The Aberystwith Observer

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELE. BRATION. TROOPING THE COLOURS. The 62nd year of the Queen was celebrated on Saturday (28th) with the accustomed loyal enthusiasm. In London the church bells rang, and the Koyal standard floated from many churches and some public offices; but the principal public ceremoney was the Trooping of tne Colours in St. James's Park, the following description of which we take from the Daily Neivs:— The British public, especially a London public, is extremely fond of a military spectacle, though it somehow happens that it rarely has the opportunity of enjoying it. There are grand field-days at Alder- shot and Royal Reviews at Windsor and Bagshot, but in London the display seldom takes higher form than a muster of volunteers. The Trooping of the Colours is one of thosa annual ceremonies that are looked for as a matter of course. More than ever of late years it has in popular regard become associated with the celebration of the Queen's birthday, and the crowds in St. James's-park on Saturday were more numerous than on any previous occasion. A very large proportion even of the privileged spectators who held tickets for the enclosure within the line of sentries on the Horse Guards Parade, could not have seen what was taking place, while the general public in the park had to be content with an additional glitter of cuirass or glimpse of scarlet uniforms, together with the magnificent mili- tary music, which is one of the special features of the event. The authorities have this year been unable to grant anything like the number of applications made for tickets, albeit the applicants required nothing but standing-room. On the roofs of all the buildings, save the Horse Guards itself, where such a desecration was not to be thought of, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, clustered and hung thick as bees in swarm. People sat upon the parapet of the Admiralty with their legs daugling over. Others held the chimney stacks in loving embrace and surveyed the scene from a giddy height. A sort of grand stand had been erected in the gardens at the rear of the Admiralty, and perhaps the spectators along this northern boun- dary had the best view of the parade-ground. A crowd, though it be composed as this was of fashion- able people, is always to a great extent selfish. How- ever, every one bore the little difficulties incident to the occasion with great good humour, and patiently persevered to the end. The Foot Guards taking part in the ceremony were upon the ground by nine o'clock, and at that hour there were thousands of spectators on the parade, and tens of thousands along the Mall and in the park outside the lines of sentries. The battalion on duty were picked men of the flank companies of the 2nd and 3rd battalion of the Grenadiers, the 2nd Coldstreams, and the 2nd Scots Guards. The massed bands, making a total of about 150 of the most accomplished military bandsmen in Europe, occupied the south-west corner of the parade ground. The troops were drawn up on the side facing the Horse Guards, the windows of which were for a long while untenanted. In the centre of the ground, pending the arrival of the Staff, a picturesque group of officers, mounted and on foot, adorned the middle distance," and amongst them, or at their posts with the troops, were General Higginson, commanding the Home District; and Colonels Methuen and Wigram in command of the Parade; Colonel Clive, Colonel Fraser, of the Scots Guards; Colonel Hume, of, the Grenadiers; Captain Campbell, and Brigade-Major the Hon. A. W. Henniker-Major. Glasses were levelled and eyes directed mostly, however, to the three windows of the Horse Guards, from which depended draperies of crimson and gold. At a few minutes to ten a move- ment amongst the troops and a shifting of the gorgeous uniforms of the bands told the spectators that their patience was about to be rewarded. The sun for the first time now shone, imparting to the scene just that warmth of colour which was wanted to make it per- fect and though it proved to be a very temporary gleam, it was hailed as a happy omen. As the clock struck ten the troops of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards were descried advancing among the trees from the direction of Marlborough House. The Secretary of State for War?drove across the ground and alighted at the Horse Guards. A gentleman in ordinary morning dress almost simultaneously ap- peared at the centre window, and it soon became known that this was the King of Sweden. Next came the Duchess of Teck and her two boys in time to see the Life Guards ride upon the ground and wheeUat the southern boundary at a clanking trot. Another lady appeared at the window, the Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lome, and a quarter of an hour later the Princess of Wales and her daughters drove across from Marlborough House, the band playing the National Anthem. The Royal party was completed by the arrival of the Duchess of Connaught and the Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Princess of Wales wore dark blue silk and velvet bonnet of the same colour with pale blue feather, and the Princess Louise black velvet, the quiet costumes of the party being in marked contrast to some of the harlequin sensations amongst the spectators below. It was nearing half-past ten before the noble pro- cession of military chiefs rode upon the ground, escorting the Royal party from Marlborough House. The Duke of Cambridge wore. the uniform of a Grenadier Guards colonel, the Prince of Wales that of the Life Guards, the Duke of Connaught that of major-general. In the distinguished train of brave men composing this brilliant staff, many of whom were decorated with whole rows of medals, were Lord Strathnairn, Sir Garnet Wolseley, Sir C. Ellice, Sir A. Alison, Sir J. Stoke, General Gallwey, and General Radcliffe. After the Royal salute and the National Anthem, the programme of the day was performed, in the order and thoroughness one has a right to expect from such a body of troops who had on the previous Tuesday gone through what may be termed a full-dress re- hearsal on the same ground. The Commander-in- Chief and his splendid Staff, with the two Princes, inspected the troops, which stood in line at the further end, the bands playing Widder's Parade March and Gounod's March Militaire." The Duke and his Staff having inspected the Duties," and pronounced them good, very good—re- turned to the saluting flag, but the majority of the