The Aberystwith Observer

Jønbøn Ciraspwfoeni. |We deem it rigkt to state tfcr.t we do not at all times jfautiiy ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions.] It is singular to note the steadiness which during the past year and a half has characterised the balance of political parties in the House of Commons. Seats have been gained and lost, but there has been a set-off In each case, and the number of supporters of the respective party chiefs in the Lower House is exactly where it stood at the end of 1881. This is a remark- able result, looking at the frequency of bye-elections. For instance last year there were twenty-three, the Liberals winning Liverpool and the Conservatives securing an advantage at Salisbury. During the first half of this year sixteen elections have taken place, and while the Liberals gain a seat at Hastings, the Conservatives had previously won one at South- a >pton. For eighteen months to pass in this way is an experience without parallel in the history of recent Parliaments. Meanwhile it is to be noted that the life of the pre- sent Parliament is gradually ebbing away. It will have turned the corner of its existence at the end of the present session, even supposing it to run its full term, which few Parliaments do. The next session will be its fifth, and none run more th'\n seven. Only twice within the past half century has the seventh session been reached, and on neither occasion were there seven fall sessions. The present Parliament met on the 29th of April, 1880, and the prorogation took place on the 7th September following. That was a short session, but this was compensated for in 1881, when both Houses mst on the 6th January, and sepa- rated on the 28th August. The conservative instincts of the English people— using the word in its literal and not in its political leDse-have been a fruitful theme of remark at diffe- rent times. Most of m remember the terrible severity of the winter in the beginning of 1881, when a sheep was roasted on the ice in the upper reaches of the Thamee, and the river below bridge was covered with floes borne up and downe by the tide, and testifying to the Arctic nature of the temperature. That was the time of the great snow storm, which swept this kingdom from the Orkneys to the Land's End, and the snow was piled in hillocks in the streets of our large towns. Parliament was then sitting, and the visitor to the strangers' gallery of the House of Lords, aa he looked down upon the Lord Chancellor, might have envied that high functionary, as he sat on the warm woolsack -comfortably wrapped in his robes, and with his full-bottomed wig, he was the best protected from the cold in the Assembly. Six months waned away, and these islands seemed to have passed from the frigid into the torrid zone. There was a temperature of 98 in the shade, a heat never registered before in this coun ry. Patlisment was still sitting, and the stranger in the House of Lords would have seen the Keeper of the Queen's Conscience habited precisely the same in the sweltering heat as in the bitter cold. There is no elasticity in the regula- tions affecting the Chancellor's attire adapting it to the manifold fluctuations of our climate. These thoughts have been suggested by the great heat which characterised the end of June, and on the 29th of that month caused a review at Aldershot to be postponed. But the improved weather of the present summer as compared with last and with many of its predecessors, is undoubtedly a great blessing to the farmers. Last year, it will be remembered, July was marked by a low temperature and by cloudy skies. The heat was sufficient to ripen the corn but indifferently, for there is no ripening power in the sun when the thermometer stands at less than sixty degrees. On the 29th June the temperature in London was 84 in the shade, and although London feels the extremes of heat and cold, as much or perhaps more than any other place In the Kingdom, there is no doubt that the heat of that day did an enormous amount of good over the wide-spreading agricultural districts of our land. July this year, happily for the prospects of the farmer, came in favourably. So far as London was concerned, a more delightful summer day has seldom been wit- nessed. The reports from the agricultural districts are much more favourable than in some recent years and altogether after a long period of depression pros- pects in country and in town would appear to indicate the dawn of a better day. It has frequently beea remarked that the House of Lords is a chamber for show, and the Commons for business. In the Lords the reporters are placed at some distance from the front benches, and this, with the defective acoustio properties of the House, renders hearing at all times difficult and often impossible. In the Commons, as the press gallery is directly over the Speaker's chair, it commands the Treasury and the Opposition benches, and is, therefore, very favourably situated for hearing. Yet, of late, it has not escaped notice that in some opening sentences of Mr. Glad- stone's observations, it is not easy to catch what he says. This is particularly so at question time, when more especially upon matters relating to foreign policy the words of the Prime Minister of England are tele- graphed in a few minutes to all the capitals of Europe. At one time his voica was heard with ease in every corner of the ehamber in which he has had a seat for fifty years. Now the right hon. gentleman often talks in a conversational tone across the table as though he were holding confidential communication with Sir Stafford Northoote or Sir Richard Cross, the represen- tatives of the journals meanwhile asking each other in grave and earnest tones what the Premier is saying. The death of Mr. William Spottiswoode, the Presi. dent of the Royal Society, swiftly followed that of Sir Edward Sabine, who had held the office some years previously. To these two distinguished men, who died within twenty-four hours of each other, life seemed to have been meted out rather unevenly. Sir Edward Sabine enjoyed an existence of more than a whole generation of men beyond the term allotted to Mr. Spottiswoode, dying at ninety-four as compared with fifty-nine, the age of his successor. Mr. Spottiswoode has so recently and so prominently been before the world as a man of science that his fellow savants at onee signed a memorial to Dean Bradley for the interment to take place in Westminster Abbey; and the custodian of that venerable fabric. had no hesitation in complying with the request that the remains of so eminent a man should rest with those af many another philosopher in a building hallowed to the memories of so many illustrious Eng- lishmen. The London season is drawing to a close when we approach the middle of July, but while it lasts there in no doubt that the popularity of the drawing-room meeting continues. This has become a favourite form of assisting many a good work. Instead of engaging Willis's Rooms or Eietar Hall, the promoters of a charity or of a religious or philanthropic organisation are enabled to secure the assistance of a nobleman who places his drawing-room at their disposal for the holding of the annual meeting, admission being by tieket. For instance, at the Duke of West- minster's town residence in Park-lane, three or four of these gatherillCs in a week are often held, and M. these take place is the magnificent Rubens room, they are very well worth attending, more especially as the Duke often extends an invitation at the close of the proceedings for the visitors to go over the house, and inspect one of the completest collection of articles of vertu which has been got together in London. Speaking of the season is a reminder also of the approach of Goodwood, which very soon follows the Newmarket July meeting. The time has been when an important debate in the House of Lords has been postponed for a week because it should not interfere with the enjoyment of Goodwood by the peers. This was in 1871, when the Army Purchase Bill stood over so that the Duke of Richmond might entertain at Goodwood House the distinguished company which is always invited there to spend the race week. Goodwood finishes up the glories of the season, which, fortunately for the representatives of rank and fashion; has this year been favoured with much better weather than in recent times. Rank and fashion do not wait as a body for Parliament to rise, for Parliament may sit into September for aught the uninitiated know to the con. trary, by wfeieh .time the.. days materially shorten, and the nights become chilly, more especially to those who take excursions upon the sea. Punctually to the day the welcome returns for the year as well as for the quarter ending the 30th June, were issued on Saturday evening. The net increase on the twelve months, as compared with that of 1882, ex- ceeded three millions and three quarters sterling, while the increase upon the three months was £ 820,600. With bright sunshine over the land to gladden the heart of the farmer, and an augmenting amount of national receipts into the Exchequer, the hopea for the future of the country's prosperity, rest upon a better foundation than they have done for some years past.

