The Aberystwith Observer

tALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] AMBITION'S LADDER. By the Author of" Atherstone Grange," A Life for a Love," tfc. CHAPTER I. BRED IN THE STREETS. X narrow pass there is. with houses low, r Where ever and anon the stream is eyed, And many a boat soft gliding to and fro Thi ie oft are heard the sounds of infant woe, The short, t icktob, loud scream, and shriller squall. LESS than a score years back the south bank of the Thames between the ancient archiepiscop tl palace of Iambeth on the one hand and Westminster- bridge upon the other, was a neighbourhood to be avoided by prudent passengers—as much because of the evil smells and miry footways that there abounded, as on account of its deni ens, who, though for the main part a hardworking, indus- trious and comparatively honest community of hawkers, costermongers, and others, whose daily avocations were pursued in the open streets, yet numbered a fair proportion of inhabitants of a pre- datory class women of dirty, slatternly, unkempt appearance, loud tongued and voluble men slouching in their gait and generally reserved of speech, but ready on the slightest provocation to pour forth a string of foul-mouthed, horrible blasphemies-men who walked with their heads bent down, their sharp, ferret-like eyes incessantly upon the wat h for plunder as they went-their shoulders rubbing the walls of the dirty, dilapidated houses that lined the narrow, evil-odoured streets of Stangate Bank. Then, where now stands the stately, palatial building known as St. 'I honias's Hospital, facing the equally handsome pile wherein the wisdom, valour, and genius of England assembles to pass laws and make enactments for its better govern- ance, thousands of the masses for whose well- being and amelioration their rulers strive honestly, if not always wisely, lived huddled together in such Squalid misery as only great cities can show. It had long borne an evil reputation, but at no time worse than that more immediately preceding iis demolition to male room for the well-paved court-yards and terraces, the lofty corridors and airy wards, where pain and suii'ering arising either from accident or such ills as flesh is heir to," are now, as far as possible, alleviated by skilful treatment, kind nursing, an 1 unstinted nourishment. But at th6 period spoken of such radical changes were yet to come. Ill-looking, evi smelling, and of un- healthy associat ons, net even he er ction on the opposite bank of England's stately Senate House, ror the proximity of the noble bridge which there sp ns the hroad, swift-flowing river, could do away «v th the hideous appearance of the slimy foreshore, lined as it was v ith damp, dark tenements built for the most part of wood, foul, rotten wharves and dirty boat-houses. Here, some twenty yews ago, hidden from obser- vation by a couple of coal barges left half-buried in the soft, black n.ul by the receding tide, was gathered together a group of men and boys upon a small patch of comparatively dry ground. There were but two or three who could, in years at least, be classed as adults, the majority being composed of youths from sixteen to twenty some tall, well-built lads in costermonger's garb of corduroy, with fur caps having broad fa s tied up with tapes or rib- bons, closely cropped hair in most instances betray- Ing a recent acquaintance with the prison shears. Others were mere toys, some almost children, but all bore the same stamp of (ountenance, a precocity of intelligence fostered by an intimate acquaintance from the cradle if such luxuries ever found their way to Stangate-with craft, cunning and vicious habits. One, in the bright intelligence of his really hand- some, well-cut features, his frank, open, and some- what daring expression, seemed out of place among such companions. ] ut the stranger who had judged Alick "Wool Ly these O'.itw. r.1 signs, and placed trust in him because of them, or believed the clear, uncloude 1 eyes of dark grey to be an index to h's mind, would probably have had cause to repent his confidence aud confess ruefully that appearances are not always to be implicitly relied upon. Scarcely fourteen as yet, > nd not looking older than his years, Ali; k Wool was in experience of crooked ways and knowledge of all things evil an adept, but with le-s excuses than could be made for the majority of those he chose as his associates. Of bright J parts and no common aptitude, he had speedily learned as much as could be taught him at the day school to which he had boen sent by his father, an ignorant, untaught, but honest man, somewhat given to o er indulgence in liquor, but industrious and reputable, and quite unconscious that the boy of whom he was so proud was the daily associate of thieves and pickpockets. Perhaps, indeed, under pu'er conditions Alick might have developed other traits of c haracter, but hIs surroundings were against him. His home, the house in which his falher was born before him, ^nd carried on his business—that of a small retail dealer in provisions of all sorts was situated in the }^ry centre of the s ualid district just described. His only playground the streets, his sole companions those whom he met there, it is after all little wonder that the contaminating influences to which he was exposed should do their work and debase him to the common level. Still, up to the time which introduces him to the reader, Alick Woo;! had kopt aloof from actual crime, such as might have brought him within the reach of the law. It was not any conscientious scruples that made him refrain from the theft, indeed, but simply caution, and the further fact that his lather's inordinate fondness f r him made it always to obtain such bmall sums as for the present bounded his desires and enabled him. to indulge in the one amusement which above all others delighted him, a A isit to the theatre. Unfortunately, those most easily accessible pre- sented pieces to their patrons far from elevating in tendency, and though Alick Wood had read most of the works of our gieat dramatic poet, and even knew by heart and was fond of spouting some of the p rts to his admiring parent, his vitiated taste revelled more in the" blood and thunder school of drama as pourtrayed at his favourite resort. Claude Duval," < Sixteen-String Jack," and others of that ilk were the heroes he delighted to applaud, whose feats of rascality roused all his admiration, and to behold whom in" their bravery he alternately cajoled and bullied his doting parents for the means of entrance to the theatres at which their deeds were represented. But Alick Wood senior had his obstinate moods, When it was impossible for the boy to wheedle the Necessary coins from him, and one of these occasions happened at a time when more than ordinary attrac- tion offered in the revival. For one night only as the bills of the Transpontine playhouse advertised yitb all the adventitious aid of immense type and flaring posters of the celebrated drama Jack Shep- pard." "I don't care, I will go,'l doggedly muttered the J°y, as he flung out of the low roofed little shop, from 1 ehind tlie counter of which his usually indul- gent father had ,ust obstinately resisted the demand Upon. his purse, "I know the trick of opening the till well enough, and if the old hunks only gives me balf a chance I'll c.o it. Half a bull won't satisfy J:ne then, I'll collar half a sov, and do it to rights." But Mr. Wood was not unused to his son's Method of obtaining what he required, and kept so rigid a watch the v. hole.of that day that Alick found it impossible to carry out his design, and as the afternoon wore away his spirits sank to a very low ebb indeed at the prospect of being debarred the treat he had anticipated. 