The Aberystwith Observer

QUESTION QUESTION!! Punning is said to be the lowest form of wit; it must surely, therefore, be the foundation of all wit. Young ladies, we all know, are very fond of using powder is this done in order that they may go off ? When very dyspeptic people eat duck, is it because they are geese themselves ? Ked ribbons, we know, are quite common in France. Is this because their name is—Legion ? There has been a great deal (too much) talked about "Woman's Mission" of late by the shrieking sisterhood; did they, by any chance, ever hear that woman's true mission is—submission ? When distance lend enchantment to the view, did he do so with the understanding that he was to have it back again ?—Jwdy.

TELEGRAPH CLERKS AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Central Committee at Liverpool has issued an appeal from the provincial telegraph clerks to the members of the House of Commens, in which they unanimously and un- hesitatingly condemn the Postmaster-General's scheme of revision on the following grounds Because, although their claim to be considered per- manent clerks in the Civil Service of the Crown is undisputed and indisputable, they are still denied that scale of salary, rising from SSO per annum to £200 per annum, which the Playfair Com- mission recommended. Because £130 per annum, or tl6 per annum above the present maximum, is the nighest salary attainable, and the same scale of salary is now given to sorters of letters in the Post Office, whose work requires far less education, intelli- gence, and skill. Because a system of classification is retained, against which the strongest protest of the telegraph clerks was raised, which, according to the Postmaster-General's own confession, has been the cause of the present inadequate salaries paid in the Telegraph Department, and which will effectually prevent the great majority of the staff from ever attaining a salary higher than 38s. per week. Because seventeen years must elapse before a clerk entering the service at 12s. per week can obtain a salary of 3Ss. per week, beyond which he can never expect to rise. Because Sunday duty, of eight hours in four weeks, is still demanded without remunera- tion, and can be claimed to the extent of two hours on every Sunday in the year. Because the payment for overtime is calculated at the rate of seven days, or fifty hours, per week, instead of six days, or forty- eight hours, per week, although in every other field of labour the payment for such duty is far in excess of that given for ordinary work."

THE GOLDEN AXE OF ASHANTEE. The Daily Telegraph notices the presentation to Her Majesty of the Golden Axe of Ashantee in a leader, from which we take the following Captain Barrow has brought to England and pre- sented to Her Majesty the Queen, at Windsor, the latest homage cf a barbaric Prince to the power of Britain, in the shape of the celebrated golden axe of Ashanti. The fame of this singular instrument must, of course, be accounted relative and local; since until the day before yesterday, very few Europeans may have been aware that the King of Ashanti possessed a golden axe at all. In that country the axe enjoys all the greater celebrity because nobody knows anything definite concerning its history. The origin of a palladium should always be enveloped in obscurity, and there should be at least half-a-dozen conflicting accounts of it. Thus, the most ancient and sacred statue of the goddess Minerva which Pausanias saw in the Erichtheum at Athens was not, according to some classical authorities, the original Palladium three cubits high, which, as we all know, fell from the sky before the tent of Ilus, while he was building the citadel of Ilium. The Greeks, always a crafty and vain-glorious race, pretended that Ulysses. and Diomedes assisted by the treacherous Helenus, succeeded in stealing the statue of the God- dess, and ultimately contended that the true Palladium was conveyed safe and sound by Æneas from Troy to Italy, and that it was afterwards pre- served by the Romans in the Temple of Vesta, but in a place known only to the Vestal Virgins. Similarly doubt and dimness veil the beginnings of the Ashanti golden axe. The people themselves have a vague belief that the instrument was wielded as a weapon of war by a bygone King who reigned at a very remote period, "long before the invention of guns and gunpowder." At all events, the relic would seem to have been held from time immemorial in the deepest veneration by the troublesome but not wholly unintelligent tribe of savages on the Gold Coast, who have a legend that when the Great Spirit created man he made him dual -a white man and a black-and gave the pair a choice of two gifts. One comprised all the treasures of the tropics, the fruitful trees, the fertile soil, the warm sun, and a calabash full of gold dust. The second gift was simply a quantity of white paper, ink, and pens. The black man