TERRIBLE DISASTER ON THE CLYDE. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. An appalling disaster occurred on the Clyde on Tuesday morning, which resulted in a considerable loss of life. It appears that a new screw steamer of 500 tons named the Daphne, had been built for the Glasgow and Londonderry Steam Packet Company, by Messrs. Alexander Stephen and Sons, of Lint- house, Govan, near Glasgow, and her launch was faxed to take place at half-past eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning. Punctual to the time she left the ways, gliding off gently in the usual manner, and all apparently going well. She took the water in good style, but at the critical moment when she should have righted she suddenly heeled to port and turned over, sinking deck downward, and burying as it were the unsus- pecting tenants of her decks. The usual number of spectators had assembled to watch the launch, so that the news of the appalling disaster quickly spread, and brought anxious crowds flocking to the banks and besieging the yard, Those who had friends in the ill-fated vessel rushed excitedly about, begging for every scrap of information, and some seem- ing well nigh distraught. Most heartrending scenes were witnessed, for there were those who on learning the terrible nature of the disaster at once gave up all hope of those belonging to them being saved, while others again were maddened by the unendurable agony of suspense. Boats were at once launched from the yards in the neighbourhood, and together with many of those already on the river engaged in searching for the drowning and the dead. Telegrams were despatched to Glasgow for medical aid, and cabs were sent on the same errand to Govan, A number of medical men speedily responded to the | summons and attended to such of those who had been rescued who required their services. Several of the saved, indeed, were so greatly exhausted from the shock and the time they had remained in the water that they had to be removed to the infirmary. In giving an account ef the disaster The Times says :— From the statements made by some of the workmen who were standing close to the river edge when the launch took place, the vessel seems to have gone over very suddenly. She moved off all right when the dog- shore were cleared away, and it was only when she took the water that she showed a tendency to heel over. When quite clear of the ways thote on shore and on board the two tugs in attendance wtre horrified to see the steamer heel right over, and commence to settle down in the water. The scene for afew brief moments was of the most appalling description. As she fell over upon her side a good many of the men who were on the upper deck could be seen dialing to each other and grasping at rails, chains, or any of the deck fitdngs that could afford a hold. There were but few cries for help, the catastrophe occurring so suddenly. In a few minutea she bad gone clear out of sight in the middle of the river, and nothing could be seen but a few men struggling in the water. Ropes were thrown to the drowning men, and the tugs and one or two boats that were in attendance did all they could to save lives, but after the steamer disappeared very few men were found floating on the surface of the water. Several of the eye-witnesses state that one or two men who were swimming about, and evidently making for the bank, were caught by their drowning comrades, and dragged down. As soon as the workmen who were standing close to the end of the ways saw that the ship was really heeling over, spars were seized hold of, and, along with any blocks of wood lying about, were thrown into the river. Ropes were also thrown out to those who were struggling at the stern end of the vessel, which was pretty close inshore. The tugs in attendance ventured all near as they possibly could, but the danger of striking men struggling in the water was so great that any assistance of this kind was practically neutralized Two rowing boat3 were brought into requisition, and by their means about a dozen men who clung to spars and pieces of wood were picked up. A few raea were sees to scramble on to the keel of the vessel as she heeled over, but tbey disap- peared. The fact seems to be that those who could not swim and who failed to get hold of a spar or other means of support were drowned. The vessel had a very large number of workmen on board, considering her limited dimensions, and it is said a considerable amount of materials on the deck, consisting of deek-planks and iron plates, which had been removed for the purpose of allowing the boilers and engines to be put on board. It is thought by employes of the yard that about 200 men were on the steamer when she left the ways. Many men swam ashore, and the two tugs that lay on each side of the slip gave every possible assistance to the stragglers in the water. Small boats were quickly put out from the yard, and they did a great deal of useful service in saving life. Ropes, too, were thrown to the alme t spent swimmers as they reached the pier skirting the yard. The cause of the accident cannot, of course, be stated with accuracy at present, but it would seem as if the chains by which the velocity of the ship was checked on the ways had not acted equally on both Bides. On the port side the anchor fixed in the ground was dragged for a distance of about 60 yards, while on the starboard side the anchor was not moved more than six or seven yards. There had apparently been an undue strain on the port side, and that, possibly increased by the current in the river, is believed to have caused the ship to cant over. At present, at any rate, no other cause can be assigned for the catas- trophe. During the whole of Tuesday afternoon and even- ing the work of recovering the bodies went on, there being willing volunteers on all hands. Beth the city and county police were largely called into requisition, and under their direction a vigorous search ef the river was made, as well as attempts to arrive at the number of men who had lost their lives by the deplorable acci- dent, but from the peculiar circumstances of the case nothing but an approximation to the actual number could be arrived at. It is thought that the number of men on board the vessel when she went down must have been close upon 200, and of these it is believed that over 100 have perished. At five o'clock only nine bodies had been recovered, but a good many more were got out in the course of the evening and night.