0 There was one chance left to him, though a poor one, and he regarded the two copper pieces which formed his sole riches with doubt as to whether he should risk the loss of them. Armed with that bUm, small as it was, he might hang about the gallery door till some one, not quite so enthusiastic a play-goer as himself, should come out and con- sent to barter his ret rn check for the money. But that, after all, would only enable him to witness a portion of the performance, and Alick hungered for a complete feast, not a mere taste. I know how to twist 'em proper," he reflected, spinning the coins deftlv in the air. I'll chance it." With which he quickened his pace, and passing through several crooked lanes and bye streets, even more villainously foul than that he had left, he emerged upon the shore, and joined the group made mention of already. Hallo here's Curly," was the greeting with which he was received. Come to try your luck, °td pal? There's room for a little 'un like you. Shove in/' The ]ad nodded his head, an I pushed his way through the circle of spectators till he stood in the foremost rank. i '• I've only got owt-yenep ('twopence), he said, so it's no use my tossing but I'll back Carrots to win the best two pitches out of three." "Done," quickly exclaimed one of the bystanders, and then the players proceedel with their game, which was simply that s e ies of gambling known to the initiated as pitch and-toss." It was not difficult to guess that the player whom Alick had elected to bacx was losing, for his fa'-e was very pale, an I the corners of his lips, though he kept them firmly compressed, twitched ne, vously eveiy now and then as he anxiously watched the coins sent spinning into the air by his antagonist. Tails it is i" he cried e till ngly, as ihey fell to the ground. "1 hat's the fiistone to me for the last half-hour. You've changed my luck, Curly, and I'll go you halves in the next three spins if it keeps good." The result of which promise was that a few moments afterwards Alick found himself in pos.ses sion of coppers amounting to ne;irlv a shilling, ;.nd here, bad he followel his first impulse of caution, he would have rested content v ith his easily gotten gains and retired from the scene of the content. But besides that a certain code of honour which exists even amongst such as these men forbade the step, with the usual infatuation that follows a first success in games of chance the lad determined to have another trial, entering the lists himself, win- ning at first, till he held qu'te a considerable sum in silver and coppers, which dwindled, however, still more rapidly; and at last he left the ring without I even the small capital upon which his gambling operations had been based. "(leaned out. Just my luck," he grumbled, walking sulkily away, his hands buried deep in his trousers pockets, his heal sunk dejectedly on hi3 chest as he cu-sed his ill fortune with as much re- sentment of th, fickle goddess's caprice as though he had made a bal book on the Derby, and his losses could have been counted in thousands of pounds instead of a mere handful of inferior coins. Why didn't I leave off when I was to the good ? There'Jl be no gaff for me to-night that's certain, unless I can get round the old man. Perhaps he' J be in a better humour now." Alas! his hopes in that respect were soon blasted. Mr. Wood, irate in the morning, was not improved in temper by his afternoon potations, and proved obdurate to the boy's coaxing. One solace remaine 1 to him. He could at least go to the outside of the 1 aradise from which he was shut out by want of means. There he could feast his eyes upon the gorgeous posters, the chaste wood- cuts that depicted the thrilling incidents of the drama, the "hairbreadth 'scapes" and daring deeds of its hero, and read the synopsis of he plot, dis- played upon the bills with all the varied attractions that belong to bold type-setting, interspersed with dashes and plentifully besprinkled with notes of admiration. These joys at least might be his, poor as he was; and who could say but that some good Samaritan might tire of the play, and coming out bestow his check for readmission upon him. Such things did happen sometimes. Nay, -had happened more than once to Alick himself, and why not now ? He could but make the attempt, at any rate, in the hope that, fortune might favour him and he made his way as night closed in to the goal of his des're. This was a tall, bare-looking edifice, with a square portico in front giving entrance to the boxes and pit. It was situated at the corner of a wide thoroughfare, trodden by thousands of hurrying feet, lighted up by brilliant gas-jets in the windows of handsome gin-palaces and the flickering flame of numberless lamps that illuminated the street stalls of the humble traders in every variety of commodity which lined the midway. i It was not unlike a fair in its characteristics. There were hundreds of stalls, each with its one or two lights. Here was to be seen a man showing off his wares by the red, smoky flame of the old-fashionod grease lamp; there another has fashioned an extem- pore candlestick out of a large turnip. Farther on a seedy-looking man, with a long row of dilapidated boots and shoes before him, carries on his business with the aid of a tallow dip wrapped round with coarse brown paper, that flares away with the candle. Some of the stalls He crimson with the red glow of charcoal shining through the bars of the baked- chestnut stove, others have handsome, lamps; while, again, on the inner side of the pavement, butchers' flaming jets of gas stream and flutter in the wind like banners of fire, the whole pouring forth such a flood of light that at a distance the sky overhead presents as lurid an appearance as though some fire was raging. ,,Ing. Such was the neighbourhood and its attractions to which, just about the hour that Alick Wood was gazing with longing eyes upon the portals through which his poverty prevented him from passing, a gentleman of aristocratic appearance, and attired in faultlessly cut garments, found his way, attracting mora attention from the ragged urchins who swarmed here, there, and everywhere than he seemed quite to relish. What a confounded idiot I must have been to trust myself in spch a terra inrognitahe muttered, as with some little difficulty he extricated himself from a mob of by no means sweet-odoured youths and frowsy women cru-hing towards the pit-door of the theatre he was passing. What on earth could have induced her to appoint a meeting here! I hope I haven't hurt you, my lad." Alick Wood-for it was he with whom the gen- tleman, in pushing his way through the crowd, had come rather violently into collision—looked up in bis face with a mischievous smile. No bones broke, sir," he replied, with an impu- dent ease that produced a res onsive smile on the gentleman's features; "I ain't killed this time, though you did come down rather heavy on my toes. But I don't bear you no ill will. Tip us a tanner, and I won't give you in charge for assault." The gentleman laughed at the boy's impudence, and tossed a shilling towards him. Buy a plaster with that," he said, and turned away. "Won'i I, just!" delightedly exclaimed Alick, catching the coin with no small dexterity, and trans- ferring it to his own pocket after spitting on it for luck," and then, without stopping to thank the donor, he darted off with his pri e. Not far, though, for instead of following his first impulse and rushing into the theatre, he turned to look after the gentleman once more. It was a sore struggle, but he was a sharp lad, and it suddenly stru-k him as strange that a "regu- lar West End swell,' (he was quite well enough ac- quainted wi h the genus by sight to feel sure that the stranger was no pretender-, should be prowling about a neighbourhood so remote from his natural haunts. It might be worth his while, Alick thought, with the precocity bred of his street training, to find out more about the stranger and his object in visiting the slums of Lambeth and, after a slight hesitation on this point, he renounced "Jack Sheppard," and followed cautiously in the wake of the quarry he had marked for his own. (To be continued.)