chose heat, abundant pumpkin, and the crock of gold. The white man chose Knowledge. Hence, argue the Ashantis, the superiority of the European over the negro. Until the time of its surrender to the Queen of I Great Britain and Ireland, the golden axe of Ashanti was regarded as so precious an object that it was kept for safety in the edifice called the "Bantamah," on the right of the royal stool of state, of which, in the annual ceremonial processions that take place at Coo- massie, the axe, carried by one of the chief eaboceers takes precedence. It is covered with leopard skin, as an emblem of valour, the Ashantis being of opinion that the beast which once figured as the heraldic cog- nisance of English Royalty, and which the obseouious numismatists of Napoleon I. figured on a medal in the act of tearing the Treaty of Amiens to pieces, is the most courageous of all animals, the lion not excepted. The gold of the axe signifies wealth; and the Chauvinist section of the Ashanti race are thus traditionally led to believe that they are in- vincibly brave, and that they have an inexhaustible abundance of money wherewith to carry on their Ya £ s- Aj ^r.st< an^ not unnaturally, the King of Ashanti declined to give up his golden axe; but, ceding at length to continuous pressure from Cape Coast Castle, he assembled his chiefs and people in a grand palaver at Coomassie, and sought a plebiscitum" with regard to the Palladum of Ashanti. The popular vote was practically to the effect that, all things considered, it would be for the best, perhaps, to give up the auriferous hatchet to the buckras." But," urged the sable and disconsolate Monarch, "this axe is an emblem of such high sovereignty that if I yield it up, and it is kept by the white men on the coast, I shall have lost all the power which I possessed, and my neighbours will laugh at me." We can sympathise with the unhappy black King shrinking from a sacrifice of "prestige" and dread* ing the derisive Ya-ya's!" of his rivals in Dahomey, and the potential finger of scorn pointed at him by the Fantis. In this distressing conjuncture subtle diplomacy, represented for the nonce by a cunning caboceer or an ancient fetish man of owl-like wisdom, stepped in. There was no need for the axe to be ignominously relinquished to the white men on the coast, where if seen, his Majesty would be liable to laughed at by the Fantis and other scoffers. Let the King send the trophy to his good friend Captain Barrow, in order that it might be presented as a free gift to the Queen of England. His Majesty jumped- possibly he danced-at the judicious suggestion. Then said he to his great chief Achampong, On that condition I will give it to you to be carried to my good friend," and on these terms Achampong handed in person, the golden axe to Captain Barrow..

A large and enthusiastic meeting of the Leeds tele- graph clerks was held on Saturday night, when the following resolutions were adopted unanimously: That this meeting, having considered the scheme of the Postmaster-G-eneral, is of opinion that it is totally inadequate to remove the existing grievances, and declines to accept it as a settlement of the questions at issue." That this meeting regrets that the Lords of the Treasury should have thought it necessary to assume a threatening attitude towards the telegraph clerks, and expresses the determination to avail itself of the constitutional rights of the members as citizens to obtain a satisfactory settlement."

The Dublin telegraph clerks, male and female, held a meeting on Saturday evening, when the following resolution was unanimously carried: "That this meeting, having carefully considered the scales of pay to be awarded under the new scheme, is of opinion that they are totally inadequate, and declines to accept them as a settlement."

REPORTERS AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. There is a great commotion (says a correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette) in the world of the reporters at the House of Commons. The Times, it seems, has asked that in the distribution of additional accommodation The Times may be assigned a room in which its fifteen or sixteen reporters may write their reports free from the interruptions of the common writing rooms. These are now in a perpetual state of disturbance from the movements of so many reporters and messengers, and the practice of many reporters to sit together in groups, read their notes to each ether, and discuss audibly the phraseology ef reports which are sup- posed to be written independently. The request of The Times is being resisted by resolution, by memorial, by personal appeal to members. A com- parison of the reports in last Saturday's newspapers vindicates the strength of the claim made by The Times. In Saturday's papers the lengths of the re- ports were-Daily News, 2% cols. Telegraph, 3J; Chronicle, 4i; Post, 6|; Standard, 6|; Advertiser, 7: 4 Times, 17."