TERRIBLE SCENE AT A RAILWAY STATION. On Tuesday a farmer's wife and her three children attempted to cross the Great Western Rail way at Hor- rabridge Station just as a train was drawing near. A porter, seeing their danger, rushed across the line. but the affrighted woman, instead of allowing herself to be pushed back, struggled with him, and all five were thrown down by the engine. One girl was caught by the guard and thrown aside without sustaining much injury. The others were all dragged for about 40ft. br eath the locomotive, having been caught by the fire-box. Marvelious to state, all were rescued alive, and will, it is believed, recover.

llfoalknicrws HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONTAI. BREAD Up AGAIN.—The Peruvian who has just completed a clock made entirely of bread after three years' work took care to use only the crumb for his pur- poses. A clock that was at all crusty might refuse to go. But as it is, this bread clock ought to be easily kept in order by the application of a little butter to the works.—Funny Folks. A VERY SENSITIVE PLANT. -A singular species of acacia is growing at Virginia, Nev., which shows all the characteristics of a sensitive plant (says an American paper). It is about eight feet high, and growing rapidly. When the sun set- its leaves fold together, and the ends of the twigs coil np like a pig- tail, and if the latter are handled there is evident un. easiness throughout the plant. Its highest state of agitation was reached when the tree was removed from the pot in which it was matured into a larger one. To use a gardener's expression, it went very mad, It had scarcely been placed in its new quarters before the leaves began to stand up in all directions, like the hair on the tail of an angry cat, and soon the whole plant was in a quiver. At the same time it gave out a most sickening and pungent odour, re- sembling that of rattlesnakes when teased. The smell so filled the house that it was necessary to open the doors and windows, and it was a full hour before the plant calmed down and folded its leaves in peace. THE BERKSHIRE REGIMENT.-A handsome monu- ment has been erected in the English church at Cairo in memory of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Berkshire Regi- ment), who fell in the late campaign in Egypt. The tablet is of white marble, and bears the following inscription Sacred to the memory of the following men of the 1st Battalion of Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Berkshire Regiment) who died in Egypt between July 27, 1882, and May IP, 1883." Thesi follow the names of 21 non-commissioned officers and men. The inscription is surmounted by the colours of the regiment and a laurel wreath. It will be remem- bered that the 2nd Battalion of the same regiment suffered severely at the battle of Maiwand, in Afghanistan. THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSION,—In the House of Commons on July 27 Mr. Broadburst will move the following resolution That in the opinion of this House it is desirable for the convenience of the mem- bers and for the good of public business, that for the future the session should commence in the first week in March, adjourn about the second week in June, re- assemble in the third week in October, and close before Christmas." DENTAL.—Village Veteran (to benevolent Rector): Only got one left, sir, and ain't got enough for he to dew, sir "-Punch. A SINGULAR PHENOMENON.—A Bolognese gentleman writes to the Gazzetta dell' Emilia, that during a terrible storm a couple of days previously he and many hundreds of persons observed a thick coal-black cloud gather and settle upon the slopes of the Appenines. It burst over the paper manufactory of Maglio and the neighbourhood, and was found to have been chiefly composed of a countless number of leaves and small twigs torn by the furious hurricane from the chestnut trees, and among them was a vast quan- tity of tiny toads. The correspondent sends to the journal a specimen of the leaves and some small toads found in the upper rooms of the paper manufactory, and he adds that this singular phenomenon was observed at many points along the range of the Bolognese hills. THE WANT OF THE SEASON. Did not enjoy the Swellingtons' ball a bit; there were positively only four dancing men. They had to dance with two ladies each; and poor Gussy who was engaged to six girie for the same waltz, nearly fainted. The worst of it was, that horrid Maud Highflier came prepared with smelling salts, carried him off, and did me out of my only dance."—(Extract from private letter.)- Funny Folks. THE WATER SUPPLY OF BOMBAY,—Bombay is con- sidering various projects for giving that city a better water supply than it at present possesses (says the Pall Mall Gazette). The cost will range from Rs. 1,09,90,000 to Rs. 1,34,00,000, and the problem is, where is this money to come from? The schemes put forward embody the storage of a vast supply of water at some convenient point in the ghats to the east of the city, and its conveyance by a conduit to all parts of the town. One scheme would yield 31,000,000 of gallons daily, while another would actually yield 99,600,000 gallons daily. "AN IMPRESSION."—Irreverent and Elderly Phili- stine Oh, an impression is it? What of? chaos, or eggs and bacon ? "—Impressionist: You don't under- stand it; you can't realize the years of patient labour, of intense observation, which have been spent in achieving that masterpiece of the art of knowing where to leave off.Irreverent Philistine Well, my impression of your impression is that a few of those years might have been devoted to learning the art of how to begin,"—Judy. MEMORIAL TO COMMANDER RAWS ON,—A handsome white marble tablet to the memory of the late Com- maudtir Rawson has been placed in the Garrison Church at Portsmouth. It bears the following in- scription :—"Sacred to the memory of WyattRawson, Commander Royal Navy. and Naval A.D.C. to General Sir Garnet Wolseley, G.C.B. He fell while acting all guide to the Second Division at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, 13th of September, 1882, aged 29. He served in the A^hantee War, 1873 74, and in the Arctic Expedition, 1875 76. This tablet is erected as a token of affection and esteem by Lord Wolseley and the numbers of the personal Staff." AN UNINTENTIONAL CONFESSION, — Young Lady (apropos of Old Party's complaints): Had another at;ack, have you? and where does it most affect you ?" -Old Party (rather given to tippling): Oil! it's all in the head and legs, lady-all in the head and legs." -Fun. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH Ct)BN.