THE RECENT FIGHTING IN THE SOUDAN. A Times' telegram, dated Wady Haifa, June 26, says The messengers sent to Dongola returned here yesterdaty, bringing a letter from the only European merchant there. The writer, alluding to the recent fight near Merawi, says it is true that a considerable number of Shaggias were killed by the Bashi-Bazouks. He declares, however, that these were not armed rebels, but peasants who had refused to pay taxes. Many of the persons killedwere women and children. The peasants, doubtless, sought to defend themselves, for two Bashi-Bazouks were killed and ten were wounded. The letter continues The Mudir went to Merawi after the fighting, which lasted from May 17 to May 20, and restored order in the district. He then returned to Oordeh, or New Dongola, one day's march distant from Old Dongola, whence it is half a day's march to Debbe, and one day and a half's march to Merawi. Berber is three days' march from Merawi across the desert. The news of the fall of Berber has reached Dongola, but it is not believed. The various reports agree in stating that the rebels around Berber are without firearms. About 200 of the inhabitants of Oordeh are in a great state of alarm, and are very anxious to escape, but are restrained from doing so by the Mudir. Of the 600 Bashi-Bazouks enrolled only 150 are fit for service the rest are mostly boys, unable to carry a rifle." The writer of the letter is himself anxious to leave Oordeh, but fears being robbed en route, even if he should succeed in leaving the town.