Staff considerately rode to the rear of the spectators, and from that position under the Horse Guards viewed the main event of the day. The troops standing at ease, the bands marched with stately slowness along the entire length of the parade, ground, playing the march from the Huguenots. Then they returned in quick march to an arrangement from the Pirates of Penzance and the ever favourite British Grenadiers. The Queen's colours, Lieut. Wood of the. Grenadier Guards in command of the colour party, were now, according to old custom, escorted from the south to the north in slow time. At the end of the line the colours were elevated and saluted, the bands changing from the "Marehe Romaine" lo' the National Anthem. The colour party repeated the, ceremony in returning along the rear of the line, 'and once again the annual trooping of the colours was per- formed. The rain now began to fall heavily, and the parade ground was suddenly enclosed by a thick hedge of umbrellas, which completely extin- --=="" guished the no&fc&sily-hrdden bearskins of the sentries. There was, however, a march past to follow ia skTv time, led by the two squadrons of Life Gu&ras. The Grenadiers went by to the March I from S'cipio, the Coldstreams to the March from JF^tro. the Scots Guards %o the Garb of Old Gaul," ?Mid it is needless to ss,y that the marching of the troops and the performances of the massed bands were above criticism. The rain still pouring, and plumes becoming sadly draggled, and uniforms and accoutre- ments glistening v/ith wet, the troops now marched past in quick tim,), the cavalry at the trot. A Royal Salute and the Motional Anthem concluded, as they had opened, tho proceedings. The Royal Princess and the Staff, escorted by the Life Guawte, rode off the ground amidst general cheering* which was maintained along the entire route by denseraasses of damp spectators who were waiting im the hope of seeing the Princesses pass, which they soon di<S, though unfortunately in closed carriages. In the small yard of St. James's Palace a number of ladies and gentlemen were waiting to witness the ar- rival of the guard and to hear a selection of eight pieces by the combined bands under the..conductorship of Mr. Dan Godfrey. Hither, also, as fast as they could through the rain and mud came contingents of spectators from the park, for it was generally under- stood that the Prince and Princess and their,,children would appear to overlook the proceedings from the mound that abuts on Marlborough House wall. Fortunately the rain at length ceased, and about half-past twelve o'clock the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Teek annel1,rerl in a graceful setting <}f green boughs. The Princess Louise and the Royal children followed, and the whole party seated themselves at the wall within full view of the crowd, which, according to its custom; turned its back upon everything else, and stared at Royalty point blank. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Con- naught, having got rid of their uniforms, joined the party with the King of Sweden, and the last arrival was the Duke of Cambridge, whose fine form and black bearskin quite blocked up the leafy vista by which the mound is approached, and imparted to it a colour a good deal in keeping with the pink chestnut blossoms. The music of course was a.great treat, in- cluding as it did selections from Semiramide, Olivette, Tannhaiiser, Madame Favart, and Fra Diavolo.

THE ILLUMINATIONS. The illuminations by which in the West-end of London the Queen's birthday was celebrated at night were not less various and extensive than usual, but they had less political significance than last year, when the change of Ministry was shown by the transfer of the lights from the houses of the Ministers of the Con- servative Government to those of the Liberals. The rain which fell in the evening was not enough to per- ceptibly dim the brightness of the lights, but diminished the numbers of the crowd which went out to see them the throngs were greatest in Pall-mall, St. James's-street, Regent-street, Savile-row, and Bond- street; farther in the west, Lord Kenmare's V. R., wreath, and crown in naked gas blazed almost unseen in Belgrave- square. The splendid illumination in Eaton-square, two large houses lit up with pyramids of flame blazing in the balustrades on the first floor, collected crowds outside the doors through which passed the guests of the Duchess of Bedford, Mistress of the Robes. Mr. Forster's loyal device of the crown with the initials of the Queen gave unwonted brilliance to quiet EcSleston- square; and a similar display lit up the official resi- dence oj the First Lord of the Treasury in Downing- street (where the Prince of Wales dined with Mr. Gladstone), and furnished abundance of light for those who attended Lady Granville's reception at the Foreign Office opposite. -The principal clubs and many of the tradesmen's establishments were also profusely illumi- nated.

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY IN CYPRUS. Sir R. Biddulph delivered an address to those pre- sent at the reception held on Saturday in celebration of the Queen's birthday. The High Commissioner said that in a few days her Majesty would complete the forty-fourth year of her sovereignty, and that he felt quite convinced that in future ages the reign of Queen Victoria would be regarded as a happy and remarkable period in the history of England. He confidently hoped that future generations of Cypriotes would look back upon her Majesty's reign as marking an auspicious event in the history of Cyprus. Since the commence- ment of the year he had visited every district of the island, from Carpas to Papho, from Morphon to Famagusta, and he had everywhere been received with the same courtesy and kindness that he had always met with at the hands of the inhabitants. He had observed the prosperity of the country with plea- sure. The High Commissioner went on to state that the enormous increase of postal communication within Cyprus last year-the number of letters, despatched being seventeen times as great as during the yea* preceding the occupation—and the equally noteworthy increase in the number of letters forwarded abroad-these last being four times as many as those sent through the post offices in the island itself-might be regarded as a good indication of the highly satisfac- tory growth of commercial activity in Cyprus. His Excellency, in conclusion, expressed his thanks for the assistance which had been rendered him in the taking of the cenus.

