The Aberystwith Observer

REWARD FOR RESCUE AT SEA. Her Majesty's Government have awarded a gold medal and a piece ot plate to Captain Johan Petters- son, of the Swedish barque Daphne, in recognition of his gallant and humane services in. endeavouring to rescue the crew of the schooner Venus, of Aberdeen, on the 16th of November last. The Venus was in a sinking state and the weather was too bad to allow of a boat being lowered from the Swedish ship to go to her assistance. Captain Petterssen therefore manoeuvred his vessel in order to go near enough to the Venus to throw a line on board, and then at- tempted to resale the crew, but in doing this the vessels collided, the Daphne receiving considerable damage. Three lives were saved from the wreck, but the remainder of the crew were too exhausted to make use of the lines thrown to them, and went down with the vessel.

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS. A Florida alligator got his teeth fastened into a green log so firmly the other day that log and reptile were hauled out of the water together by a yoke of oxen. Man is not the only animal who sometimes bites off more than he can swallow. You said, Mr. Skeesicks, that the defeniant was a man in easy circumstances what do you mean by that ? asked a Wisconsin judge. A gentleman wot pays his printer, and isn't afeerod to look his butcher in the face!" replied the witness. It is Baid that love conquers all things, but a jump- fag toothache that knows its business and strictly attends to it can, for the time being, make a maa forget that he ever loved at ftlL Well, Tom," said a Ticonderoga blacksmith to his apprentice, you have been with me now three months, and have seen all the different points in our trade; I wish to give you your choice of work for a while." "Thank'ee, sir." "Well, now, what part of the business do you like best!" "Shuttin' up shop and goin' to dinner." I Yen had better change that rug," said a lady to her servant. Don't you think it corroborate? better with the carpet in this way ? was the response. It was the same girl who told her mistress that a gentleman with a predicament in his spaech had called to see her." We see by the fashion article that there are three hundred different shapes of new Spring hats. De- pends entirely upon how a woman sits down on hers, we presume, Have you estimated the rainfall of the last twenty- four hours ? asked one citizen of another, as they met in front of the City Hall. Yes, sir, I have. What's thefigures ?Why, sir, ifIgetcyes on him I I'll knock him ten feet! A man who 11 deliberately appropriate a 4 dol. umbrella and leave its owner to walk a mile in a pouring storm ought to receive no mercy.. Ten feet is the figure, sir—exactly ten feet, not'including a chill and a sore throat." # THE FRENCH IN MADAGASCAR. The French Minister of Marine has received a re- port from Admiral Pierre, the commander-in-chief of the French naval force in Malagasy waters, respecting the bombardment of Majunga on the north-west coast of the island. Admiral Pierre arrived off Majunga on the 15th ult, with five vessels, the place being defended by three forts mounting 30 guns, and a garrison of 2,000 men. On the French commander summoning the Governor to surrender the latter sent an evasive reply consequently on the morning of the 16th ult. the naval, division opened fire on the forts, which replied, but were promply silenced. The accuracy of the French fire prevented the com- mercial part of the town from being damaged. A fire, however, broke out in the evening. The Hova quarter was completely destroyed, but the French factory and most of the American and Indian houses escaped. On the morning of the 17th a landing party occupied, &nd securely established itself in, the fort. The Hovas retreated into the interior of the country. The command of the place was entrusted to a naval captain. The Custom-house was seized and the dues collected by the French authorities. The naval division suffered no loss in wounded. A Reuter's telegram from Paris, dated 19th June, says A despatch from Admiral Pierre, the Franch Naval Commander in Malagasy waters, dated Tamatava, 13th inst., announced that he had presented an ulti- matum to the Hova Government, who had rejected it. He had since captured Tamatave, and taken posses- sion of the Custom House there. The French also destroyed Toulepointe, Mohambo, and Tenerive, without suffering any loss, and have firmly established themselves. The Hovas fled. The Admiral adds that the principal operations are finished. A state of siege has been proclaimed, owing to the excited state of the population.

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT. In London, on Sunday, a meeting of shop assistants, in furtherance of the objects of the Shop-hours Labour League, was held in the Victoria Theatie. Lord Brabazon presided. A report relating to the last six months stated that the movement was making great progress, but was not well supported financially by the class in whose inter- est the league was established. A letter was read from the Archbishop of Canter- bury announcing his willingness to become a patron of the league upon the understanding that its machinery was not used for secular or political purposes. The Chairman said the number of shop-assistants in the United Kingdom had been estimated at 3,500,000, of whom 300,000 were living in London, and two- thirds of these were either apprentices or improvers under twenty years of age. The agitation for shorter hours of labour was no new question; but while suc- cessive legislative euacfements bad benefited the mem- bers of various trades, practically nothing had yet been done for the shop-assistant. # It was useless, he contended, to endeavour to attain their object by moral persuasion. It had been tried for forty years without producing any great result; and nothing now remained but to appeal to Parliament to make early closing compulsory.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE QUEEN'S ACCESSION. On Wednesday (20th) her Majesty Queen Victoria entered upon the forty-seventh year of her reign, an extended period which has been exceeded by three English sovereigns only-viz., Henry III., Edward III., and George III.,1 who reigned fifty-six, fifty, and sixty years respectively. The anniversary was celebrated in the customary manner at Windsor, where the bells of St. George's Chapel and St. John's Church were rung at intervals during the day, and Royal salutes were fired in the Long Walk and at Fort Belvedere, Virginia Water. In London the usual rejoicings took place. The bells of some of the West-end churches gave forth merry peals, and the band of the Grenadier Guards played a selection of music in the courtyard of St. James's Palace.

DISASTROUS FIRE IN HOLLAND. A serious fire broke out on Wednesday morniBg in the Royal Dockyard in Amsterdam. Two men-of- war, the Doggersbank and the Kwrtenaer, were attacked by the flames and the former was destroyed. The loss is estimated at between three and four million florins. The scene of the conflagration was visited by the Minister of Marine and other officials. Three persons were injured, and a fireman was reported to have lost his life.