Fortune knocks at every man's door once in a life. But in some cases it only stops long enough to leave a printed circular.

THE PRESTON BANK FRAUDS. The New York World of June 19, just to hand, contains the following report of the proceedings in the New York courts in the case of Tully, whose extradition was sought on a charge of forgery, he having been the manager of the Preston Banking Company: Judge Addison Brown, of the United States Dis- trict Court, yesterday gave his decision on the cer- tiorari proceedings in the Tully case, and discharged the prisoner. The deputy-sheriff, who held a warrant for Tully's arrest in the civil suit against him by the directors of the Preston Banking Association, took him in custody as soon as he was released by the deputy-marshals. The decision in the Tully case has an interest in connection with the charges against John C. Eno, whose extradition from Canada is sought on somewhat similiar charges. Judge Brown recited the particulars of the charges brought against Tully, and concluded as follows For the purposes of this hearing, on the claim of extradition by the British Government, I am precluded from deciding upon this as an original question, inasmuch as in a case identical with the present, as it seems to me, in all essential particulars, the Court of Appeal in England has held this offence not to amount to forgery. I refer to the case of Charles Windsor, who in 1869, was arrested in London upon a charge of forgery upon the Mercantile Bank of this city, in making false and fraudulent entries in the book of the bank. There has been no change in the laws or statutes of either country in this respect, so far as I know, since this decision. It is immaterial what my own judgment might be whether, as an original question, the case of Windsor or that of Tully constitutes forgery. At common law, so long as the point has been adjudi- cated to the contrary in England, in whose behalf the extradition is here sought, this adjudication must be deemed to be the settled law of England until it is in some way modified or reversed, and I have not found any contrary or inconsistent adjudication. While the definitions of forgery there given are in some respects, I think, too limited, the case of Windsor as an authority determines the English law as regards forgery in the particulars. By that adjudication Tully could not be convicted or lawfully charged with the offence of forgery in respect to the transactions here complained of, and it would evidently be im- proper to order his extradition upon a charge which the law of that country declares cannot be maintained in constituting forgery under the Treaty.