BUSINESS NOTICES. ESTABLISHED 1826. THOMAS WHITE, (Son and suceessor to the late Elizabeth White,) MANUFACTURING LAPIDARY AND JEWELLER, EGYPTIAN HOUSE, TERRACE ROAD, AND YORK HOUSE, MARINE TERRACE, ABERYSTWYTH. A splendid collection of Jewellery of the newest designs, comprising Necklets, Brooches, Ear Rings, &o., GEM AND OTHER RINGS. ALWAY8IN ST°COLI) CHINA IN GREAT VARIETY C8P" ANYTHING NOT IN STOCK MADE TO ORDER. DEALER IN SILVER AND ELECTRO PLATE. N.B.-No connection with any other firm in the town the same name. GILDING AND ELECTRO PLATING. Beach Stones and other Pebbles Slico into Slabs, Drilled, and Cut into any Shape or Form. Cabinets, Tables, &c., inlaid. Church Decorations. ALL WORK DONE ON THE PREMISES. FLANNEL! FLANNEL!! FLANNEL! For] Real WELSH FLANNEL, WOOLLEN DRESSES, CLOTH, SHAWLS, i KNITTING, YARN STOCKINGS, &c., try the WELSH FLANNEL DEPOT TERRACE ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH. JOHN EDWARDS & Co., Proprietors. All GOODS marked in plain figures at last year's prices. Agents for L. ELLIS & Co., Dyers, Bleachers, and Muslin Curtain Finishers, Birkenhead TERMS, CASH. ROBERT ELLIS, PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST, TERRACE ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH. HAS REMOVED to the Apothecaries Hall Lately occupied by Mr J. H. Davies which are more convenient and commodious premises. PHILIP WILLIAMS, PRINTER, 45, BRIDGE STREET, ABERYSTWYTH, BEGS to return his most sincere thanks to the Public generally, for the very liberal support he has re- ceived for so many years as Printer, Bookseller, and Stationer. He further begs to intimate that he hoa „mnT„a from 12 Bridge Street, to the above more commodious and extensive premises, where he will BUSINESS as hitherto; aid where, ,11 order, for Bookjork (English or Welsh), Posters in various sizes, Programmes, Cards Circulars, Billheads, Memorandums, &c^ &c., will be DromPtly executed, and at at reasonable prices. A large number of English and Welsh Books, school Books, Account Books, &c., in Stock after the late Public Sale. PLEASE OBSERVE THE ADDRESS.-45. BRIDGE STREET, ABERYSTWYTH. fThe Cambrian Enamelled Slate Works, LLANBADAIIN ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH. JAMES WILLIAMS & Co., Proprietors. MANUFACTURERS OF Plain and Ornamental Slate Chimney Pieces, Fenders, Baths, Cisterns, Milk Coolers/ Urinals, Lavatories, Mangers, Cattle Troughs, Dairy, Larder, and Wine Cellar Shelves, Window Sills, Door Steps, Hearth Stones, Floorings, Skirtings. And every description of Slate Work. Roofing Slates of all sizes always in Stock. Also Marble and Granite Monuments, &c., &c. RHEIDOL FOUNDRY, MORFA MAWR, ABERYSTWYTH, WILLIAMS AND METCALFE, ENGINEERS, IRON AND BRASS FOUNDERS, MANUFACTURERS OF PUMPING, WINDING, CRUSHING, AND DRESSING MACHINERY FOR MINES STEAM ENGINES, BOILERS, INJECTORS, &c., REPAIRED. T. WILLIAMS begs to thank his numerous customers for their support in the past, and hopes the new firm will receive a continuance of the same. RELIANCE HOUSE, GREAT DARKGATE STREET (OPPOSITE THE MEAT MARKET). AND 7, PIER STREET, WILLIAM P R O B I N, WORKING LAPIDARY, JEWELLER, AND SILVERSMITH, BEGS to inform tho Gentry, inhabitants, and Visitors of Aberystwyth that he has now on hand a well- selected Stock of Diamond Rings, Wedding Rings, Signet Rings, and Gem Rings. Bright and Coloured Gold Jewellery, in all its branches, made upon the premises. Every article warranted. Also wge Stock of Whitby Jet and Bog Oak Ornaments. Old Gold and Silver Purchased. Wholesale and Retail Dealer in New and Second-hand Plate. BUBB & PEAKE, PAINTERS, PLUMBERS, GLAZIERS, GASFITTERS, PAPER HANGERS, AND HOUSE DECORATORS. GLANYMORFA HOUSE, NEWFOUNDLAND ST., ABERYSTWYTH. (NEARLY OPPOSITE THE SWIMMING BATHS.) • BATHS