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. Monday was the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, which was fought on June 18th, 1815, between the French army, of 71,947 men and 246 guns, and the Allies, commanded by the Duke of Wellington. The latter, with 67,661 men and 156 guns, resisted the various attacks of the enemy from about ten o'clock in the morning until five in the after- noon. About that time 16,000 Prussians reached the field of battle, and by seven the force under Blucher, amounting to about 50,000 men, with 104 guns. Welling- ton then moved forward his whole army. A total rout ensued, and the carnage was immense. Of the British (23,991), 93 officers and 1,916 men were killed and missing, and 363 officers and 4,560 men wounded. The total loss of the allied army amounted to 4,206 killed, 14,539 wounded, and 4,231 missing, making 22,976 hors de combat. Napoleon quitted the wreck of his army, returned to Paris, and finding it impossible to raise another army, abdicated. He afterwards surrended himself to the English, and died a prisoner at St. j Helena on May 5, 1821. The anniversary of the battle was observed in the usual manner on Monday by the various battalions of the Foot Guards stationed in London, the regimental colours being decorated with laurel. Several survivors of the engagement who formerly served in the Brigade (^Guards have died during the past year, A few, however, are still living, and reside with their friends in various parts of the country.

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE VICEROY OF IRELAND. On Tuesday, whilst his Excellency the Lord-Lieu- tenant of Ireland and Countess Spencer were being driven in the carriage of the High Sheriff of Derry to the railway station an alarming accident occurred. The vehicle had to pass between two lines of militia, and, as the men presented arms and the band com- menced playing, the horses plunged violently, and broke through the ranks, knocking down several of the men and seriously injuring a gunner. Fortunately the horses were secured before furtbe mischief was caused.

FATAL BICYCLE ACCIDENT. On Saturday a bicyclist, named Renner. died in Aberdeen Infirmary from injuries received at the end of the previous week. The deceased, who was a clèrk, belonging to Falkirk, and only 23 years of age, was descending a steep incline in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, when he lost control of his machine, and being thrown off, alighted on his head, causing con- cussion of the brain.

THE MARKETS, METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.-MONDAY. The cattle trade is quiet, with no special movement. Supplies are about the average, and are sufficient for the demand, which is not active. A moderate number of beastf has been received from our own grazing districts, but those trom Scotland were short, 1'he. demand was steadier, at rather better prices. The best Scots and crosses sold at 58 lOd to 6s per 81b. There was a tolerably good supply of beasts on the foreign side of the market, including about 200 Canadian, besides Danish aud Swedish, for which the trade was steady at full prices. The sheep pens were not over well fiiled, but the market was quiet at about late rates. The best Downs and half-breds realised 6s 6d to 6s 8d per Sib. Lambs were quoted at 7s 6dto Ss 6d per 81b. Calves and pigs were quiet, on former terms. At Deptford there were about 800 btusi ?, and 11700 sheep and lambs. Coarse and inferior beasts 4s 4ct to 6s second quality ditto, 5s Od to 5s 411 prime large oxen, 63 6d to D8 8d ditto Scots, &c., 5s 8d to 6s Od coarse and interior sheep, 5s 4d to 6s Od second quality ditto, 6s Od to 6s 4d prime coarse woolled ditto, 6s 4d to 6s 6d prime Southdown ditto, 6s 6d to 6s 8d iambs 7s 6d to 8s 6d iarajf course calves, 6s lOd to 6s 2d prime small ditto, 6s 4vi to 6' 8d large hogs, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; neat small porkers, 4s 8q to 6s per 81b. to sink the offal. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.-MoNBAT. There was a moderate supply and steady trade Inferior beef, 4s to 4s 4d; middling ditto, 4'i Oti to 4s 8d prime small ditto, 5s 4d to 6s 8d veal.- 5s 8<1 to 6? 4d; lamb, 7st o 8s; inferior mutton. 4s 8d to 5s; middling ditto, 5s 44i 6s 8d prime ditto, Cs to 6s 6d large. pork, 4s 3d to 4s 4d small ditto, 4. 6d to 4s 8d per Sib by the carcase. rOTATO. A good supply of potatoes on side. The demand was moderate, a. follOw,Old Msgt um bonums, 170s to 200s. regents, 160s to 180s: Victorias, 160s to 180s; champions, 140s to 160s per ton German reds, 7s to 7s 6d per bag. New lAsbon, 145 to 15s Malta, 15s to iCa Jarsoy tiduey, 20s to 22s; ditto round, I8s per cwt.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In the HOUSE OF IOXIBS, June 18, the Royal Assent was given by Commissiou to a number of Bills, moat oc which were private. The Marquis of Salisbury asked whether Mr. Chamberlain's recent speech at Birmingham, in which the right hon. gentleman avowed himself as being in favour of manhood suffrage, equal electoral districts, and payment of members of the House of Commons, correctly represented the views of her Majesty's Government. Earl Granville replied that Mr. Chamberlain's personal opinions as expressed at Birmingham had nothing to do with the opinions of the Government as a whole.The views of the Government would be set forth in an authoritative manner by the introduction In the present Parliament of bills on parliamentary reform. On the motion of the Earl of Dalhousie the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, which was based on the recommendations by the Select Committee on the Protection of Young Girls, was read a second time after a brief discussion. The orders of the day having been disposed of, their lord' ships adjourned at twenty minutes past seven o'clock. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Major the Hon. Montagu Curzen took the oath and his seat as member for North Leicestershire in the place of the late General E. S. Burnaby. In answer to Sir R. Cross, Sir W. Harcourt said he had no news as to the Sunderland disaster beyond what had ap- peared in the papers. He had directed a barrister to attend -he inquiry in order that the facts might be fully elucidated. RURAL LETTER CARRIERS. M r.Biggar asked the Postmaster-General whether or not the Parcels Post would increase the labour and emoluments of the Irish rural letter carriers. Mr. Fawcett said in reply: The labour of the Irish rural letter carriers will, equally with that of moat rural letter carriers in the rest of the United Kingdom, be no doubt Increased by the Parcels Post. The cases of the rural letter carriers are now under consideration, and, in reply to the hon. member, I may say that increased remuneration will be given in those cases where it is thought to be required. THE AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS BILLS. Mr. Buchanan asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Bills for England and Scotland were intended to include holdings tha were entirely or partly under garden culture. Mr. Gladstone said he could only answer the question in general terms. This was a matter to be reserved for Com- mittee on the Bills. Bat, undoubtedly, their intention was to include everything agricultural, and nothing horticultural in the sense of market gardens. It would be best settled in Committee on the Bills. THE SPEECHES OF MR. BRIGHT AT BIRMINGHAM. Sir S. Northcote, who was loudly cheered from the Con- servative benches, called attention to the passage in Mr. Bright's speech at Birmingham on Thursday last, in which the right hon. gentleman described Members of the Oppo- sition as beiug found in alliance with an Irish rebel party, the main portion of whose funds for the purposes of agitation came directly from the avowed enemies of England, and whose oath of allegiance was broken by association with its enemies." So far as these words were intended to impute to the Conservative party that they were guilty of parliamentary obstruction the right hon. baronet gave them an emphatic denial, but the gravity of the charge made, and the authority of Mr. Bright himself brought the case into the category of those which demanded Immediate notice. He, therefore, moved that the words in question were a breach of the 'privileges of the House. Mr- Bright explained the circumstances umier which he had'used the impugned language. He believed there was evidence to show that the Opposition thought that the easiest way to damage the Government was to make it Impossible to do Government business. He did not believe there was a treaty of alliance, but he justified the use of the term rebel" by citing the language of Irish members. SirR. Cross hoped the right hon. gentleman would, in deference to the House, withdraw the charge he had made. Mr. Gladstone expressed the opinion that a charge of ille- gitimate methods of opposition did not amount to a breach of privilege. To treat it as such would be to narrow that freedom of speech which was vital to the efficiency of the House. After some further discussion the Motion was negatived by 151 to 117. On the order for going into Committee on the Corrupt Practices at Elections Bill, Mr. Chaplin renewed his former protest against giving the Bill precedence over the Agricul- tural Holdings Bill, but, taking a division on the question, was defeated by 105 to 51. Committee on the Bill was then resumed, and occupied the greater part of the remainder of the evening. The House adjourned at twenty minutes to two.