THE COACHING CLUB. The second meet of the Coaching Club, which took place in Hyde-park on Saturday, though not quite so large as the first, there being only 22 coaches out as against 27 on the 17th of May, was in some respects the better of the two, for the number of people present at it was not inconveniently great, and the coaches themselves were better horsed than is sometimes the case at meets of the junior club. The unusually fine weather of itself helped to make the meet a very pleasant one, for as a rule rain comes down in torrents when the coaches meet in Hyde-park, and this is the first season for many years that the meets of both driving clubs have been so favoured. But fine as was the weather on Saturday, the park was not so full as usual, and there were not half as many people at the Powder Magazine as there were at the last meet. The Duke of Beaufort having ceased to identify himself with the Coaching Club, of which he has been president -since its formation, the -Vice-President, Lord Hothfield, generally takes the lead, but he was not out on Satur- day, Lord Charles Beresford, Sir Thomas Peyton, and Mr. W. E. Oakeley being the only members of the two clubs who attended both meets. None of them being upon the committee of the Coaching Club, the command was taken by Mr. James Foster, who had a very serviceable team of chestnuts out on Saturday. Mr. Foster is a very old member of the club, and he rarely misses a meet, the pity being that there should be so many members of the club who never put in an appearance. Mr. Foster had as his followers on Saturday Sir William Eden (bays), Mr. Deichmann (browns), Mr. Reade (three bays and a roan), Mr. Wynne (blacks), Lord Charles Beresford (three grays and a steel roan) Mr. Crompton Roberts (bays), Mr. Mitchell (browns), Colonel Atkman (browns of two shades), Mr. C. Palmer, M.P. (bays), the drag of the 3rd Hussars from Hounslow (three bays and a chestnut), driven by Lieutenant Long, Mr. R. Morley (browns), Mr. Albert Brassey (bays), Sir Thomas Peyton (grays), Mr. Carter Wood (roans), Mr. Seager Hunt (browns), Mr. H. Brassey, M.P. (browns), Major Jary (a roan and a bay wheeler, with a roan and a gray leader), Mr. Arthur Flower (three browns and a roan), Mr. W. E. Oakeley (browns and chestnuts crossed), Mr. C. E. Hargreaves (three browns and a roan), and Mr. Braithewaite (bays). As at the meet of the Four-in-Hand Club, brown was the predominating colour, four teams of this shade which commanded universal admiration being those of Mr. Seager Hunt, Mr. H. Brassey, Mr. Deichmann, and Mr. R. Morley. At the same time, the bays of Sir William Eden, Mr. C. M. Palmer, Mr. Crompton Roberts, and Mr. Albert Brassey were equally good, and then, again, the blacks of Mr. Wynne, the roans of Mr. Carter Wood, the chestnuts of Mr. Foster, and the mixed team of Mr. Arthur Flower were full of good points. Mr. Oakeley's team was also a very fine one, and Sir Thomas Peyton's grays, although not quite so showy as some teams, are the true type of coach-horses. The Ox- fordshire baronet's coach, like most of the others, was almost full outside, though English coachmen have too much good sense to overload their coaches with friends, and put the grooms inside, as is done in Paris. The wife of the French Ambassador and her sister were accommodated with seats upon one of the coaches, and many well-known members of society had accepted invitations for the drive to Richmond. Mr. Foster started from the Magazine at ten minutes to one, but he did not himself go beyond Queen's- gate, and many of the other coaches turned back at the same time, leaving only Messrs. H. and A. Brassey, Mr. Reade, Mr. Arthur Flower, Mr. Seager Hunt, Mr. Hargreaves, Mr. Brathwaite, Mr. Crompton Roberts, Mr. Deichmann, and Major Jary to go on to Richmond, where they arrived for luncheon shortly before two o'clock.