AND PERAMBULATORS CONSTANTLY ON SALE OR HIRE. Estimates given for all work in the above branches upon application. H. R. PUGHE, MILLINERx AND DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT, 2, LITTLE DARK-GATE ST R E E T, ABERYSTWYTH, BEGS to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and Inhabitants, that he has just retuined from London and other Markets with a CHOICE SELECTION OF MILLINERY, DRAPERY, & FANCY GOODS R. P. cordially thanks the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, and Public generally for all past support, and begs to assure them that his unceasing endeavours are to offer his Patrons THE VERY LATEST AND BEST GOODS At the smallest remunerative prices. H. R. P. SOLICITS THE FAVOUR OF AN EARLY CALL. — — — TTTTVT AITA TVT>O Gold Medal Paris Exhibition, 1878. JN ixxliLrS S PURE, MILD and MELLOW. — — DELICIOUS and MOST WHOLESOME. T.T. THE CREAM OF OLD IRISH WHISKIES. LI'114 DR. HASSALL says—" Soft and Mellow, Pure, well Matured, and of very Excellent Quality." T'r xr WHISKY. The Gold Medal Dublin Exhibition, 1865. 29, GREAT TITCHFIELD STREET, LONDON, W. WARNING! When you ask for &ECKITT'S PARIS BLUE S. ee that you get it As bad qualities are often See that you get The genuiae iis used by the Laundreigass of tHE PRINCESS OFWALES & DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH. -Printing of every description executed at the I JOHN MORGAN, 1 North Parade. Estimates furnished. [ PRINTER, "aerate Charges. [ Observer Office, Aberystwyth, Hu&Iittittoit. .uu.ouu_,u. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES MAGAZINE. The last number of Vol. Ill contains A Retrospect Ed. Sec. Marine Flora and Fauna of Aberystwyth. Dr. Gadow and Prof. Parker. Translations from the German.Dr. Ethe. The true nobility of life.F. W. Lloyd.Jones. }EeT- j-Ho*y»«-Ab»ian "The Ancient Mariner (done into Welsh) J. E. Lloyd Our Oxford Letter.T. E. Ellis. Scientific Notes Dr. Humpidge. Literary Notes.Prof. Mac Callum. Common-Room Talk.Yorick. College News, &c., L' Envoi Prof. Angus. The committee would feel obliged if distant Sub- ecribers could send their subscription (3/6 for the session) before Tuesday next to the Financial Secre- tary, R. Hughes, at the College; after that day it must be sent to the Registrar, Rev. E. P. Jones, M.A. JOHN J. WALLER. Editing Secretary. ONE BOX OF CLARKE'S B 41 PILLS is warranted to cure all discharges from the Urin- ary Organs, in either sex, acquired or constitutional, Gravel, and Pains in the Back. Sold in Boxes, 4s 6d. each, by all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors or sent to any address for 60 stamps by the Maker, F. J. CLARKE, Consulting Chemist, High Street' Lincoln. Wholesale-all the Wholesale Houses. MATTHEWS's FULLERS EARTH For Toilet and Nursery use- 6d. & Is. TUTATTHEWS's FULLERS EARTH -AM. Protects the Skin from Cold Winds, Chaps, &c. TUTATTHEWS's FULLERS EARTH Preserves the complexion from Cold, Redness, OF ALL CHEMISTS 6d. & Is. -By post 2d. extra. ROUSE & CO., 12, Wigmore Street, London, W. HELPTON'S VEGETABLE PURIFYING PILLS ESTABLISHED 1835. Are one of those rare Medicines jjj|' which for their extraordinary pro- xnrSfes parties, have gained an almost -y. UNIVERSAL REPUTATION. Xum- -g^SiHrr'' bers are continually bearing testimony JjEjafnli' fTmSSM^to their great value in disorders of TTFKOE MARK <RECBT £ REjyythe HEAD, CHEST, BOWELS, LIVER, and KIDNEYS also in RHEUMATISM, as may be seen from the Testimonials published from time to time. By the timely use of such a remedy many of the seriously afflicting disorders which result from proper means neglected might be. avoided, and much suffering saved, for" Prevention s better than cure." Sold in Boxes, price 7jd., Is lid., and 2s 9d., by G. WHELPTON and SON, 3, Crane-court, Fleet-street, London and by Chemists and Medicine Vendors at home and abroad. Sent free by post in the United Kingdom for 8, 14, or 33 stamps. tiUY IT AND THY FOK iOUltetbVw. glNCLAIR's COLD WATER SOAP The Family Wash without the misery of a steaming house.