THE LOSS OF THE "DOTBREL." A report on the loss of the Doterel has been furnished to he Admiralty by Commander Evans, who arrived yi London on Saturday evening. The Commander states that he anchored at Sandy Point in 8t fathoms of water on the morning of April 26th, when preparations were made for coaling. Having finished his breakfast, and given some orders, Commander Evans, in his report, says :— "1 then went into my after-cabin, and while in my bath heard a report as if a gun had gone off. I im- mediately went into the fore-cabin, the starboard side, and on looking forward saw that the ship's side was burst open in the starboard gangway, and that the upper deck in that part was forced up, twisted, and wrenched about, and the water rushing in, the ship at once heeling over to starboard. "A short time after the first explosion (about 20 or 30 seconds, as far as I can judge) there was another and much more violent explosion, shaking the ship heavily, and which I am convinced was the explosion of the fore magazine. Everything now became darkened with smoke and dtbris, and I felt that the ship was sinking rapidly. On turning round I saw the sentry getting out of my embrasure port. I then told my steward, who was close to me, to jump out I then got out myself, jumped into the water, and caught hold of some wreckage. I think I must have been sucked down by the ship, as I do not recollect anything more until I noticed that the ship had disap- peared, the water covered with wreckage and a few men clinging to it, and boats coming to our rescue. "I do not think it could have been more than three minutes from the first explosion until the ship sank. t The explosion was so sudden and destructive that it was quite impossible to lower any boats, even had there been any one to do so, the few that escaped being abaft the mainmast and saved themselves by jumping overboard. I fancy the greater number must have been killed by the explosion and falling debris, as I did not hear a cry or groan. As regards the first explosion, which occurred in the starboard gangway, I think it may have been caused by the bursting of the boiler. As before we could condense good water, it was necessary to brine the boiler well on account of the mineral oil used in the cylinders, the ship having service condensers, and it is possible that the water may have been allowed to get too low in the boiler, the crowns of the furnaces ex- posed, and on cold water being pumped in the boiler burst. If this was not the case I think it possible the coals in the starboard bunker may have become heated and generated gas or have caused spontaneous combustion. If neither of these circumstances occurred I am then at a loss to account for the first explosion, as there are no combustibles stowed in the starboard gangway, and there is little or no doubt that the shell-room, Nordenfelt, Gatlrng, and gun-cotton magazines did not explode, all oi which were abaft the mainmast. "As regards the fore-magazine, it had been opened the previous day shortly before noon, two cases of charges for the seven-pounder being taken out for skort practice and the magazine closed. "It was opened again at about 4 p.m. by the gunner, who returned the two cases and closed the magazine, and I must say he was a most careful and trustworthy officer. I do not think it possible that any fire could have existed below without an imme- diate alarm being given, as the cooks of the messes had been on the lower deck for the last twenty minutes clearing up the deck for inspection, the arms had been returned, and we were about to go to divisions. "The fore-magazine is on the port side, forward, a little abaft the foremast, and the damage done by the first explosion was in the starboard gangway, a little before the mainmast. I do not think it possible that the first explosion could have emanated from the magazine. I left Lieutenant Stokes at Sandy-point in charge of the wreck and to bury any bodies that 'night come to the surface, and also to employ a diver who happened to be there about a wreck, and, if possible, to "obtain a clue to the disaster, and to remain until he received further instructions. "Three bodies were recovered and buried on the day? of the disaster—namely, Blackmore, chief boats- •wain'g; m^te, ;> Nicholls, able seaman; and Hayes, ordinstrS' seaman. Owing to the Suddenness of this disaster no records o!' th6 ship were saved. Every kindness and attention was shown to us by the authorities and inhabitants of Sandy-point. I regret that I am not able to give a more satisfactory and —■■■«« mniiww»-s iefinite explanation of this disaster, which to me is a mystery,"

The carpenter of the ship, Mr. Baird, says :—" I was on the quarter-deck, and had just been looking at two men I had making a ladder there, when I saw Lieutenants Creagh and Forrest in the starboard gangway. We had a- little laugh together about the smell of some varnish, and I went away, when suddenly I heard a loud explosion, and felt myself going up into the air. I must have gone about ten feet, and fell upon the deck, with my face scalded, and my hands, legs, and arms hurt. I rolled under the lee of the dingy, for I saw pieces of wreck falling all round me, and then I heard another explosion, and found the ship sinking. I saw that I must jump into the water, and I did so, diving at the same time to escape the pieces. I kept belo^w as long as I could, and then I came up, and was striking out for the shore, which was only a mile and a half dis- tant, when I was picked up by the missionaries' boat. I was much hurt. My left eye was almost burst by the second explosion, and is still discharging, while my face and ears, as you see, are still bad. My clothes were literally cut to pieces. As regards Lieutenants Creagh and Forrest, I have no doubt death was instantaneous. My two men whom I had been superintending saved themselves by jumping as I did. I saw very little when in the water except falling pieces. There was no noise of shrieking." Two sealers sent out assistance immediately the explosions were heard, but it is notable that not a single person from the forepart,of the vessel or from the ward-room escaped. The men must have been blown to pieces or drowned, but from the state of the three bodies picked up there is too much reason to fear that their deaths were painful. The chief and the second engineers, also below, were both lost.