THE MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S MISTER BILL. In the HotTSE OF LoRDS. June 19, on the motion for going Into Committee on the Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, Lord Cairns observed that as clause 1 then stood it pro- vided that in order to be legal a marriage with a deceased wife's sister hereafter performed in England or Ireland must be celebrated before a registrar; but Lord Dalhousie, who had charge of the Bill, had given notice of an amendment to provide that such a marriage should be legal wherever con- tracted within the realm. He suggested that, as the notice of that amendment had been so shore, the noble lord should postpone the Committee if he intended to persevere with it on that stage. Lord Nelson joined in the request made by Lord Cairns. Lord Dalhousie expressed his willingness to hold over the new clause and further consider it before tne report. Their lordships having gone into Committee on the Bill, Lord Beauchamp moved, in clause 1, an amendment to deprive the Bill of its retrospective operation. He contended that the Bill went further than Lord Lyndhurst's Aot of 1835 in its retrospective effect, inasmuch as it would set aside re- trospectively any ecclesiastical sentence against marriage With a deceased wife's sister. The Lord Chancellor put it to Lord Dalhousie, who had charf J of the Bill, whether, if retrospective action was of its essence, he could not devise some words by which that action would be confined te declaring the children legiti- mate. After some debate, in the course of which Lord Salisbury expressed a hope that animosity would not be further ex- cited by their Lordships going to a division, Lord Dalhousie said it would b9 sufficient for his purpose if, after the pass- ing of the Act, the children of marriages with a deceased wife's sister already contracted were declared legitimate, and he undertook upon the report to propose woids to make that intention clear. Lord Beauchamp thereupon withdrew his Amendment, and the Bill passed through Committee. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Albany were in their places while the Bill was being discussed in Committee. PUBLIC HEALTH (DAIRIES, &0.) BILL. Lord Carlingford moved the second reading of this Bill, the object of which he stated to be to transfer from the Privy Council to the Local Government Board the power of making orders for the protection and regulation of dairies and cow-sheds. The administration of this matter was really a sanitary question, and ought to be in the hands of the sanitary authorities. The Bill was read a second time. The Earl of Dalhousie obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to factories and workshops. The Bill was read a first time, and their lordships adjourned at seven o'clock. CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS BILL. In the HOUSB OF COMMONS at the Morning Sitting the Committee on the Corrupt Practices Bill was resumed, and the second clause defining corrupt practice was agreed to as amended. On Clause 3, which renders a candidate found guilty of corrupt practices incapable of being elected to the House of Commons for ten years, Mr. Lewis moved to restrict this punishment to bribery. The Attorney-General expressed his willingness to reduce the period of disqualification from ten to seven years, and to confine the penalties in the case of treating or undue in- fluence to acts committed by the candidate himself. concession was approved by Sir W. Hart-Dyke and Mx. Gorst as being calculated to make the Bill workable, i? nWal 5 regarded as adequate by Mr. C. Lewis, who challenged a division, but was defeated by 306 to 47. The clause was still under consideration when the sitting was suspended. COMPULSORY VACCINATION. Mr. P: A. Taylor called attention to the laws relating to vaccination, and moved "That in the opinion of this House it is inexpedient and unjust to enforce vaccination under penalties upon those who regard it as unadvisable and dan- gerous." He contended that statistics showed that the pro- tective value of vaccination was altogether mythical quackery." Compulsion he regarded as an odious tyranny, a measure of class legislation which had been imposed on the country by the official experts on inadequate evidence and without the knowledge of the public, and he maintained that foreign countries which had originally followed our example were now abandoning it. The resolution having been seconded by Mr. Hopwood, fiir J. Pease moved as an amendment that a Select Committee should be appointed for the purpose of ascertaining whether a limitation of the accumulation of penalties for non- vaccination can be effected without endangering the prac- tical efficiency of the Vaccination Acts. Sir L. Playfair directed the attention of the House to the remarkable diminution of small-pox which had followed every extension of vaccination and asked whether it was prepared to relax the measures which had been successfully taken to mitigate this loathsome disease, and again allow it to go unchecked throughout the community. Sir C. Dilke expressed his full concurrence in the views PUt forward by Sir L. Playfair, but disapproved of the accumulation of penalties. Alter some further discussion, Sir J. Pease withdrew his amendment, and Sir L. Playfair moved a resolution declaring that vaccination has greatly lessened the mortality from smallpox, and that laws relating to it, with such modifica- tions as experience may suggest, are necessary for the pre- vention of the disease. Mr- Taylor's resolution was negatived by 280 to 16, and Sir L. Playfair's resolution was agreed to. Some other business was disposed of, and the House adjourned at half-past one o'clock.