-4d. per lb. SINCLAIR'S COLD WATER SOAP A Government Inspector of Soap Factories says: My opinion 'A it is very JugH, on no account would I be without it in the house. SINCLAIR'S COLD WATER SOAP For Laundry use.-4d. per lb. SINCLAIR'S COLD WATER SOAP OF ALL GROCERS and OILMEN. JAMES SINCLAIR, SOUTHWARK. LONDON. S.BL EIGHT PRIZE MEDALS. SE I y ^4rca$* EIGHT PRIZE MEDALS. NDV AN TAG EB. Are entirely free from SMELL s Are not POISONOUS „ Are manufactured without PH08PHQBTT8 Are perfectly harmless to the OPERATJLVJjSS Are very Camp Proof [EMPLOYED Are not liable to Spontaneous Combustion • Light only on the Box. WORTH A GUINEA A BOX. BEECHAM'S PILLS ARE admitted by thousands to be worth a GUINEA A Box for bilious and nervous disorders, such as wind and pain in the stomach, sick headache, giddiness, fulness and swelling after meals, dizziness and drowsiness, cold chills, flushing of heats, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, costive- ness, scurvy, blotches on the skin, disturbed sleep, frightful dreams, and all nervous and trembling sensations, Stc. The first dose will give release in twenty minutes. This is no fiction, for they have done it in thousands of cases. Every sufferer is earnestly invited to try one box of these Pills, and they will be acknowledged to be WORTH A GUINEA A BOX. For females of all ages these Pills are invaluable, as a few doses of them carry off all gross humours, open all obstructions and bring about all that is required. No female should be with out them. There is no medicine to be found to equal BEECHAM'S PILLS for removing any obstruction or irregu- larity of the system; If taken according to the to the directions given with each box they will soon restore females of all ages to sound and robust health. For a weak stomach, impaired digestion, and all disorders of the liver, they act like "MAGIC," and a few doses will be found to work wonders upon the most important organs in the human machine. They strengthen the whole muscular system, restore the long lost complexion, bring back the keen edge of appetite, and arouse into action with the ROSEBUD of health, the whole physical energy of .the human frame.-These are "FACTS" admitted by thousands, embracing all classes of society, and one of the best guarantees to the nervous and debilitated is, BEECHAM'S PILLS have the largest sale of any patient medicine in the world. BEECHAM'S MAGIC COUGH PILLS. As a remedy for Coughs in general, asthma, difficulty of breathing, shortness of breath, tightness and oppression of the chest, wheezing, &c., these Pills stand unrivalled. They speedily remove that sense of oppression and difficulty oi breathing which nightly deprive the patient of rest. Let any person give BEECHAM'S COUGH PILLS a trial, and the most violent cough will in a short time be removed. CAUTION.—The public are requested to notice that the wordt "BEECHAM'S PILLS, St Helens" are on the Government Stamp! affixed to each box of the Pills. If not on, they are forgery. Prepared only and sold wholesale and retail by the proprietor T. BEECHAM, chemist, St Helens, Lancashire, in boxes at Is II and 2s 9d. each. Sent post free from the proprietor for 15 or 36 stamps.-Sold by all druggists and patent Medicine Dealers in! the kingdom; N.B.