The survivors of the Doterel, or, rather, ten out of twelve of them, reached Portsmouth on Monday evening, by train from Liverpool. The names of the seamen are Pengelly, Trout, Ford, Walters, Sum- mers, Smith, and Turner. The first-named belongs to Portsmouth, and the meeting between him and his relations was very affecting.

The survivors of the Doterel disaster have gone on a fortnight's leave of absence. The men have been supplied free of expense with new kits and compensa- tion is to be allowed the officers for their losses in pro- portion to their rank.

The Oow&spondent of the Standard, writing from Bor- deaux, says t— Singular as it may seem that out of a large ship's company so small a number should escape alive after the 'explosion, I cannot but think, after hearing the narratives of the survivors, that it is even more won- derful that any of those actually on board should have escaped at all. One or two were blown over the side into the sea; one was hurled some twelve feet into the air, and falling on the deck rolled under the hammock netting and was so sheltered from the falling frag- ments. Two of the party were taken down to the bottom with the sinking ship entaniled in ropes and sails, and their rescue was marvellous indeed. The boiler explosion theory is that which appears to be held by all. The sound, of the first explosion came, it is agreed by all who heard it, from the direc- tion of the starboard boiler, which was at work con- densing water. It is singular that none of the survivors appear to have any recollection of what occurred to their comrades after the first explosion. Pengelley and Turnen were below, and had just received into the armoury the arms which the men had been cleatiing. The crew, after giving in their arms, were mustering in divi- sions, but Pengelley and Turnen, although they suc- ceeded in making their way up from below, appear to have no distinct idea of what occurred, or of the fate of their comrades.

In connection with the loss of the Doterel, The Times has published the following: Sir,—The two enclosed extracts from letters just received by us may be of interest to your readers. The letters are written by the Rev. Thomas Bridges, our missionary at Ooshooia, in Terra del Fuego, and by Captain Willis, the master of the society's mission yawl, both eye-witnesses of this terrible disaster.-Your obedient servant, li. J. SIMPSON, Clerical Secretary, South American Missionary Society, 11, Serjeant's-inn, Fleet-street, London, May 30. "The Allen Gardiner, Sandy Point, April 2t, 1881. Dear Sir,- I was towed through the first narrows by her Majesty's ship Doterel and anchored at dark on the 22nd. Since then this vessel foundered by explosion within 200 yards of the Allen Gardiner. We were laymg alongside of the R. Kelloclc, loading, when she anchored near us, intending to coal by lighter. A few- minutes after the port visit had left her we were astounded by a loud report. On looking towards her I saw a mass of densely black smoke and the air filled with debris of all descriptions, which fell on our deck and all around us, and even on shore. One piece of iron, perhaps 301b., fell through the house-deck of the, R. Kellock, and something else through a lighter being towed for coals; A violent wave or two dashed the Allen Gardiner alongside the hulk, start- ing our port rail off four or five stanchions. Crockery and skylight were broken, and the forecastle floor, which is movable, thrown upward to the deck. We were mercifully preserved; had the explosion come horizontally, nothing, humanly speaking, could have saved us or Sandy Point. It is supposed the boiler burst and tore open the magazine. As soon as the debris ceased falling, I went with two men and a lifebuoy in a boat towards the vortex, through numerous pieces of wreck, hammocks, &c. At first no human being was to be seen or heard, but eventually I saw two or three, whom we rescued-Lieutenant Stokes, Paymaster Colburn, Engineer Walker, and the carpenter. By this time other boats had arrived and picked up the captain and some seven men and three corpses, all that remained of that noble crew. I took these four on board, as two were somewhat exhausted, and did all that was necessary for them. I think all but the lieutenant, who will be left in charge, go to Montevideo by to-day's mail. How true it is we know not what a day may bring forth J. C. T. WILLIS, Captain, Allen Gardiner Mission Vessel. Captain Poulden, R.N." Sandy Point, April 37, 1881. My Dear Friend,-On the 25th I breakfasted aboard the yawl, as I was there occupied seeing to the goods that were to be received. About nine a.m. Her Majesty's ship Doterel came in and anchored close by us, intending to take in coal from the hulk. The usual visit from the shore had been paid, and after the two boats which had been alongside had returned to the shore, we being then busy taking in cargo, there was a terrific noise, and on looking round I could see nothing but a compact cloud of black smoke, with ce' pieces of wood and iron, hammocks, and human beings above and around it. The hull immediately sank, and the 'brave Doterel was no more. All hands were aboard, but not a soul from the shore. Before the swell caused by the submersion reached us our captain was in his boat with two hands to pick up any survivors. He was very happy in rescuing four, who happened to be all officers. Other boats were quickly there, and eight others were picked up, and these 12 are all doing well. Our four were brought aboard, where we did all we' could for them and put two of them to bed. Most grateful were they for their wonderful deliverance. None of the 12 are seriously hurt; all are doing well. Later three corpses were picked up, as well as sundry loose limbs. These were placed in one coffin, and at 4.45 p.m. yesterday, in presence of a large concourse, I read our burial service over them. "We, at the time of the accident, being lashed to the hulk, received from her some damage. The two vessels began rolling heavily, and our vessel's rail was lifted and forced inwards, and some of the easing was injured and some glass in the skylight brokerf. A barge just ahead of the hulk which was about to coal the Doterel was shot by a grenade or ball, and sank immediately, and several cannons went off. So we were in the midst of danger and were mercifully delivered.