SEA FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS. June 20, Mr. Blake moved the second reading of this Bill, which he said was an endeavour to develop the important Irish resources of the fisheries purely out of Irish money, and without imposing any charge on the Imperial Exchequer. He believed the Bill had the approbation of the majority of the members of the House. The two great draw- i backs to the Irish fisheries had been, in the first place, the want of means on the part of the fishermen, suitable boats and gear; and, in the nfefc place, of harbour accom- modation on the coast. The whole sum expended by the British Government since the Norman conquest upon fishery harbours in Ireland was £150,000, which was a beg- garly sum to vote for the development of so important an. Industry, The hon. member concluded by urging the import- ance of the Irish fisheries in a time of war or general dearth. The O'Gorman Mahon thanked the hon. member for 1 Waterford for introducing this subject. There was a dis- | position on the part of the Premier, he believed, to do what he could for unfortunate Ireland, and he hoped no Treasury considerations would prevent this Bill being accepted. Mr. Marjoribanks would vote for the second reading of the Bill because he believed one of the most pressing needs of Ireland was the extension of her harbours. He believed it was impossible to estimate the advantage which it would be to the country. Sir H. Bruce, Captain O'Shea, Mr. Plunket, Mr. Forster, Mr. Arnold, and Sir E. Wilmot also supported the Bill. Mr. Courtney opposed the Bill, and hoped it would be with. drawn, on the ground that it would be injudicious to grant a large sum of money before the Select Committee now sitting had reported upon what principles it should be dis- tributed. Mr. Gibson replied that the Church fund was sufficient for the purpose, that the object was national, and Irish members were unanimous in its support. Mr. Childers said, on the understanding that the Bill only laid down the general principle that if the Church Fund was sufficient to bear the charge, and that the places upon which the money was to be expended were fit places for the pur- pose, he would not object to the second reading. After a few words from Mr. Parnell, the Bill was read a second time. THE IRISH VICEROYALTY. Mr. J. M'Carthy moved the second reading of a Bill to abolish the. office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and to transfer his duties to a Secretary of State, to sit in the House of Commons. He contended that the office did no positive good, either to England or to Ireland, while on the other hand it did a great deal of both positive and negative harm. It did not tend to make the authority of the Crown respected in Ireland, but tended rather to bring that autho- rity into something approaching disrespect. Mr. Richardson could not agree with the measure, and moved that-the Bill be read a second time that day three months. He himself couid bear testimony to the good and the benefit which the Lord Lieutenant conferred on the Irish people by his presence in the country; but he thought that if the Lord Lieutenant had less detail work to do at the Castle, and more opportunity of going through the length and breadth of the country, and making himself known to the people, instead of Ihis presence being an injury, as his hon. friend represented, it would be a benefit to the people and the Empire at large. (Hear, hear.) Sir E. Wilmot would be glad to see the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland filled by an I irishman, but he did not think the present was an opportune time for making any change. Mr. Plunket said it would be impossible to have Ireland properly administered by an officer who would be required to be in the House of Commons every day, and therefore he could not support the BilL Mr. Gray opposed the Bill. He thought it would destroy one of the last remaining links of Irish nationality. Mr. O'Shaughnessy endorsed the views of Mr. Gray, and -IIaid he should vote against the Bill. After some observations from Mr. O'Brien and Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. Trevelyan opposed the Bill, which he thought had not been seriously proposed. Such a Bill could only be passed on the proposal of the Government, which had not made up its mind that such a course was desirable. Mr. Callan was speaking at a. quarter to six, when, by the rules of the House, the debate stood adjourned. The House adjourned at ten minutes to six.

DEATH OF BISHOP COLENSO. In a telegram dated Wednesday, the Durban Corre- spondent of the Standard sayB "I regret to state that Bishop Colenso died at Bishopstowe to-day. He had been confined to his house since Saturday last, but his illness was not supposed to be of a serious character. Last night, however, the Bishop's condition had become alarming, and his son, Dr. Colenso, was summoned by telegraph from this city. The Bishop gradually sank, and, as already stated, died to-day. "The event has cast a deep gloom over the whole community here."

FLOODS IN GERMANY. Prussian Silesia has been visited by a great water- spout. Heavy rains has caused the overflowing of rivers and the flooding of the houses in several places. Bridges have been swept away, and railway embank- ments injured to such an extent as to interrupt the traffic. Several lives have been lost. The rivers con- tinue to rise.