—Full directions are given with each box. GEORGE'S PILE AND GRAVEL PILLS. Patronised by several eminent Physicians and Surgeons, and, UNIVERSALLY held in high esteem. Though you have suffered and despaired for years and tried Remedies in vain, be assured there is still a safe and speedy cure for you at a small cost by using /i EORGE'S PILE & GRAVEL PILLS, w V-J which are now recognised by all as being the best Medicine yet discovered for PILE AND GRAVEL, as well as for the following pains, which in Ninety-nine Cases out of every Hundred, are caused by these painful Maladies:- Pain in the back, Flatulency, Griping, Colic, A sense of weight in the back and loins, Darting Pains in the region of the heart, Liver, and Kidneys, Constipation, Pains in the thighs, sometimes shooting down to the calf of the leg and foot, Suppression and retention of urine, Pains in the Stomach and all Liver Complaints. Thousands have been cured by these Pills, and many who had been pronounced hopeless have been thoroughly restored to their health by their use. ONE BOX WILL CONVINCE THE MOST SCEPTICAL OF THEIR EFFICACY. Inorder to suit all who may be suffering from One or Both oj these Maladies, the Proprietor piepares this Vegetable Remedi in the following forms No. 1.—GEORGE'S PILL AND GRAVEL PILLS. No. 2.—GEORGE'S GRAVEL PILLS. No. a.-GEORGE'S PILLS FOR THE PILES. Important Testimonials from Doctors, Chemists, and In valids, from all parts of the country, will be forwarded to an address on receipt of a stamped envelope. Stid in Boxes, is lid and 2s 9d, by all respectable Chemists by Post, Is 4d and 8s, in postage stamps. EVERY BOX IS PROTECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT STAMP. NOTICE.—The title PILE & GRAVEL PILLS is Copyright, and entered at Stationers' Hall. Proprietor, J. E. GEORGE, M.R.P.S., HIBWAIN, GLAMORGANSHIRE. IF YOU WISfI TO BE WELL & KEEP WELL TAKE BRAGG'S VEGETABLE CHARCOAL -J Sold in Bottles w 3s., 4s., 6s. s&ch, ail chemists BRAGG'S /^JHARCOAL "OISCUITS Sold in Tins, Is., 2s., 4s. each. BRAGG'S fNHARCOAL T OZENGES Sold in Tins, ■ Is. lid.-of all chemists. !:(, Bristol Steam Cabinet Works, Maryleport Street & Bridge Street. LAVERTON AND CO., BRISTOL. ESTABLISHED OVER 40 YEARS. LARGEST MANUFACTURERS IN WEST OF ENGLAND. RENOWNED FOR GOOD QUALITY STYLE, AND CHEAPNESS ,.1 BEDROOM SUITES, including Wardrobe, beautifully finished. 81 Guineas; BEDROOM SUITES including Wardrobe, solid Pitch pine or Ash, 10 and 11 Guineas. BEDROOM SUITES, Very Strong Glass door Ward robe, 12 Guineas. BEDROOM SUITES, An immense Stock to select from, varying in price from £ 5 to £100. Large illustrated Catalogue for 12 Stamps. t DINING ROOM SUITES, Comprising Couch, 2 Easy Chairs, and 6 Chairs, Spring Stuffed, 10 Guineas. DINING ROOM SUITES, In Russian Tapestry, 12 Guineas. DINING ROOM SUITES, In Velvet or Leather. 14 Guineas. DINING ROOM SUITES, Very Superior Quality, from X16 to jebo. ,f. DRAWING ROOM SUITES, Spring stuffed, in cretonne, elegantly finished, 10 Guineas. DRAWING ROOM SUITES, Wonderful for the price, admiration of everyone, 12 to 15 Guineas.. DRAWING ROOM SUITES, In Black and Gold, covered in Velvet or Roman Satin. 16, 18, and 20 Guineas. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, Containing nearly 1000 Engravings, post free for 12 Stamps. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, Containing numerous Estimates, &c., post free for 12 Stamps. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, Largest and best published post free for 12 Stamps. JARPETS, CARPETS, Best make and Quality. CARPETS, Beautiful in design CARPETS, Lower in price than other Houses. CARPETS, Unequalled in variety and patterns. LAVERTON & Co., BRISTOL, Manufacturers and Designers. LAVERTON & Co., BRISTOL, Established over 40 years. COTTAGE FURNITURE, Wonderfully good and Cheap. MIDDLE CLASS FURNITURE, Artistic in design. MIDDLE CLASS FURNITURE, Unequalled in England in price, style and quality. SUPERIOR FURNITURE, Laverton & Co's, name stauds as best of Manufacturers. iI. CHALLENGE SUITES AT 10 Guineas. Marvellously good and cheap. CHALLENGE SUITES AT 10 Guineas, worth 5 Guineas more. CHALLENGE SUITES AT 10 Guineas. Selling in large quantities, giving wonderful satisfaction. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, nearly 1,000 Engravings, post free for 12 Stamps. LAYERTON & CO., Manufacturing Cabinet Makers, Maryleport Street, and Bridge Street, BRISTO L.