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISASTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS. The Western Morning News has received from a Spanish correspondent at Patna Arenas, Straits of Magellan, a descrip- tion of the blowing up of the Doterel, from a shore stand- point. lie says The weather was fine and tolerably calm, and the Doterel was proudly lying in the middle of the bay, surrounded by small vessels. Her gong sounded ten o'clock, and the clocks on shore were righted by it; two minutes afterwards there was a horrible deto- nation, succeeded by an enormous shaking. It was like an earthquake, and frightened everybody. The first impulse was to get into the streets, where nothing was to be seen but people running in different directions seeking the cause of the noise. Then all eyes were directed towards the water, and oh! horror, on the space which the Dotercl had occupied was an immense body of smoke, fire, and objects of different forms, the sea was covered with an infinitv of objects. The small vessels which surrounded the Doterel was agitated and scattered in all directions, as if by a hurricane. One of the launches, 300 metres from the catas- trophe, received a blow from a heavy object which pierced her through from side to side, and she went to the bottom. The deck of the Government pon- toon was covered by falling objects, one of which was a piece of iron 701bs. in weight. A ship's yardarm fell alongside the quay, and one ball pierced right through the roof of a house. The fact that the Doterel had blown up immediately became apparent. There was a cry to save the ship- wrecked. A number of boats were launched by many a strong arm and rowed towards where the dense smoke was. In fact, the enthusiasm to render assistance was so great that some launched their boats without oars in them. The smoke disappeared and no Doterel was to be seen. In her place there were nothing but fragments. However, a boat was seen drawing near to the shore, and another boat directed its course to the pontoon, and a third boat also came towards the land. The first boat contained a. man completely naked, with his body covered with blood from an infinity of wounds, which fortunately-were slight. This man, of slight, gentle- manly appearance, was the commander. Three boats and then four boats came to shore, and they were re- ceived by the people, who were enthusiastic with joy, and vied one with another to render help. Half-an- hour later all the boats that had put out returned to the shore, and on the-countenances of their conductors could be the sadness which oppressed them, in -0l:Io consequence of the small, "result of their researches for in all they had been o^ly able to rescue twelve lives and some human fragments, which were buried in our cemetery. All was now over, nothing remaining but the sad recollection of what was once the Doterdl.

ltisttllantDltS HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. THOROUGHNESS.—Aunt Matilda: "And do you study geography, Janet?" Janet: "Geography. I shouldtfrinkso, indeed Aunt Matilda: "Where's Glasgow?" Janet: "Glasgow? Oh, we haven't got as far as that. We've only got as far as Asial '— Pnnrh. NEW SOUTH WALES.—The Agent General for New South Wales has received a telegram from his Govern- ment stating that the Revenue of the Colony shows a jonsiderable increase, and that the receipts for the jresent year up to the end of May exceed the corres- ponding period of last year by £676,000. The Revenue 'or 1880 was £4,912,000. The Treasurer's estimate for ;he present year was £5,440,000, an increase of 6528,000. This estimate has already been exceeded by "actual receipts of £ 147,000, and it is confidently anticipated that this year's revenue will reach, if not exceed, £ 6,000,000. The Census shows a population )f 750,000, or an increase during the decade of 250,000. KILLED BY LIGHTNING.-On Saturday afternoon, during a sharp thunderstorm, a miner named James M'Ghee, residing It a colliery at Newton, near Glasgow, and two of his children were struck by the lightning while sitting indoors. The man was so badly injured that he died in a few minutes. The children, who were sitting beside him, escaped the full force of the blow, and are expected to recover. The wife and the other members of the family sitting in another apartment escaped altogether unhurt. An adjoin- ing house was also struck by lightning and considerably damaged. SIX PERSONS DROWNED WHILE BATHING.—Six persons were drowned while bathing, in Scotland on Saturday afternoon. Alexander and James Simpson, two brothers belonging to Glasgow, were drowned at Garelochead.-Two soldiers, William Low and Robert Brown, were drowned at Aberdeen; a boy named James Burton was drowned in the Clyde; and Thomas Henderson was drowned at Lanark. The weather was very warm. THE RAIL PRODUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES.— From the complete returns obtained by the Secretary of the American Iron and Steel Association, it appears that the production of rails of all kinds in the United States in 1880 exhibits a remarkable increase over previous years, reaching the enormous amount of nearly £ 1,250,000 net tons. Of these nearly two-thirds were Bessemer steel rails-of which 40 per cent. more were manufactured than in the previous year. Nearly 'a half the quantity of rails of all kinds were produced in Pennsylvania, and 22 per cent. in Illinois, in which State, famous for its lead mines, and possessing in its southern portion' abundance of iron ores, the metal manufactures seem to be rapidly extending.