THE COBDEN CLUB DINNER. The annual dinner of the Cobden Club took place on Saturday at the Ship Hotel, Greenwich, and was attended by nearly 200 gentlemen. Most of the com- pany went down by a special steamer, which started from the stairs at the House of Commons in the pre- sence of a large number of spectators on Westminster- bridge. The Right Hon. Lord Carlingford, Lord Pre- sident of the Council, presided, Mr. T. B. Potter, M.P., hon. secretary of the club, occupying the prin- cipal vice-chair. The Chairman, in proposing The Memory of Cob- den and Prosperity to the Club," pointed out the great struggle which Cobden made in the cause of freedom, and the efforts he used in the cause of peace among nations. He said they did not know what at the pre- sent time would have been Mr. Cobden's views of the situation, but at any rate he was sure he would not have been ready to leave matters in the hands of a so- called Tory democracy. Free trade was really a science, and science was an exalted common sense, and had Cobden lived at the present time he was sure he would have been first and foremost in the proposed extension of the franchise, and in any effort which the Government might make which should place Egypt under the pacific guardianship of all Powers. Mr. H. H. Fowler, M.P., replying to the toast, said that free trade was commercially sound and politically safe, and that was the view the Government had, and it induced them to carry it out in the spirit of Cobden.

SHOOTING GALLERY ACCIDENT. ¡ On Wednesday a coroner's inquiry was held into the cause of the death of a child killed at an 0 dd fellows' and Forester's fete at Petersfield on Monday last. The child, who was about four years of age, climbed into a chair at the target end of a shooting gallery. A bullet hitting the bull's-eye passed right through the back of the gallery and entered the child's head, from the effects of which it died three hours afterwards. It was shown that the bull's-eye plate was very defective. The jury held there was culpable negligence on the part of Joseph Matthews, the owner of the shooting gallery, against whom they returned a verdict of Manslaughter," but they acquitted the gentlemen who were shooting from all blame.

SAD FATALITY IN AUSTRIA. A Vienna telegram states that another thunder- storm which occurred on Tuesday in Bukovina caused even greater loss of life than the last one. At about 2 p.m., when the storm broke out, eight workmen, with the inspector of the line and his wife, were on the railway beyond Czernowitz. There was a high embankment at the spot, and under it a cavity in which some thick beams had been placed. Hera the workmen took refuge, and were seen in it from a passing train. The rain came down in torrents and the water in a few minutes poured in upon them in a rapid stream. The workmen tried to save themselves by standing on the beams, but they could not resist the force of the flood, and were drowned. In the evening some labourers found the bodies. A special train soon brought a surgeon, some medicine, and litters. Three of the victims were found pressed between the beams and dead. Close by lay the woman mortally hurt. Three more bodies were afterwards recovered.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. On Wednesday a deputation from the Royal Agri- cultural Society waited upon Lord Carlingford and Mr. J. G. Dodson (who were accompanied by Mr. West, of the Inland Revenue Department) to put before the Privy Council recommendations in favour of an annual return showing the number and average i weight of animals bred and slaughtered in the United Kingdom. The deputation was introduced by Sir Brandreth Gibbs, and included Sir Massey Lopes, Lord Wilbraham Egerton, Mr. James Howard, M.P., Mr. J. Dent Dent, and Mr. Jacob Wilson. The speakers urged that such a return, if it could be ob- tained from the farmers and butchers, would be of the greatest value.J Lord Carlingford, in reply, said the department were in accord with the object of the deputation, and the only question was as to the means of accomplish- ing their object. It might be useful if the depart- ment prepared a draft return, a copy of which would be forwarded to the Royal Agricultural Society. Any recommendations emanating from that body ] would receive most careful attention. Mr. Dodson said that, although the Privy Council had been most anxious to get the information necessary, they had been unable to obtain information sufficiently trustworthy to put before the public. Mr. West said his department would offer no im- ] pediment to this return, but the farmers were rather apt to resent applications for information as to their business. The deputation then retired. (