THE CHINESE IN THE UNITED STATES. The recent census has shown that the numbers of Chinese throughout the States are very much less than was eommonly believed to fee the case. In 1877, when the agitation against the Celestials was at its height on the Pacific coast, it was said there were 200,000 of these immigrants in California alone, of whom 75,000 lived in San Francisco (more than a quarter «f the total population of the city). Even the better informed and more moderate statisticians esti- mated the number of Chinese in that State at from 150,090 to^L75,000. The census has exploded all this exaggeration, the whole number of Chinese in America being only 105,717, of whom California possesses 75,122 Taking a few of the principal States, we find that the numbers have increased as follows :— 1870, 1880. California 48,790 75,122 Idaho 4,267 3,378 Oregon 3,326 9,515 Nevada 3,143 5,423 1 Washington 234 3237 In the Eastern States, the Chinese element is really very small, and altogether inappreciable among the foreign admixture of population. New York contains but 942; Massachusetts, 256; Illinois, 214, &c. So that all the anticipations aa to the displacement of native by Chinese labour are shown to be utterly without foundation. Although in a very few States the increase within the last twenty years has been comparatively large —viz., Nevada, 72 per cent. and Oregon, 186 per eent., the proportion of 106,000 Chinese to the 51,000,000 inhabitants of the United States is too ridiculous to excite any further alarm.

JORDAN ALMONDS. Baters of almonds and raisins who may have wondered whether the Jordan almonds they were munching came from the Holy Land will be interested (observes the Academy) in the following bit from Mr. H, B. Wheatley's Preface te Mr. Herrtage's edition of the Catholicon for the Harly-English Text Society "When Mr. Alderman Hanson, F.S.A., was in- vestigating the history of various fruits, he was some- what puzzled by the term Jordan almonds' applied to the best kind of sweet almonds, and he set to work to look up the authorities. He found a definite statement in Phillips New World of Words' (sixth edition by Kersley, 1766), to the effect that the tiee grows chiefly in the Eastern countries, especially in the Holy Land near the river Jordan, whence the best of this fruit are called Jordan almonds." The same statement is made in Bailey's Dictionary in 1757 (the botanical portion of which was edited by no less a person than Philip Miller), and in many other books. In J. Smith's 'Bible Plants' (1877) we read, The best so-called Jordan almonds eome from Malaga, and none now come from the country of the Jordan.' The auther might very well have added that they neVer did come from that place. The merchants of Malaga, who ex- port the almonds, are equally at sea as to the derivation. One of them told Mr. Hanson that the Jeneral opinion was that a certain Frenehman, called ourdain, early in this century introduced an improved method of cultivation. This suggestion was easily negatived by reference to the fact that Jordan almonds were mentioned in printed books at least as far back as 1607. At last Mr. Hanson found his clue in the Promptorium,' where we read. lardyne almaunde, em,igdalan jardinum.' The difficulty was overcome, and the Jordan almond stood revealed as nothing more than a garden or cultivated kind of almond. Academy.