— Iron. PORT IT IS.—A large trade in wine and spirits is said to be carried on in all the passenger pleasure- steamers which run on our seas. The trade in wine, when the weather is at all rough, we can easily assume to be great. Nearly every one would then be asking for" Port. "-Fun. SUNSHINE IN AUSTRALIA — A 'Correspondent in Victoria writes :—I asked our minister's wife (she comes from Greenock) how she liked the climate. "Too much sunshine," she replieaj; "I hate this per- petual sunshine." This is just my own case. We have had 130 degrees for the last two days. I would give £ 5 for a day in the teeth of a westerly squall. I liked the sunshine at first, but now I am wearied of the everlasting blue and glare. Get me a little fresh air!" THE MIXTURE AS BEFORE.—Doctor.—" Well, Mr. Giles, is the missus taking the medicine I sent yesterday*?" Farmer Giles.—"Takun' it? She've took it! Sent me for some mooar! Cos why ? I mixtees it in rum shrub Tell 'ee wot! Yew doctors 'ud maake a dale mooar if ye allus mixed 'un noice and tasty loike "-Fun. THE BORROWED HAT. — An amusing incident occurred in the House of Commons the other night. Mr. Gladstone, on rising, was received with loud shouts of Order It was necessary, according to the rules of the House, to raise the question whilst seated with his hat on. This was suggested to him, a proposal which he declined, because he was not in the habit of bringing his hat with him into the House. The clamour continuing, the Solicitor-General, who was sitting near to the right hon. gentleman, took off his hat and placed it on the head of the Premier. This procedure was hailed with loud laughter and prolonged cheering from all parts of the House, which was renewed and continued when it was discovered that the hat was several sizes too small, and that it was only by great dexterity that the Premier was able to balance it over his brows. This he succeeded in doing whilst he raised his point of order. THE CONSUMPTION OF MUSHROOMS IN PARIS.— Men will do without gold, without silver, without a toga, without the purple cloak, but they won't do without mushrooms (says the Court Journal). The Roman poet who wrote these lines exaggerated some- what, but even in our day the mushroom holds its place on our tables. In Russia, Poland, and Western Prussia the mushroom is one of the principal edibles, and the Parisians consume more than 2,000fr. worth of champignons per day. The mushroom is grown ex- tensively in the environs of Paris, and rich and poor patronise the plant which the great Bertillon called une viande vegetale." ANNOUNCEMENT. -When people speak of "weighty words," it is often objected that a word can have no weight. Still, it is impossible to deny that the word "an is a quarter of an-no-un.ce.-Funny Folks. THE CZAR OF RUSSIA. -The Pall Mall Gazette says :-The following extract from a letter from a Russian correspondent who, it ought to be stated, sympathises warmly with the Slavophile Ministers who now surround the Czar, may not be without in- terest The Emperor is the best man we could desire, and such a good Russian, For the present we are afraid of every kind of Parliament. No possible representative institution would be as useful as the autocratic power. Until this anarchic fever is over, we dread every change in the representative sense. Unity of power' is the watchword to-day in Russia. We want io party fights, but only one, great powerful united national party with the Emparor as our only representative. We Russians hate half-measures. The absolute union between the monarch and the people is of vital importance, and by that means we shall develop reforms the seed of which is to be found in our history, our traditions, and our character." THE COURT AT BALMORAL.—Her Majesty the Queen gave a ball on Friday night in last week to the servants, tenants, and gillies on the Balmoral and Abergeldie estates in honour of her birthday. The Queen, the Princess Beatrice, the Princesses Victoria and Eliza- beth of Hesse, and Mince Leopold were present.—On Saturday morning the Queen and Royal family walked out; in the atternoon her Majesty, accompanied by the Princess Victoria of Hesse, drove, and Princess Beatrice and Princess Elizabeth rode out. The weather was delightful. The Very Rev. Principal Caird arrived at the Castle on Saturday, and had the honour of being included in the Royal dinner party. On Sunday forenoon Principal Caird preached in the Castle in presence of the Queen and Court. He sub- sequently preached in Crathie parish church, but none of the Royal family attended. There was a large number of strangers present. MOSQUITOES IN BELGRAVIA. Mosquitoeg% (the Morning Post says) have made their apoearance in South Belgravia, London. Mr. O'Shaughnessy, M.P., was stung by one of these insects the other day, and, erysipelas supervening was prevented from attending to his parliamentary duties. It is believed that the mosquitoes have been brought to this country in the luggage of American travellers. DEATH OF THE EMPRESS-REGENT OF CHINA.-At Peking, on the night of the 8th of April, suddenly died the Eastern Empress," ruler of a third of the human race. The deceased Empress was the first or legitimate wife of the Emperor Hsien Fung. At her death she was, it appears, only forty-five years of age much younger than was generally supposed. Her ill- ness was of only a few hours' duration; and she is said to have died of heart-disease. The event bears greater importance from the fact that her colleague in the regency, the "Western Empress" (second wife of Hsien Fung and mother of the late boy-Emperor Tung Chi), has for some time been seriously ill, and, by last accounts was not expected to live FATAL MISADVENTURE.