———————————. E REPORTED CAPTURE OF DEBBAH. 1 In a telegram, dated Assouan, Wednesday, the special correspondent of the Daily News says :— 1 The regiment of Egyptian cavalry, five hundred i soldiers, arrived to-day. The English battalion is expected the day after to-morrow. t A rumour is circulating that Debbah has been g attacked by 12,000 Arabs, and the town captured ( by assault. Three thousand of the garrison and in- habitants are said to have been killed. s The Mudir of Dongola, with a number of officers, ( has gone in the direction of Debbah, with what object is not known.

THE BOTANIC SOCIETY'S FETE. On Wednesday evening the annual evening fete in the < gardens of the Royal Botanic Society, Regent's-park, London, was held, under the most favourable condi- tions. The promise of magnificent weather attracted an unusually large gathering of visitors, who thronged the broad walk and every corner of the grounds until past midnight: while the stillness of the atmosphere enabled the myriads of coloured lamps with which the gardens were illuminated to produce the desired effects in the fullest advantage. The scene on the lake was most brilliant, a large pagoda, traced in coloured lamps, standing out boldly in the centre and forming an admirable position for the band of the Scots Guards stationed therein. The rustic bridge, the tower, and the shores of the lake were also well defined with coloured lamps, with which many of the trees about the grounds. were also illuminated. From time to time the gardens were lighted up by coloured fires, but the total absence of even the slightest breeze caused the smoke to linger around the shrubs and trees, so that it was eventually thought better to curtail this feature in the programme. In the large tent and in the covered walk usually devoted to fruit exhibitions, a number of roses and floral decorations was exhibited, prizes being awarded to successful competitors. In the course of the evening the Maori King and his suite visited the gardens at the invitation of the president and council, one and all expressing the most unqualified admiration at the scene which was presented to them, King Tawhiao being especially charmed with the view of the lake. A large party of Chinese visitors was also present, and remained de- lighted spectators of the brilliant scene until a late hour. In addition to the band of the Scots Guards, the bands of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and the Coldstream Guards were stationed in the conservatory and the orchestras on either side of the broad walk.

THE PIED PIPER CELEBRATION. Writing from Hamelin on Sunday the correspon- dent of the Daily News says The Sexcentenary of the Pied Piper, whose story is so familiar in England by Browning's poem, was cele- brated here yesterday and to-day most successfully. All the streets and houses of this quaint old Hano- verian town were gaily decorated with flags, oakleaf garlands, and mottoes. Little figures and busts of the rat-catcher, Hunold, stood in many windows, and the bakers did a great trade in cakes shaped as rats. Dense crowds, numbering many thousands had arrived from neighbouring towns and villages, and filled the streets. The festival began yesterday J afternoon with a procession representing the delivery t of the town from the rats. First appeared a band in < red and white costumes of the thirteenth century to clear the streets. Soon after the Pied Piper left what is still known as the ratcatcher's house, and, playing i on his pipe, walked through the streets. The person, t who acted the part very well, wore a brown jerkin, I kneebreeches, and a scarlet hat with long, red cock's t feathers. At the shrill strains of the pipe the children e of Hamelin town, all dressed and disguised as rats, emerged from doorways and hiding-places, and followed t the Piper, forming an ever-increasing troop. The pro- cession passed through the same streets as are described by the legend, and on reaching the Fishgates num- bered some 500 children of all ages, all representing E rats. The procession then marched across the fine chain bridge which spans the Weser river, and passed to the left bank, where a popular fete came off on the ( plateau of the Klritberg, which was well furnished t with tents, tables, and benches. Some 10,000 persons t gathered in the large festival hall, which was illumi- t nated by the electric light. An excellent representa- tion of tableaux showing scenes from the legend took i place, followed later by a banquet and ball. To-day's second part of the celebration represented. the carrying off the children. Again the piper j walked through the streets playing a merry tune, while the children—but more than one hundred and thirty as the legend tells us-ran gaily after him, being followed in turn by their parents and the burghers, all in the costume of the time. The- entire procession numbered over 1000 persons. On the left bank of the river a narrow cleft in the hillside had been improvised with pine trees and branches, and into this the piper disappeared, followed by the j children. Thus was the mournful event of 1284 symbolically repeated at Hamelin town 600 years later.