THE NORDENSKJOLD ARCTIC EXPEDITION. A telegram from Gothenburg, dated June 19, says that Baron Nordenskjold, with the Sophia steamer, arrived at Reykjavik, Iceland, on June 6; all well. The party were to proceed to Greenland on the 10th inst. fe Mr. W. G. Spence Paterson, British Consul at Reykjavik, writes to The Times under date June 8 The steamer Sophia arrived here two days ago on her way to Greenland, with Baron Nordenskjold and a scientific staff, who intend to explore the hitherto little known east coast of Greenland and the great mass of glaciers, the inland ice,' which occupies the whole interior of the country. The steamer will lie here for a day or two, and in the meantime Nor- denskjoldandsomeof the party have gone in their steam launch to Borgarfiord to examine the coal de- posits which are found there in the neighbourhood of the Hvita river. They are accompanied by Dr. Arpi, a Swedish philologist, who has made several visits to Iceland, and resided some time in the island for the purpose of studying the language, and who, along with two other savants, will remain in Iceland after the departure of the Sophia, Drift ice has been seen off the north coast of Iceland during the whole of last month, but has not actually blocked the coast, as was the case last year and from the report of the whaler Nova Zembla, which coaled here last month, it is not anticipated that the ice will offer any obstacle to Baron Nordenskjold's expedition."

GREAT FIRE IN FRANCE. A Renter's telegram says that a great fire broke out at Lyons on Tuesday in some warehouses used for storing wood. Notwithstanding all efforts that were made to subdue it, the conflagration spread until a space of about two acres was encompassed in flames. It was found impossible to save anything from the burning houses. Forty railway carriages belonging to the Compagnie de Lyon, were caught in the flames, and the service of trains was interrupted on the line to Geneva, The damages are estimated at six hundred thousand francs.

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS. The Magnet of Monday, in a review of the British corn trade during the past week, says :—"Although at times somewhat cold, the weather has been in the main favourable to the crops. Rain has fallen in most districts, and has proved very beneficial to the spring corn. The agricultural outlook is described as satis- factory, Hay cutting has commenced, and the crop has been carried in some forward districts, the yield being about an average, and the quality and condition excellent. The recent very fine weather has pushed forward the crops very rapidly, and they may now be considered generally as being only a week behind time."

THE CONFIDENCE TRICK. In London, at the Middlesex Sessions, Thomas Hali, 32, agent, was indicted for stealing a purse and other articles, together with 27, from Mr. Reuben Wood. The prosecutor is an American, in charge of the New York Section of the International Fisheries Exhibition. The evidence showed that he met a man in the Strand, who introduced himself as an American, and the two went to a restaurant. The prisoner entered and said be was pleased to meet two Americans 5 that he had just come into possession of a fortune, on the condition that he would give away £ 4,000 a year in charity. He then handed his confede- derate what appeared to be a roll of Bank-notes to test his confidence." The recipient went away, and returned with the notes, handing them back to the giver. The prisoner then induced the prosecutor to hand him over his pocket-book, containing a 30 dollar note, seven sovereigns, and about £1 in American gold, besides his gold watch and chain, to show his confidence in the prisoner. The two confederates then went away, and several days afterwards the prisoner was apprehended. He was found Guilty, and previous convictions having been proved against him he was sentenced to five years' penal servitude.