—On Saturday morning Mr. William Longshaw, jun., about 30 years of age, member of the firm of Longshaw and Sons, Warring- ton, met with his death under shocking circumstances. He attended his place of business at his usual time, and there appeared to be nothing peculiar in his demeanour. About 11 o'clock he drank from a btttle which contained carbolic acid, but which he supposed contained beer. He was driven rapidly to the War- rington Infirmary, but died immediately after ad- mission. —n 1 THE V#TE ON "DERBY DAY."—Three hundred and sixty-five members (exclusive of Speaker and tellers) voted on Tuesday night on Air. P-. Power's motion for the adjournment of the House of Commons over Derby Day. Sir W. Harcourt, who, in the ab- sence of the Premier and of Lord Hartmgton, acted as leader, opposed the motion, as did several subordinate members of the Government, but Sir Stafford North- cote, Colonel Stanley, Sir R. Cross, Mr. W. H. Smith, and Lord J. Manners supported the adjournment. Mr. W. H. Gladstone and Mr. Herbert Gladstone voted against the Derby, as did Mr. Biggar. Of the Home Rule party, 32 voted for adjournment and seven against. The Premier left the House before the divi- sion. REVIEW IN BERLIN.—On Monday the Emperor William held the usual grand spring review of the broops stationed in and around Berlin. The troops, [lumbering over 20,000 men, were under the command of Prince Augustus of Wurtemburg. The Emperor, who was in the best of spirits and health, seemed greatly pleased at the fine appearance of the troops. His Majesty has for some time past held special in- spections of individual regiments, and his often been for two or three hours in the saddle without showing any signs of fatigue. CON. FROM TUNIS.—Q. What colour would Frenc sport-men bet against just now ?—A. The Bey.— Punch. "MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY."—A valuable wood, moun- tain mahogany, grows in Virginia, U.S. It is of a rich red hue, and very hard; while, when used for fuel, it produces such intense heat as to burn out stoves. more rapidly than any coal. After blazing as long as a log of ordinary wood, this mahogany becomes con- verted into charcoal lasting twice the time. COPYRIGHT IN CHINA AND JAPAN.-The subject of an international copyright between China and Japan is now under consideration. Chinese authors com- plain that their works are not only printed in Japan, but that cheap editions of them are imported into China and sold to their detriment. Indeed, Japan stands in relation to China on this head in almost the same position as the United States do to this country, It is worthy of note that Chinese authors have per- petual copyright in their productions, and that any infringer of an author's right is punished by receiving 100 blows and being transported for three years.— Athenceum. ETON COLLEGE.—According to the list for the pre- sent Midsummer school time Eton College remains in a flourishing condition. In the sixth form there are 20 fifth form 554-; remove, 209 fourth form, 102 and third form, 3; giving a grand total of 888 students. Among the noblemen and gentlemen now being educated at the school there are a duke, an earl, 26 lords, two princes, two counts, five baronets, and 44 honourables, the register including the names of the Duke of Newcastle, Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Prince Victor Duleep Singh, the Earl of Ancrum, Count de Salis, Count Dudley, Beaumont Gurowski, Count de Haro, Lord R. Cecil, Lord H. Cavendish Bentinck, Lord"Kenyon, Lord Skelmersdale, Lord W. Cavendish Bentinck, Lord Aspley, Lord H. Fitz- gerald, Lord W. Gordon-Lennox, Lord Albert Osborne, Lord Douglas Compton, Lord Newtown Butler, Lord F. Pelham-Clinton, Lord Ennismore, Lord Erskine, Lord Deerhurst, Lord Rosehill, Lord Porchester, Lord Royston, Lord J. Thynne, Lord E. Cecil, Lord J. Cecil, Lord Ednam, Lord Molyneux, Lord Southampton, Lord Ashtown, and Lord Garloch, Sir R. Gresley, Sir H. Lawrence, Sir J. Duke. Sir J. Stirling-Maxwell, and Sir R. Hare. THE NATIVE SUPPLY OF SALMON. — What may be done by legislative enactments in the way of increas- ing our natj ve supply of saluion is strikingly shown in Mr. Walpole's recent Report. In 1861, when the Acts for regulating the salmon fisheries were passed, the produce of our fisheries was at so low a point that even three years later it had only reached the total value of £18,000. The Fence Act was passed in 1863, and in 1865 Mr. Ashworth, a competent writer, placed the value at £ 30,000. Since then further enactments have improved the regulations, with such happy results that for some years past the produce has been estimated at £ 100,000. Great as this increase. (says Mr. Walpole) it would have been much greater if the drainage of land and the increase of river pollution had not made improvement in many cases impossible, or actually reversed the progress which in other .cases had been made. INSTINCTIVE CRITICISM.—An amusing story is told of a young Parisian artist, who painted a portrait of a duchess, with which her friends were not satisfied—de- claring that it was totally unlike. The painter how- ever was convinced he had succeeded admirably, and proposed that the question of resemblance or no re- semblance be left to a little dog belonging to the duchess, which was agreed to. Accordingly the picture was sent to the hotel of the lady next day, and a large party assembled to witness the test. The dog was called in, and no sooner did he see the por- trait than he sprang upon it, licked it all over, and showed every demonstration of the greatest joy. The triumph of the painter was complete, and all present insisted that the picture had been retouched during the night, which was actually so—the painter having rubbed it over with a thin coating of lard The dog's nose was sharper than the critic's eyes. THE ^ESTHETICS OF THE WINDOW.