Colours are fast when they don't run, and run when 1 they are not fast. Aunt Jane," said an exasperated wife, I wish it was a custom for women to trade husbands as it is for men to trade horses Why, my dear?" Because, if it was, I'd cheat some woman before sundown."

¡ THE SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS. The following are the special questions which have been arranged for discussion at the next Social Science Congress, which is to be held at Birmingham on Sep- tember 17-24: 1. Department of Jurisprudence and the Amend- ment of the Law.—International and Municipal Law Section.—1. Is it desirable to introduce into the United Kingdom an official record of rights and interests in land such as exists in the Australasian colonies ? 2. What reforms are desirable in the law relating to the arrest and continued detention of alleged lunatics and to the control of their property ? 3. What amendments are required in the system of local government in England, with regard to areas, functions, and representative or other authorities ? Repression of Crime Section.—1. Can our prisons be rendered, in a considerable degree, self-supporting, and, if so, by what means, without a sacrifice of their discipline and deterrent effect ? 2. Should schools of discipline be established for the correction of juvenile offenders and their detention for short periods ? 3. What means would reduce the traffic in stolen property ? II. Education.-I. Do the powers now exercised by the Charity Commissioners over the endowed schools of the country stand in need of modification, and, if so, in what direction, and to what extent ? 2. How far are the requirements of the country for well-trained teachers in elementary schools met by the pupil-teacher system and the existing training colleges ? 3. In testing the efficiency of schools should processes or results be chiefly regarded ? III. Health.—1. What is the best method of dealing with (a) town sewage, (b) the products of house and street scavenging, and (c) the products of combustion ? 2. What are the best means, legislative or other, of securing those improvements in the dwellings of the poor which are essential to the welfare of the community ? 3. How far may the average death-rate of a population be considered an efficient test of its sanitary condition; and by what means can the high death-rate of children be reduced ? IV. Economy and Trade Department.—1. Would it be advantageous to give to leaseholders powers entitling them to the purchase of the fee-simple of the lands and premises they occupy, or otherwise to interfere by law with the prevailing system of build- ing and other long leases ? 2. What has been the working of the Employers' Liability Act, 1880, and is any amendment of it desirable ? 3. What is the social condition of the working classes in 1884, as compared with 1857, when the first meeting of the National Association for the promotion of Social Science was held in Birmingham and in what way can the working classes best utilise their savings? V. Art.—1. Ought elementary instruction in drawing to be made an essential part of the national education ? 2. What is the value to the ear, the mind, the health, and the disposition of the young, produced by class instruction in music? 3. How can a love and appreciation of art be best developed among the masses of the people ?

THE CASE OF LORD ST. LEONARDS. Shortly before the rising of the court at the Old Bailey on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Keith Frith said that last session he appeared for the prosecution in the case of Lord St. Leonards. The defendant was convicted, and judgment was postponed to the present session, and, for the convenience of a great many parties who were not in attendance, he asked his lordship to state when sentence was likely to be pro- nounced. The Recorder said that he had already caused it to be made known to the parties interested that he should not give judgment until the end of the session. Mr. Keith Frith said that in the present state of the business it was very doubtful when the end of the session would arrive, and he asked that some more definite statement should be made by the court. The Recorder said that all he could state upon the subject was that sentence would be passed at the end of the business.

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