EPITOME .OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. The American exports of domestic breadstuffs during May amounted to 11,675,000 dols. Mr. Forster says that "Every man can leave the world better than he finds it." True but in some cases only by leaving it.-Punch. The number of visitors to the International Fisheries Exhibition, last Saturday, was 18,494 making a total for last week of 81,551. The total number from the opening of the Exhibition has been 446,096. The Duke and Duchess of Albany paid a visit to the National Orphan Home, Ham-common, on Satur- day, when the Duchess distributed Lady Peeks prizes to the inmates. At Twickenham on Tuesday the highest individual score made in a first-class cricket match this season was madp by Mr. A. G. G. Asher, who scored 182 for Oxford University, playing against the Orleans Club. In London on Tuesday evening, the anniversary dinner of the Printers' Pension, Alftashouse, and Orphan Asylum Corporation was held at Willis's- rooms, under the presidency of the Duke of Albany, Subscriptions were announced to the amount of £1,200. A shocking accident has occurred on the Midland Railway at Great Bowden. A number of children were at a level crossing, when they watched a train pass and ran on to the line. An express, coming i the opposite direction, dashed into the group, killing one on the spot, while five others almost miraculously escaped. Toronto papers recently received in London report the arrival in Canada of a considerable number of Irish emigrants, sent out under the auspices of Mr. Tuke's committee. The people declare themselves well satisfied with the treatment they have received, and with the prospects before them. At the International Velocipede meeting at Bor- deaux the bicycle race of 25,000 metres was won by Wood, an Englishman, who completed the course in one hour. The tricycle race of 6,000 mfetres was also won by an Englishman named Garrard. Additional sums were received up to Saturday at the Mansion House in London, in aid of the Metropo- litan Hospital Sunday Fund. The subscriptions now amount to £23,000, The death has just occurred at Darlington of John Barnett, the first railway porter ever employed in passenger traffic. Barnett accompanied the old No. 1 engine on its trial trip with George Stephenson. The fishermen of St. Mary's Abbey, Limerick, have sent an enormous sturgeon, over ten feet long, as a present to Mr. Parnell, by whom it was offered to the Fisheries Exhibition. On Tuesday a miner named Evan Evans met with a shocking death at the Wynnstay Collieries, Ruabon. He was cutting coal, when he was suddenly embedded by a fall of roof. His companions hastened to rescue him, but their efforts were unavailing, the body being greatly mutilated. He expired shortly after* he was extricated. All the representatives of Foreign Powers who at- tended the recent Coronation festivities in Moscow have received medals and tokens in gold, silver, and bronze, struck as memorials of the coronation. Lord Wolseley arrived in London on Monday from Moscow and St. Petersburg, and resumed his duties at the War Office. The team appointed to represent America at the forthcoming Wimbledon Meeting left New York pn Tuesday on board the Alaska. A large party, in- cluding General Grant, were at the landing-stage to wish them farewell. The number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending Saturday, June 16, was 234. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 225, showing an increase of nine, being a net decrease in 1883, to date, of 80. The Queen has been pleased to express to the Duke of Devonshire, the Chancellor of Cambridge Univer- sity, that she highly approves of the decision of the subscribers to the Memorial to the late Prince Consort to devote the surplus in hand (£1,800) to the founda- tion of a Prize or Scholarship, to bear the Prince Con- sort's name, for the promotion of historical studies. A portrait of Dr. Trench, Archbishop of Dublin, painted by Sir Thomas Jones, was on Saturday pre- sented to his Grace at the Palace, Stephen's-green, by a deputation representing a number of friends in the united dioceses of Dublin, Glendalough, and KilAare, who had adopted this mode of expressing their sense of the Archbishop's high qualities. The will of the Duca di Ripalda, the owner of the celebrated Farnesina Palace in Rome has just been opened. He leaves a fortune estimated at five millions of francs. After sundry legacies to his servants and the poor of Madrid and Rome, he constitutes his daughter his residuary legates. The Duke leaves to the ex-King of Naples a large picture by Raphael and a picture by Titian now in the Farnesina, and to the ex-King and ex-Queen fifty thousand francs each. A few days ago a violent storm passed over the military station of Roorkee, in the Indian North- Western Provinces. Sixteen of the twenty-one barracks were unroofed, and the rest were more or less severely damaged. The 2nd Battalion Dorset Regi- ment which occuped the barracks, was obliged to go under canvas. Sixteen British and foreign actual shipwrecks were reported last week against 12 at the corresponding period of last year, making a total of 952 for the present year. the increase against last year being 219. Nine vessels were British owned, and six were steamers, four being British steamers, with a tonnage of 3,026 tons. Only three lives were lost, against 40 at the corresponding period of last year. Saturday was the anniversary of the battle of Dettingen, which was fought in Bavaria on June 16, 1743, between the British, Hanoverian, and Hessian army (52,000), commanded by King George II. of England, and the Earl of Stair, and the French army numbering 60,000 men. The Due de Grammont with his French cavalry charged the British Foot with great fury, but was received with such intrepidity that he was obliged to give way and repass the Marne, losing 3,000 men. A Paris telegram says that M. Henri Gervex and M. Carrier Belleuse have just entered into a contract to complete within two years what will be one of the strangest panoramas ever yet exhibited to the public. It is to represent incidents in the lives of all the cele- brated men of the age, and will not cost less than half a million of francs. In London Sir John Humphreys has held an inquest at Bethnal-green on the body of James Harris, aged nineteen, a shoemaker. It appeared that the deceased was running a race, when he suddenly stopped and fell to the ground. He was carried home, and on the doctor's arrival pronounced to be dead. Sudden failure of the heart's action was the cause of death, and a verdict was returned accordingly.. Conveying his good wishes to his constituents, in a letter read at the annual meeting of the Midlothian Liberal Association, Mr. Gladstone says he perceives none of the disintegrating forces visible in the later years of his previous administration, nor has he any reason to believe that the country has changed its mind since the election of 1880. Mr. Healy, having resigned his seat for the borough of Wexford in order to contest the county of Mona- ghan, has issued his address to the electors. He looks to the creation of an occupying proprietary for the final settlement of the land question, and relies upon the action of the independent Irish party to force the question of purchase upon the attention of the Legis- lature. Mr. Healy further promises to promote a reform of the grand jury system and of the poor law boards. The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park, London, during last week included an ourang-outang from Sumatra, presented by Mr. J. M. Vermont; two Duyker Boks from South Africa, pre- sented by Mr. H. H. Trevor; a Philippine paradoxure from the Philippine Islands, presented by Mr. A. Burgess; a king parrakeet from Australia, presented by Mrs. Lewin a lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo from Moluccas presented by J, Snowdon Henry, F.Z.S. two Viperine snakes; a dark green snake from North Africa, presented by Mr, J. C, J. Church two aye- ayes from Madagascar; a carpet snske from Australia, received on approval; a hybrid Luhdorf's deer and ten Australian wild ducks, bred in the gardens. I The Duke of Connaught will leave England in the autumn for India to assume the command of the Meerut division. Mr. Justice Grove, while reaching some books in