-The follow- ing are the average prices of British corn for last week as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise:—Wheat, 42s. 3 j. barley, 29s. 8d.; oats, 23s. 5d. per imperial qr. Corresponding week laoi, yearWheat, 463. lid,; barley, 25s. 10d.; oats, 23s. lld. A LUCKY ACCIDENT—In tho French Official Report upon Oyster Culture, of which a translation has been issued by the Board of Trade, it is stated that the Portuguese oyster did not exist on the French coasts thirty years ago, and that its subsequent introduction and acclimatisation were due to a mere accident. A vessel from Portugal laden with these oysters having entered the Gironde after a long detention at sea, the captain, believing the oysters, to be all dead, ordered his cargo to be thrown overboard. A certain propor- tion however certainly revived, and these finding in the Gironde a soil nearly identical with that which they came-from, together with other favourable conditions, they multiplied so greatly that for an extent of about nineteen n.iles they now form one vast bed, the width of which is limited only by the banks of the river. The report adds that the fear that the Portuguese oysters would debase the race of the finer species has happily not been realised. NOT TO BE HAD.-Careful but curious wife How did you get your coat so muddy, Charles ?" Charles Let it fall last night, love." Wife: "But where were you to do such a stupid thing? "Charles "Where was I ? Why—why—inside it 1 "-Funny Folks. THE SIEGE OF ALEXANDRIA.—The amount of powder fired away in the bombardment of Alexandria was 13l,876'51b., of which amount the Inflexible used 39,9001b., and the Superb 22,897'751b. The 3,198 pro- jectiles fired from the larger guns of the whole fleet, included 223 Paliiser, 2,246 common, 261 shrapnel, 154 segment, and 175 empty shells, and 126 solid shot, and three cane shot. The Penelope fired the highest average number of shots per gun, viz, 28 8, a.nd the Invincible the lowest, viz, 12'6. The aveiage number of shots per gun for the Inflexible was 22'0. THE PAPER PRODUCTION OF THE WOBLD.—It is stated that there are 3,985 paper mills in the world, producing yearly 959,000 tons of paper made from all kinds of substances, including rags, straw, and alfa. About one-half the quantity is printed upon and of those 476,000 tons, about 300,000 tons are used by newspapers. The various Governments consume in official business about 100,00# tons; schools, 90,000 tons commerce, 120,000 tons industry, 90,000 tons; and private correspondence another 90,000 tons. The paper trade employs 192,000 hands, including women and children. CRICKETING QUESTION SENT UP TO COUNSEL.—What is the difference .between a Westminster Senior briefly bowling a maiden over, and a Temple Junior being bowled over by a maiden brief ?—PMncA. A GREAT BRIDGE LIGHTED BY ELECTRICITY.—The Brooklyn Bridge was dark and deserted except at the gate, where the watchmen were admitting a squad of electricians. The bridge seemed twice as large in the darkness as it ever is in daylight. The great cables, the thousands of wires and cords filling the air over- head only added to the complicated vastneas of the structure. The river gleamed far below, tugs and ferry boats glided over the silvery pathway as if they were phantom toys in a scene of enchantment. On either band two great cities stretched away into the night. Suddenly there was a crackle and a flash of nooaday light. A grim, greasy man ill the adjoining street cellar had touched a lever, and for the first time fcince the world was created electricity spanned the river. The 82.000 candle-power lights biazed over the ship channel like an arch of stars. Steam tugs whistled, men shouted. In New York, Brooklyn, Staten Island, for miies and miles round the two cities, men pointed to the splendid spectacle of lighting at work for man. —Detroit Free Press,

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. The Empress of Germany has subscribed a thousand marks for the relief of distress caused by the inunda- tions in Silesia. The Berlin Town Council has voted the sum of 150,00C marks for the purpose of making public preparations for the Luther Festival in August. The next Congress of the Trades Unions, the six- teenth of the annual Eerie-, is to be held at Notting- ham in the second week of September. On Tuesday night a girl fell over Dover Cliff on to the rocks. She was removed to the hospital very much injured According to Bradstreet, there were 5,296 mercan- tile failures in America during the first six months of the present year, with 73,594.205 dols. liability, against 3,649 failures, with 52,383,289 dols. liability, in the corresponding period of last year. M At New York 224,494 emigrants have landed during the past six months, being 53,841 less than in the corresponding half of the previous year. The immi- gration for June exceeded that of the previous June. At Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Friday in last week. a warehouse took fire, and several kegs of gunpowder exploded, injuring twenty persons, mostly firemen, several of them fatally. The concussion shook the ntire city. A Parliamentary return shows that in the year 1881 the Government expended for telegrams with foreign countries and the colonies £33,995 Os. 8id, and last year the sum expended was £25,043 14s. 3d. The Governor of Florida announces that 500,000 acres of Lake Okeechobee District have been re- claimed from overflow since the drainage operations began. Cyclones are reported to have raged on Sunday night over New York and New England. One of them struck Cromwell, near Hartford, Connecticut, de- stroying almost every building in its path. Fourteen persons were killed. The nomination of a Lord Mayor of Dublin for 1884 took place on Monday and resulted in the nomination of Alderman Meagher (Liberal) by 32 votes to 21, the Conservative candidate being Mr. Joshua Brereton. The Local Government Board (Scotland) Bill has been deferred until the 16th inst. So far Scotch opinion has declared adversely to the scheme, and the Government will be urged to abandon it. The ship Gladstone of 1,159 tons, chartered by Sir .Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for Now South Wales, sailed from Plymouth for Sydney on Tuesday with 358 emigrants. At the Flintshire Quarter Sessions at Mold on Tuesday, a letter was read from Mr. Gladstone acknowledging the services rendered by the extra police force on duty at Hawarden Castle during his presence there, and enclosing a cheque for B20 towards the Police Superanuation Fund for the county. The number of visitors to the International Fisheries Exhibition last Saturday was 19,684, making a total for last week of 82,489. The total number from the opening of the Exhibition has been 609,753. The court sitting at Washington upon the Alabama claims has decided that British subjects resident in the United States have a right to make claims upon the fund. Romance literature has lately lost one of its most distinguished students by the death at Padua, in the 35th year of his age, of Angelo Canello, Professor of Latin Literature at the University in that city. On Monday the heat in the metropolis exceeded anything experienced since 1869. The thermometer rarged at noon from 87 deg. to 89 deg. in the shade, with S.S.W. winds, till about three p.m., when there was a change to S.E. It is stated that Sir Charles Dilke has arranged to deiivsr his long-promised address to the Glasgow Liberal Association about the end of October, and to address a political meeting at Paisley the following day. The Secretary of State for War has approved the attendance of about 5,000 Volunteers at the camp of exercise, Aldershot, this month and in August, the various battalions to be attached to the three infantry brigades there. On Monday, as two traction engines were proceed- ing along a street at Salisbury, the driver of the second lost control over it, and the engine dashed down the street at a great speed. In trying to evade a horse and light trap, whose occupants were in great danger, the driver ran it into the edge of a neighbouring house, knocking down a lamp-post, and tearing down several feet of the wall. On Monday the result of the polling at Monaghan was officially declared as follows:—Mr. Healy (Nation- alist), 2,376; Mr. Monroe (Conservative), 2,011; Mr. Priagle (Liberal), 274. Intelligence from Brisbane, dated May 15, states that Her Majesty's ship Lark reports that the Ittic, barque, of Boston, which left Newcastle, N.S.W., on February 17, for Manila, was lost on Guadaicatite Island on March 4. All hands reached the shore safely, but finding the natives hostile left again in the ship's boats, and after being 48 hours at sea, were picked up by the Lotus, schooner, and taken to Uil, where they were kindly treated. In London, on Menday, the annual Costermongers Donkey and Pony Show in connection with the Golden-lane and Hoxton Christian Mission took place. The Earl of Shaftesbury, who presided, said that the exhibition of donkeys and ponies was most creditable, and showed that the costers had practised the duty of kindness to animals. Mr. Whitley has given notice of Amendments to the Ninth Clause of the Friendly Societies (Nomination) Bill, which is down for further consideration next Monday, limiting its operation in the case of Savings Banks. Mr. Kennard will move the omission of the Clause. The ship Smyrna, of 1,305 tons, Captain R. Jamie- son, chartered by Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New South Wales, sailed from Ply- mouth, for Sydney on June 29 with 411 emigrants. In London, on Tuesday, the Marquis of Salisbury distributed the prizes to the successful students of King's College, and in the course of his subsequent address to the students remarked upon the improve- ments that had been introduced into the system of education, which new allowed freer scope for a variety of talents than had been permitted in the last general tion. A fisheries exhibition will be held at Lysekil, in the province of Bohus, on the west coast of Sweden, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of September, and a regatta will be held at the same time. As inducements to com- petition at the exhibition 10 gold and 200 silver medals are to be awarded. The Municipality of Paris has resolved on purchas- ing sites for cemeteries at Pantin and Bagneux, at a coat of 8,000,000 francs. This, it was argued, would meet the requirements of Paris for 30 years. The Municipality also renewed its declaration in favour of cremation, one of the members remarking that all the families practising civil funerals would agree to it. The Society of English Mechanical Engineers will visit Belgium towards the end of this month. They are to stay at Liege, where a very hospitable reception is being prepared for them on the 24th and 25th, and to make excursions to the most important industrial establishments of the district. Antwerp and Ghent will afterwards be visited. It is expected that about 200 English engineers will take part in the excursion, and in the Congress to be held at Liege. The revenue of the colony of Victoria for the past year amounts to £ 5.600,000, being an increase of £ 12,500 compared with the previous twelve months. During this period the Customs revenue increased by £ 74,250, and the receipts frpm railways by £123,000. On the other hand, the territorial revenue -shows a decrease of £146,060. At Nottingham the borough coroner has held an inquest on the body of Wm. Cox, aged 43, whose death had been caused by lightning. Deceased was in bis own house, when he was instantly killed, a violent thunderstorm prevailing at the time. His wife was also struck and rendered insensible. A verdict was returned in accordance with the evidence. A shocking occurrence took place on the Great vYestern line at Reading on Tuesday evening. Just before the express from Exeter to London reached the Reading Station, where the train does not stop, a man was seen to fall out of a third-class carriage, and he was afterwards picked up dead. The train was pulled up, and in the carriage was found a handkerchief full of clothes, amongst which was a military document showing that the deceased's name was Michael Keliy, a native of Bristol, and that he had been discharged from the army, having been invalided home from abroad. The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park, London, during last week included a crab.eating racoon from Brazil, presented by Mr. Theo. Walch; a ringtailed coati from Brazil, presented by Mr. R. G. Hamilton; two common hedgehogs, British, presented by Mr. S. Mummery four restless cavies from Brazil, presented by Mr. E. H. Draper; a ring- necked parrakeet from India, presented by Mr. W. Quail; two common kingfishers, British, presented by Mr. T. E. Gunn three common vipers, British, presented by Mr. C, Taylor two common snakes) European, presented by Lord Arthur Russell, F.Z.S,; a puma from South America, a Goffin's cockatoo from Queensland, deposited two West African love birds from Wast Africa, an Indian python from India, pu-chased two vulpine phalangers, eight gold pheasants, six prairie grouse, and a herring gull, bred in the Gardens, Intelligence from Rome says that a disease has broken out Mnong the buffaloes at Maccarese, near Ostia, and has in four day., carried off about 260. Prince Albert Victor of Wales will go into residence at Trinity College, Cambridge, at the commencement of the October term. Pig iron.