A meeting of telegraph clerks was held at Plymouth on Saturday, when resolutions were passed refusing to accept the scheme as a final settlement of the ques- tion, and condemning it as inadequate; also declaring the intention to continue the agitation until the just claims of the clerks are conceded, notwithstanding the attempted coercion of Lord Frederick Cavendish. It was also resolved to suggest to the Central Committee that an effort be made to obtain from Government an avowal or disavowal of the opinion expressed by the Treasury in reply to the Postmaster-General, which showed a desire to curtail the citizen rights of the Civil servants, and gag members of Parliament by de- priving them of information from public servants through fear of the consequences.

THE PUBLIC LAND REGULATIONS IN MANITOBA. The new regulations for the dispesa) of public lands in Manitoba and the North-West Territery of Canada were published in a recent number of the Canada Gazette, and the following is a summary of the provisions r The even-numbered sections (one mile square) within the Canadian Pacific Railway belt, twenty-four miles on each side of the proposed railway to be held exclusively for free grant lands in quarter sections of 160 acres, and for pre-emptions of a like extent, which any settler will have the option of acq airing. Until Dec. 31 next the latter are te be seld under the old regulations. From Jan. 1, 1882, the price will be 10s. per acre, to be paid at the end of three years from date of settlement. Outside the railway belt the even-numbered sections to be also available for free grants and pre-emptions, the latter to be sold at 8s. per acre, payable at the end of three years the odd. numbered sections, or public lands, to cover the cost to the country of the Canadian Pacific Railway, being offered at 8s. per acre cash. Certain other provisions are made in regard to the sale of timber lots sales to individuals or corpora- tions for colonisation under which land can be obtained at lower prices for such purposes on certain conditions, and for the leasing of tracts of land for grazing purposes.

THE CHANNEL TUNNEL. A private visit was paid to the Channel Tunnel ex- perimental works last Saturday by Sir Edward Watkin (Chairman of the South-Eastern Railway Company) and a large party of scientific and other gentlemen interested in the operations. The party arrived at the Abbot's Cliff heading in a special train about midday, and at once proceeded to inspect the works. Very satisfactory progress was found to have been made with the boring operations since the last visit, the heading having been advanced to a total length of upwards of half a mile. The tunnel is kept perfectly free from any accumulation of water by the pumps, and a good average rate of advancement in the boring is maintained. There is no alteration in the nature of the strata. The work at the new shaft at Shakespeare's Cliff promises te be even more suc- cessful, a very superior boring machine being used. The progress of the work is considered highly satisfact- tory, and the promoters are very sanguine of its. ultimate success.

CHARITABLE HELP FROM LADIES.—At the annual distribution of prizes by the Countess of Dartmouth at Wolverhampton Orphan Asylum, on Friday, Mr. W. H. Rodgers, the chairman, stated that no iess than £ 45,000 had been contributed to the funis of th» institution by ladies alone. SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE.—1 he Earl of Bucharn (David Stuart Erskine), who died in his eighty-eighth year, in 1829, was, in his early yearSj taken by ths hand by Mr. Pitt—but upon a subsequent occasion, when an election of Scotch Peers took place, his lard- ship having, like the other peers, received a Govern- ment circular letter, naming the individuals to be elected, he retired from public life, considering this letter an insult to the peerage of Scotland—and upon that occasion wrote a letter to the minister, in which is this remarkable sentence "If the privileges of Scotland are endeavoured to be violated, I shall know how to make my porridge in my helmet, and stir it with my swrd