his library on Sunday, fell from the stair on which he was standing and broke his arm. A Zurich firm has received from the Roumanian Government an order for the construction of an underwater boat. The boat will carry with it a suffi. cient supply of air for a twelve hours' trip and be lighted by electricity. Two flour mills and an oil factory were destroyed on Saturday in a fearful conflagration in Breslau. Several persons were killed and many others injured, and an immense amount of property destroyed. I An inspector of the Canadian Mounted Police J said to have realised £60,000 by selling out his share in a gold mine recently discovered at Medicine Hut, in the North-West Territories. The number of otters killed, according to official statements just issued, in the province of Hanover during the first three months of this year number 177, raising the total of killed during the five months from the commencement of November last year to the end of March, to 259. For each of the captured otters the Government has paid a premiuna of six marks. Tha number of candidates who presen:ed themselves for examination in the various branches of technology at the City and Guilds of London Institute on the evening of May 30 waa 2,397 as compared with 1,972 in the year 1882, showing an increase of 425. The Canada, screw corvette, Captain F. G. Durrant, left Plymouth Sound on Tuesday for the North American Station. Prince George of Wales is serving as a midshipman on board. Of the seven corps of volunteers inspected in the metropolitan district on Saturday, whose total strength was a little over 4,200, the largest muster was made by the 10th Middlesex Rifles, who had 805 of all ranks on parade in Regent's Park. The 8th Middlesex, the next in order of strength, had about 770 in Hyde Park. A Reuter's telegram, dated St. Petersburg, Jane 16, says Intelligence received here from Astrakhan announces that the passenger steamer Kasan caught fire yesterday evening on the Volga, near the village of Petropaulovski. The vessel was run ashore and all the passengers made good their escape. The Kasan and her cargo were completely destroyed and the mails were also lost." The Postmaster-General has presented to the Ger- man Imperial Postmuseum anumber of interesting objects connected with the English postal system, including an elegant model of the Liverpool-London Royal mail train. On Monday two labourers employed in the erection of the new Art Gallery at Birmingham, were engaged in moving a stack, when au adjoining stack fell upon them and so severely crushed them that they both died a few minutes after. From all districts in Yorkshire very promising re- ports have been received as to the hatching of the grouse, and it is more than probable that there will be an average number of birds on the 12th. Here and there some grand specimens may be seen afoot, and up to the present time there has been an absence of disease. According to an account showing the quantities of certain kinds of agricultural produce imported into the United Kingdom in the week ended June 16, the number of living animals imported was as follows:— Oxen, bulls, cows, and calves, 8,827; sheep and lambs, 23,369; swine, 931. An official at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Paris has just been stricken down by a violent attack of yellow fever. It has been discovered that the disease was contracted by opening dispatches from Brazil, where the fever is now raging. Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New South Wales, has been informed by telegram of the arrival in Sydney of the ship Samuel Plimsoll. which sailed from Plymouth with emigrants in April last. It is reported from Vienna. that disastrous floods have occurred in Bohemia and Moravia, and that the Danube, which is rising rapidly, is expected to over- flow its banks. On Wednesday there was not a single question on the agenda of the House of Commons, but of 16 orders of the day relating to Bills promoted by private mem- bers notice of opposition was given to 12. Lord R. Churchill has written to Colonel Sowler, Chairman of the Election Committee of the Man- chester Conservative Association, saying that he is re- luctantly compelled to abandon the hope of being one of the candidates for the representation of that city. Saturday (16th) being the anniversary of the Battle of Quatre Bras (which was fought in 1815, when the English gained a victory over the French), the usual custom of decking the colours with laurels was observed in those regiments of the Guards which took part in the memorable engagement. French imports, during the first five months of this year, increased to some 21,000,000f., and exports diminished by some 19.000.000f. as compared with last year. The imports of manufactures fell off by more than 16,000, OOOf., while those of food increased by more than 31,000,000?. The exports of manufactures, like the imports, show a diminution, having decreased by over 27,000,000f. Lord Wemyss will early next month propose a re- solution in the House of Lords declaring that, having regard to the defective state of our military organization, and to the great importance of the militia force, it is essential that the militia be re- cruited up to its established strength and that the militia reserve should, as intended by its originator, the late General Pee), be borne in excess of the militia establishment." An imposing demonstration was made in Rome on Sunday night before the Quirinal Palace, in honour of Queen Maria Pia of Portugal. Her Majesty and her two sons, together with her brother, King Humbert, and Queen Margherita, appeared on the balcony several times. There were 2,477 births and 1,279 deaths registered in London last week. Allowing for increase of popu- lation, the births were 70, and the deaths 126 below the average numbers in the corresponding weeks of the last ten years. The annual rate of mortality from all causes, which had been equal to 18 5 per 1,000 in each of the two preceding weeks declined to 16'9. The return issued' on Wednesday shows that on the last day of the 1st week of June 50,384 in-daor, and 35,907 out-door paupers were relieved in the Metro- polis, making a total of 86,291, as compared with 87,222 in the corresponding week of last year; 87,125 in 1881. and 85,063 in 1880. The number of vagrants relieved on the same day was 483. Mavtegna's noble tempera painting en grisaille, on canvas, "Samson and Delilah," has been secured for the National Gallery. The price paid was £ 2,362. The work formed part of the Sunderland Collection in the possession of the Duke of Marlborough. A New York telegram says that the visible supply of wbeat on June 15 was 20,600,000 bushels, as against 20,300,030 bushels the previous week. Visible supply of Indian Mgp, 14,600,000 bushels, as against 13,800,000 bashels th^revious week. The export clearances of wheat for Europe during last week amounted to 770,000 bushels; the export clearances of Indian corn for Europe during last week amounted to 1,240,000 bushels. Mr. Bradlaugh, addressing a crowded meeting at Bristol on Wednesday night, stated that he should go to the House of Commons in a week or two and again take his seat. The House might then do what it thought its duty, as he should do his. If they ex- pelled him, his constituents would answer them by returning him again and again. A resolution con- condemning the action of House of Commons towards Mr. Bradlaugh was carried. Austrian papers report that a mountain in the neigh- bourhood of Czernowitz, in the Bukoviqa, is manifest- ing singular symptoms of disturbance.. The ground around its base, to the extent of over 1,000 fathoms, has opened out in wide and deep chasms. Most of the houses of a village on the spot (Kuczumare) have fallen down. Many members of Parliament and other visitors to the House of Commons during last week bad an opportunity of tasting a supply of splendid ripe peaches grown in the open air during the month of May upon the estate of Mr. John H. Parnell, in the State of Alabama, They were recently brought over from America to Mr. C. S. Parnell, M.P., who,"e brother is one of the mcst successful peach-growers in the United States, having about 1,000 acres almost entirely devoted to that fruit. On Sunday morning a fire broke out at the Canton Steam Flour Mills, near Cardiff, belonging to