—Fossilised pork.-A retiring allowance. —A basin of gruel.-Moonshine. The Postmaster-General gives notice that a postage and inland revenue stamp of the value of 2s. 6d., available for postage, telegraph, and inland revenue purposes is now being issued, and will shortly be obtainable from all postmasters, &ct The gold medal offered by Col. P. Roddy, V.O., of the Bengal Staff Corps, for the best practical essay on African horses, has been awarded to Mr. S. Long- hurflt, of the Army Veterinary Department, attached to the King's Dragoon Guards. A Berlin telegram says that the extreme heat there has now lasted five days, with the thermometer at 90 duricg the greater part of the day. Cases of sunstroke have been frequent. Mrs, Ramsbotham says she's going to see a game of Roley-poley on ponies at Hurliugham. Her nephew told her she ought to call this "real jam. "-Punch. Professor Brooks, of New York, reports telescopio observation of an enormous group of spots now central on the sun's disc, visible to the naked eye, the diameter of the group being 50,000 miles. Mr. Enoch Pratt has presented Baltimore with his new and extensive free library building, which is now almost completed, and also with a cheque for 833,333 dols. for its maintenance, which sum will be invested in Baltimore City Bonds. Mr. Gilatrap, of Fornham Park, has presented the town of Newark with a free library, at a cost of about £10,000. The building is now complete, and will be opened on the 26th inst. On the 27th ult. Darmstadt and its neighbourhood suffered from repeated shocks of earthquake. The first was at three a.m., and was accompanied by con- siderable subterranean disturbance. Two violent shocks of short duration followed at five, and the last was at noon. Her? Steinitz, who won the second prize in the recent International Chess Tournament, has chal- lenged Dr, Zukertort, who gained the first prize of JB300, to phy a match for the championship and stakes' of £ 200 a side or upwards, the match to consist of eight or ten games. The total cost of the Moscow coronation is now stated at 54 million roubles, or 20 millions above the preliminary estimates. The latest development of the newspaper press is in Morocco, which now has its two weekly papers-one being published at Tangier and the other at Ceuta, a Spanish possession. The City Press states on January 1st next the price of gas in the ity of London will be reduced from 3s, 2d. to 2s. lOd. per thousand cubic feet. The High Commissioner for Canada has received lrj the following telegram from the Minister of Agricul- ture Farm labourers wanted; also several thousand navvies, wages one dllllar fifty per day, for railway work north of Lake Superior." I Young seals are stated ta be very numerous about the Orkney Isles just now, and a considerable number are b-ing captured. Some of them are of the grey species, and are offered for sale at as low as 5s. each. The Western Monarch, Captain Wood, left Liver- pool for Brisbane on June 29, having on board 59 single men, 47 single women, 281$married couples- total, 387a adults, equal to 501 souls. The return issued on Wednesday shows that on the last day of the third week of June 49,873 indoor, and 37,731 outdoor paupers were relieved in the metro- polis, making a total of 85,604, as compared with 86,759 on the corresponding date last year, 86,509 in 1881, and 84,491 in 1880. The number of vagrants relieved on the same date was 514. On Monday, in deference to a memorial from several religious bodies, the Aberdeen Town Council resolved to prohibit bathing on Sunday in the Dee, the prac- tice, in the opinion of the memorialists, being "highly offensive, and detrimental to good morals." The North German Derby race, as it is called, for a prize of 20,000 marks (61,000), was won on Tuesday by Count Henckel's three-year-old Tartar, from Digby Grand and Neudau, The distance was 2,600 metres, and Tartar wen by a length and a quarter. There were 2,5S9 births snd 1,432 deaths registered in London last wtek. Allowing for increase of popu- lation, the births exceeded by 49, whereas the deaths we e 5 below, the average numbers in the correspond- ing weeks of the last ten years. The annual rate of mortality from all causes, which had been equal to 16 9 and 17 6 per 3,000 in the two preceding weeks, further rose to 18'9. As waa expected the arrivals of live stock and dead IDrat at Liverpool during last week from the United States and Canada showed a larga increase on those of the preceding week, and were the largest arrivals for several weeks past. The number of steamers which landed live stock was seven, and those with fresh meat nine, and the total supply amounted to-3,670 cattle, 447 sheep, 8,651 quarters of beef, and 580 carcases of mutton. At a meeting of ironworkers held at West Bromwich on Monday to consider the reduction of threepence per ton made in the men's wages, it was unanimously resolved to strike against it. A resolution was also passed in favour of abolishing the sliding scale and arbitration altogether. The number of museums in Brussels has recently been increased by three—the Commercial Museum, the Scholastic Museum, ani the Museum of Musical Instruments. Tba Queen has been taking dailv carriage exercise since her return from Scotland. Her Majesty, it is anticipated, will remain in residence at Windsor Castle for several weeks to come. A Heuter's telegram from Darmstadt states that the betrothal of the Princess Victoria, eldest daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse and the late Princess Alice of England, to Prince L'mia of Battenburg, a son of Prince Alexander of Hesse, was officially announced ion Monday. A large hamper from Birmingham which had been lying at the Limerick railway terminus for some days, was on Monday night opened by the constabulary. A number of six-chamberad revolvers of the newest pattern were found in the hamper, which, with its contents, was removed to the Police Barracks. Intelligence reached Glasgow on Monday that a Mr. Graham, with his family and two friends, were driving at Annan, near Dippen, which runs on the top of a precipice, 200 feet high, when the horse shied, and the whole company were thrown upon the rocks. Miraculously none fell over, but all received a severe shaking, and some bones were fractured. An explosion of gas took place