—In some valuable hints respecting window decoration, the Pottery Gazette says :—" If a window commands a lovely view, let it if possible be formed of but few sheets (if not very large, of one sheet) of plate glass; for the works of God are more worthy of contemplation, with their ever-changing beauty, than the works of man but if a window commands only a mass of bricks and mortar inartistically arranged, let it, if possible, be formed of coloured glass, having beauty of design manifested by the arrangement of its parts. A window should never appear as a picture, with parts treated in light and shade. The foreshortening of the parts, and all perspective treatments, are best avoided. I do not say that the human figure, the lower animals, and plants must not be delineated upon window glass, for, on the contrary, they may be so treated Is not only to be beautiful, but also to be a consistent decoration of glass; but this I do say, that many stained windows are utterly spoiled through the window being treated as a picture, and not as a protection from the weather and as a source of light." "CRISPING PINS."—A correspondent of Notes and Queries, writing on the subject of Crisping Pins," Isaiah iii. 22 says :—These are usually explained to be curling irons for the hair," but, so far from viewing them as synonymous terms, I apprehend them to be distinct articles for the toilet, unlike in form and in- capable of being applied to one and the same use. And just as Richardson (Diet., vol. i. Supp.) has defined a "corking pin" to be "a large pin, used to fasten a lady's headdress to a mould of cork," so a crisping pin I consider to be a pin for fastening a crisp to a head- dress, and the crisp to be an ornamental band of either plain or embroidered material appended to the head- dress and dependent; and in a woodcut of a Latin version of the Scriptures now before me, printed at Lyons by John Marion in 1520, Judith is represented as wearing such an ornament. Crisp as a substantive does not occur in any dictianary to which I have access, but I once possessed a metrical version of the book of Judith by Thomas Hudson, who has thus de- scribed an act performed by her when she set forth herself" Upon her head a silver crispe she pin'd, Loose flowing on her shoulders with the wind." CALIFORNIAN FRUIT ORCHARDs.-The oldest fruit' orchard in California, according to the Sacra- mento Weekly Mirror, is at San Juan, in San Benito county. The pear trees in it have grown to great size, having been planted about 1775, and still bear an abundance of fruit of excellent quality. In the same county are some almond trees that were planted fifty years ago, and continue to yield plenty of nuts. A NARROW ESCAPE.—A few days ago the Arch- duchess Isabella was driving on the road which runs by the bank of the Danube from Wilhering to Linz. The road passes for some distance at the foot of a steep cliff, which rises to a considerable height above the river. Some time ago a quarry was opened on the face of the cliff, and an entrenchment or sloping dike was thrown up to protect the road from any stones which might roll down from the quarry above. Exactly, as the carriage of the archduchess was pass- ing the quarry, a huge block became detached, and bounded clear over the dike, but fortunately fell in the soft ditch which lay between the dike and the road. It fell from a height of over 43 yards, and was esti- mated to weigh over two tons. The archduchess was for a time almost paralyzed at recognizing the terrible danger from which she had had so narrow an escape. Her husband, the Archduke Frederick, was following in another carriage behind. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN.-The following are the average prices of British corn for the week ending May 28, as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise :—Wheat, 44s. lid. barley, 31s. 9d. oats, 24s Id. per imperial qr. Corresponding week last year:- Wheat, 44s. lid. barley, 30s. 4d.; oats, 25s. ld. YACHTING IN FRANCE. According to a return which has been prepared by a committee of French yachtsmen, it appears that there are now 103 steam- yachts, 1,073 sailing-schooners, and 8,192 pleasure- boats, with a tctal burden of 24,105 tons and an ap- proximate value of JE550,000, on the registers. The numbers of persons employed in them, exclusive of the owners, is 3,391, while the number of members belonging to the different sailing clubs is 11,476. These clubs give away nearly J624,000 a year in prizes, and spend about £140,000 in other ways. Out of the eighty-six departments of France, forty-two have either yacht or boating clubs and at all these clubs the flags have been floating half-mast high as a sign of mourning for the late Admiral La Roncifere le Noury, who was president of the Yacht Club de France, and who did very much to popularize this pastime through- out the country. jjlj No NEW ACT OF PARLIAMENT REQUIRED.—A very w remarkable discovery has just been made in respect to-* a Bill long familiar in the last Parliament, and which has found a place on the orders of the present (says the Daily News). It will be remembered how persistently Mr. Wheelhouse pressed the Deaf-Mutes Education Bill on the attention of the late House. Mr. Wheel- house not finding a place in-the new Parliament, the Bill was taken up by Mr. Woodall, who, in going into the matter, has discovered that the object sought to be attained by this much disputed measure is already achieved by various existing statutes, and that the Bill, had it become law, would merely have authorised what is already legal.