Messrs. Loughor and Son, one of the largest steam flour mills in the principality. The fire began in a room used for cleaning wheat, but soon burned downwards, and extended to the new mills, which had been recently fitted with machinery for grinding corn on the Hungarian process. Both mills were entirely de- stroyed, and the damage is estimated at B 10,000 to B12.000. The Clothmakera' Company (London) have very significantly presented to King's College a testing machine capable of exerting a tensile strain of 50,000 lbs. on the square inch. But it is—to those who would think this a good opportunity to look out for cloth which has borne the strain, so as to have a good tough suit-rather disappointing to find that the machine completes the apparatus of the metallurgical and engineering schools and workshopg— Warehousemen and Drapers' Trade Journal | The traffic in the Suez Canal shows a marked in- crease in the la;;t year, the receipts having reached the sum of £2,421,835. The Archbishop of Canterbury was present on Saturday at the annual Speech Day at Wellington College, and in response to a public welcome from the head master assured all present that bis days when headmaster there were among his most pleasant reeol- lections. It is estimated that in 1882 as many as 59,974 men and 14,202 boats were employed in the fisheries of Spain. A Vienna telegram states that 100,000 Mahomedans have emigrated this year from Bulgaria and Eastern Roumelia, to avoid the military conscription. On Monday a farmer, seventy years of age, was gored to death at Draycott, North 'Staffordshire, by a bull. He was fetching, some water when the bull rusbed at him and wounded him so terribly that he died almost immediately. The Duke and Duchess of Connaughfc visited the Military College at Cowley, near Oxford, on Saturday, aad the Duchess delivered the prizes. The Duke ad. dressed the students and at a substantial luncheon spoke of the importance of such a training as that college afforded for boys' who intended to join the army. A violent explosion took place on Tuesday morning at the tar distillery of Mr. Ellison, Walsden, near Rochdale, wreaking a great portion of the works, but the night men, however, happily escaped. A still was blown to a great height, the boiling tar being thrown about in all directions. A banner has just been hung in Windsor Castle, by the Duke of Wellington's ageut. the duke's Stratb- fieldsaye estate being held by virtue of this ceremony being performed annually on the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. On Wednesday the foundation-stone of the new Roath Dock, which is being constructed at Cardiff by the Marquis of Btrte, at a cost of half a. million, was laid by Mr. W. T. Lewis, general agent to his lord- ship. The water area of the dock will be 35 acres. The work will occupy a period of several years. The Standard understands that some influential lay- men, among them members of both Houses of Parlia- ment, are considering the propriety of promoting an Address of Thanks to the Archbishops and Bishops who opposed the second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill. The trestlework railroad bridge now being con- structed across Lake Ponchartrain will, when com- pleted; be twenty-one miles in lenath, and will be the longest bridge of the kind in the United States. More than 15,000,000 feet of lumber, outside of the piles, will be used in its construction. The American Treasury reports a largo increase in fresh beef exports, particularly to England- The May exports amounted to 9,352,0001b., against 2,725,0001b. in the previous May. Thus far thí. year the exports amounted to 63 879,0001b., against 36,253,0001b. in the previous year. Pork exports are about the same as last year. A meeting of Conservative Peers was held on Wed- nesday at the residence of the Duke of Richmond, to consider the attitude to be assumed by the party towards the Agricultural Holdings Hili. The proceed- ings were private. An attempt has just been marie to cross the Mediter- ranean in a balloon from Marseilles by an areronaut named Jovis, who was accompanied by Mdile. Clair, an actress, and M. Bordigni, a merchant. The balloon, which was named the Semaphore, was picked up at sea an hour after starting. The Lords of the Admiralty have given a grant of S50 towards a new rational school which is to be erected at Chatham; and a further grant of B25 towards a new mission church which is also to be erected at Chatham, The Queen has subscribed £50, and the Prince of Wales 25 guineas to the fund now being raised by the Scottish Meteorological Society for the establishment of a meteorological observatory on the top of Ben Nevis. A fire broke out on Monday night at the Strasburg Telegraph Offices, and totally destroyed the telephone establishment, which numbers 100 subscribers, but the valuable telegraphic apparatus in other parts of the building was saved. Last week's receipts of cotton at all United States ports were 21,000 bales; since 1st September, 5,852,000 bales. Week's exports to Great Britain, 34,000 bales; week's exports to the Continent, 6,000 bases. Total since 1st September, 4,453,000 bales. Stock at all ports, 441,000 bales. A parliamentary return issued last Saturday shows that the number cf applications ur dpr the Arrears Act up to the ena of May was 86,455, comprising 135,997 holdings the estimated amount of money in- volved in these applications being £ 810,353 lis. 9d. In London, on Sunday morning, the Duke of Cam- bridge inspected the Corps of Commissionaires, who now, it appears, are 1,291 in number. An old pen- sioner, 98 years of age, was present who had been in the Peninsular, and at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. Last Saturday a fire broke out at the large sawing and planing mills of Mr. Alfred Oswald, lit Palii >n, Sunder- land. The mills were burnt to the ground, and the greater part of the valuable timber they contained was also destroyed. The damage is estimated at about mo.ooo. The value of imports into Queensland during 1882 has been estimated by an official return at £ 5,168,628, and of exports at £3,259,217. The wool exports amount to the value of £ 1,329,000, and gold to £82916b5.. The Russian papers say that several ancfent gold articles, resembling in general character those found by Dr. Schlieman at Mycenae, have heeri discovered on the northern bank of the Awn Dirya, the "isnt Oxus, about two days'journey from Kudos. Additional details of the effect* of the recent de- structive tornadoes have been received from Illinois. In Williamson county twenty lives were lost. At Chilicotbe, Missouri, serious damage was done, Mr. Dennis Wolf's house was destroyed, and his family were carried 500 feet through the air, Mr. Wolfe waa killed; and his wife's skull was fractured. Between March, 1857 and April last—that is to say, in exactly twenty-six years-10,144)J26 ounces of gold have been exported from New Zealand, the value being no less than £39,747.940, or very nearly £40,000,000 sterling. Made into sovereigns, and placed in a pile one on the top of the other, this gold would form a column 31 miles high. In London, the other day, a large company assem- bled at the mart, Tokenhouse-yard, where Horace Walpole's favourite residence, Strawberry Hill, on the banks of the Thames, was offered for sale by order of Lord Carlingford. The competition commenced with an offer of £ 10,000, and did no$go beyond B25,000, which sum, the auctioneer remarked, was not the value of the land alone. The reserve price was not readied, and the property was withdrawn. Although the same number of Eteamers arrived at Liverpool last week with live stock oo board as in the preceding week from the United States and Canada, the arrivals showed a decrease in both cattle and sheep. The supply of fresh beef landed last week was the smallest during any single week since the begin- ning of tbe year. The total arrivals amounted to 1,663 cattle, 81 sheep, 1,902 quarters o beef, and 600 carcases of mutton. Although the introduction of tramways in Germany is of a recent date forty-four towns of the empire have already constructed tramway lines, when they work themselves, or of which they have have conceded the exploitation. The largest net of tramway lInes-Iii miles-is at Berlin. The number of travellers con- veyed in 1882 has risen to 65,218,792.