on Monday in a cost pit at Park Hills near Wakefield, belonging to the Victoria Coal and Coke Company, and a miner who was acting as temporary furnace man was severely in- jured. He received t vo scalp wounds by being thrown forcibly to the ground, and his right collarbone was iracuured, He was also badly burned about the arms and f&ce. It is stated that the Prince of Wales, accompanied by several noblemen and gentlemen who take an in- terest in sport, recently went to Hurlingham and saw several matches where clay pigeons were used. They were highly satisfied with the result, and are of opinion that the clay pigeon may be substituted for the living bird. In Rome, on Monday, a crowd of friends, among whom were the whole of the Diplomatic Corps and many ladies and gentlemen of the Roman aristocracy, assembled at the railway station to bid farewell to Lady Paget and her daughter. Their carriage was almost filled with bouquets of beautiful flowers. The number of actual wrecks reported in all parts of the world during lat week ws 9 16, against 24 in the eorreeponding week of 1882. The total for the year to date is 993, or an increase of 207 compared with last year. Seven were British-owned vessels, of which three were steamers, the total tonnage of the latter being 4,032 tors. Lives lost amounted to 35 (including 25 lost in the Wauara), against 70 last year. The Board of Health at Boston, U.S., reports that during the last six months the port physician has examined 23,530 assisted immigrants, many of whom, being too feeble from age and other infirmities to support themselves, had to be aided. During last week the capture of salmon and grilse at some of the stations on the east coast of Scotland were remarkable. On Thursday no fewer than ten tons of splendid fish were landed between Montrose and Bervie, a distance of. six miles > and at Perth 101 salmon and grilse were naught at one sweep of the net. The Dai'y Mews says :-A member of the House of Coinmons who has recently visited Ireland has found much evidence of the improved condition of the country and of the rapid growth of the beneficial in- fluence of the Land Act. The evidence thus accumu- lated bv an impartial witness has been communicated to the Prime Minister, and has been acknowledged with much cordiality. In London, on Saturday evening, Mr. Benjamin, Q C., on his retirement from the English Bar, .was entertained at dinner in the Middle Temple H»H» which was crowded by an assembly representative ol the Bench and the Bar. The Attorney.general, who oresided, paid a high attribute to the merits of Mr. Benjamin, and passed an eloquent panegyric upon the brilliance which had marked his professional career,

NARRATIVES OF SUBVIYOBS, The following are accounts of the disaster given by some of the rescued men:— Henry O'Farrell, a rivetter, living at Govan, says —I was on board the vessel holding the launching flag. I heard the signal given to knock away the supports, and immediately the vessel moved off, I noticed that she was going very smartly, but paid no particular atten- tion to this until, in taking the water, the vessel heeled over to the port side. I threw the launching flag away and, thinking that perhaps the current hyl caused the vessel to c*ps>ize, I ran to the wheel along with the pilot, William Francis, a rigger, and another man whose name I do not know. The three of us worked hard at the wheel so as to counteract what we thought was the effect of the current. We turned it round several times, but it did not do any good the vessel was every moment going deeper down in the water, and, getting alarmed for my safety, I jumped off the stern into the water. I can swim, but not very well. I managed to keep my head above water, and shortly afterwards I waa pulled on board one of the tugs which were assisting at the launch. Alexander Crammond states :—I am a foreman joiner in the employment of the firm. I was on board the vessel waiting in case my services should be required for anything. I was on the forecastle head when the supporters were knocked away, and I paid atten- tion to the manner in which the ship left the ways. She seemed to go all right, but I noticed that she moved very quickly, more quickly than is usually the case. Almost drectly the keel touched the water I saw that the vessel was going to capsize, and I called out to a number of men standing near me, Look out, boys this is an awful business we will all be drowned." The next moment I was struggling in the water. I cannot swim at all, but I came to the surface and with a little difficulty succeeded in get- ting hold of a way block which was floating near. From Ibis I caught hold of one of the davits of the steamer, and get on to the side of her. She sank gradually, and I remained standing on her until the water was about up to my waist. I was taken off by I a tug. I had ehsrtra (,f about twenty men on board, and since the accident I have only Been three of them. John Russell, apainter, residing at Glasgow, says:— I had been working in the ship for about three weeks. I was standing about midships on the port side when the ship left the ways. She went down all right, but immediately on getting clear of the ways she went right over, just as if she were top heavy and had teo littie ballast. There were a lot of men standing about me at the time ahe went down. I caught hold of the rail on the port side, and when I saw that she was going to heel right over, I turned and went up the deck to the starboard side. I am a good swimmer, and I swam towards the Govan side of the river. Getting near the shore I was almost run down by the tug Hotspur, which was creating, but those on board saw me, ftnd I got out of the way; they threw me a lifebaoy, which I caught hold of. Another man, a rivetter, was in the water beside me at the time, aad as he was very ex- hausted and seemed to be sinking I gave him the pre- ference of the rope. We were then both pulled on board the Hotspur and saved. The deck of the steamer was crowded with men, and there were a great many engineers and joiners working below. It ia impossible that they can have been saved. The reason why there were so many on board was that tbey were trying to get the ship out of hand before the holidays commenced. I observed several men who were injured; some of them were bleeding, and I think might have been saved but for the injuries they had sustained. An eye-witness states: I was standing looking towards the yard. There was a considerable crowd of people standing along the river embankment, chiefly boys and girls. A number of persons were also col- lected in Messrs. Stephen's yard. They were all like myself waiting to see the vessel launched. All was in readiness when the ship moved away, and some of the people cheered. There appeared to be a large crowd on board, probably over 200 men at least, and I heard at the same time that some workmen were d"wn betow<t She slid down the ways very evenly and went into the water. No sooner, however, bad she got her own length into the stream than she canted and tumbled right over. In a moment or two she was clean out of sight. When she fell over her whole cargo of men and boys—there were a good many boys on board—tumbled with her into the water. I saw them like a mass on the surface of the river, and I saw some taken down in the suction caused by the submersion. I notieed, too, that the wood and other stuff slid off the vessel as she was falling, and came down smash on some of the drown- ing men. It must have struck them heavily, because I hear now that there was blood on some of those who got out safe. When the heap of men were all struggling, I heard shrieks and observed several sink. Those who did not go down clung to pieces of wood and other materials which floated from the deck when the accident happened. Two men were saved by hanging on to the smith's bellows. The scene was a fearful one, not to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. When the great crowd of human beings were struggling in the river, I saw among them six poor souls huddled together, scrambling and clutehing desperately at one another. This lasted for a few seaonds, and then they broke away from one another, but I could not tell whether aay of them were saved or n')t. I also saw three or four others trying to climb up the side of the vessel as she was going down, but just at the moment a gust of steam, from I think, the porthole, came rushing out, and they were obliged to let go and give up their attempt. I think that most of those who witnessed the sight from the shore were more or less appalled for a time and did not know what to do. There were many miraculous escapes and touching incidents. A joiner was cooped up in the narrow space known as the joiner's box, but he managed to extricate himself, and was saved. The body of a young man named Telfer was amongst the first to be recovered. Mr. D. C. Donaldson, a temperance lec- turer, saw the body as soon as it was taken into the mortuary, and thinking he recognised it, had the clothing examined, with the result thata card wasfound in one of the pockets bearing the name of Telfer. Mr. Donaldson at once undertook the melancholy duty of breaking the saa news to the dead man's relatives, and proceeded for this purpose to Telfer's house. The door was opened by the mother of the deceased, whom Mr. Donaldson asked if her son was in Govan. Ob, yes," she replied, "he went away down to see the launch; he's drowned, I know he's drowned." j His photograph was produced, and the visitor saw at once that the body of Govan was really that of this woman's son, and told her so as gently as he could. It then transpired that Mr. Telfer, whe is a dentist, had told his mcther where he was going, whereupon she begged of him to stay at home, as she had dreamed the previous night that something had happened to him. He went, nevertheless, with the saddest of results. Mr. Telfer was but twenty-one years of age, and began business on his own acoount only last week. At daybreak on Wednesday morning the melan- choly duty of searching for the bodies was resumed. As the corpses were landed one by one they were car- ried on ambulance stretchers to the Spar House, and there laid out on boards supported by trestles to await identification. Anxious fathers and brothers, grief-stricken mothers, and children sur- rounded the improvised mortuary throughout the entire night, heedless of the heavy rain and thunderstorm. At an early hour groups of undertakers were busily engaged in their task of coffin-making. As the dead were identified the bodies were removed to their homes by sorrowing friends and relations. As the morning wore on it became more and more painfully evident that the disaster has not in any degree been magnified. It is believed that the hold is full of dead bodies, and that the total number of those who have perished will reach the figure which was at first mentioned, viz., 150. The following telegram, addressed by Sir H, Pon- sonby to the Lord Provost of Glasgow, haB been re- cei ved "The Queen hopes that the account of the loss of life at the launch on the Clyde is exaggerated. Her Majesty, who is deeply grieved at the disaster, asks if you can give her any further information." The following reply has been sent by the Town Clerk to Sir Henry Ponsonby .— In the absence of the Lord Provost, who has been in London for some days on public business, your telegram has been received. Please convey to the Queen our deep and grateful appreciation of Her Majesty's kind inquiries. The number of persons who have lost their lives is still unknown, Fifty-two bodies have been recovered. The search is being actively prosecuted, and the result will be telegraphed to you to-morrowmorning. Her Majesty's kind expression of sympathy will be immediately communicated to the bereaved."

THE CHOLERA IN EGYPT. The cholera is continuing to rage with no intermis- sion in the north-east of the Delta. At Damietta on Sunday 145 deaths occurred, including 141 from cholera. At Mansourahon Saturday t' .ere were four, and on Sunday 14, fatal cases of cholera. At Port Said two patients died on Sunday. The proportion of deaths to population at Damietta exceeds greatly the highest reached in Alexandria during the epidemic of 1865. The number of fatal cases of cholera at Damietta on Monday waa 13). Twelve deaths occurred at Man- surah and four at Samanoud. On Tuesday the number of deaths from cholera at Damietta was 110. At Mansurah 15 cases occurred, of which six proved fatal. There were also three deaths at Samanoud and one at Shirbin. A telegram dated IsmLtilia, July 1, states that floating lazarettoes have been placed at Port Said and Suez so as to insssre the pilotage of steamers as usual. A telegram from Gibraltar states that a quarantine of 21 days is imposed at Gibraltar on vessels arriving from Egyptiaa ports. Steamers with clean bills of health will be coaled 'in quarantine alongside hulk, otherwise from lighters, coal to be received by steamer's crew. The Morning Post says :-We understand that the War-office authorities have decided, ia the event of the epidemic spreading, to remove the main body of the Army of Occupation in Egypt to the Mediterranean garrisons.