The Aberystwith Observer

DEATH of the POSTMASTER-GENERAL. The comparatively sudden death of the Right Hon. Henry Fawcett, M.P., her Majesty's Postmaster- General, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, sent a painful thrill of sincere regret throughout the whole community. It was only on the Saturday previous that Mr. Fawcett arrived at his quiet residence, 18, Brookside, Cambridge. He was then in his accus- tomed health, and, indeed, in conversation with friends, he was wont to describe himself as feeling very well. Next to angling, riding was Mr. Fawcett's favourite recreation, and on the day of his arrival he had a ride of fourteen miles on horseback, which he appeared to enjoy with his accustomed zest. But it was his last outing. In the evening some friends joined him at dinner; and next day the first appearances of illness developed them- selves. Dr. Latham saw him, and recognised the symptoms as those of the dreaded pleurisy and pneu- monia. Dr. Paget also saw the patient next day. On the Tuesday he became very ill but improved somewhat on the Wednesday. Mrs. Garrett Ander- son, M.D., his sister-in-law, arrived from London, and thought very gravely of his condition. On Thursday morning Sir Andrew Clark was also sum- moned from town, but arrived only in time to witness the last scene, at half-past five o'clock. The imme- diate cause of death was failure of the heart's action. The inflammation was present chiefly in the right lung, and the gravity of the attack was recognised from the first by his medical attendants, in view of tho crisis through which he passed not quite two years ago. Mr. Fawcett was a son of Mr. William Fawcett, an alderman of Salisbury, and a magistrate for that city, by his marriage with Mary, daughter of the late Mr. "VVilliata Cooper, of the same city. He was born in the year 1833, and received his early education at King's College, London, completing it at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he was a successful competitor for a scholarship. He took his bachelor's degree there in January, 1856, obtaining the place of seventh wrangler in what was considered a "good year." He was elected, almost as a matter of course, to a fellowship, and proceeded master of arts in 1859. Four years later, namely, in 1863, though he had previously written thoughtfully on social and political questions, his name first became known to the world by his offer- ing himself as a candidate in the advanced Liberal interest for the representation of Cambridge borough, on a casual vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Andrew Steuart, but he was defeated by Mr. Francis S. Powell. In February, 18G4, he offered himself as a candidate for Brighton, but with a like result. At the general election, however, which followed a few months later, his ambition was gratified, and he was returned to Parliament along with the late Mr. James White. He bad already been nominated to the pro- fessorship of Political Economy at his old University. His first important publications were-a" Manual of Political Economy," The Economic Position of the British Labourer," and a variety of pamphlets all more or less in the same direction. He lost his seat at Brighton, however, at the General Election of January, 1874, but was not destined to remain long outside St. Stephen's, fur in the following April he was returned for the newly enfranchised borough of 11 Hackney, in the place of Sir Charles Reed, who had represented it in the previous Parliament. This seat he held down to the time of his decease. The life of a man of a philosophical turn of mind is not often very eventful, being largely devoted to his study and his books. But, in spite of his blindness, caused by an accident when out shooting so far back as September, 1858, he lived much among his books and read and wrote constantly, his devoted wife being his interpreter and often his scribe. In Parliament, as is well known, he took an active and zealous share in advocating the ballot in its earlier stages the ex- tension of the franchise to properly-qualified women the extension of the advantages of something like a university education under the name of secondary edu- cation to the middle and lower classes, with a view to their ultimate enfranchisement, which he saw was even then looming in the distance; the establish- ment of undenominational academical education" in Ireland; the reform of many points in our legal administration, and of our financial system in India, and generally the abolition of all sinecures and special privileges. Both in Parliament and out of it, at Cambridge and elsewhere, in the columns of the Times and in the pages of more than one magazine, Mr. Fawcett lectured the world on such subjects as Local Taxation," Corporate Property in Land," The Prevention and Settlement of Strikes," The necessity of giving to the labourer some interest in the land which he tills," Paupers and pauperism," and i such other social problems. At the last General Election, when the large Liberal majority brought Mr. Gladstone back into Downing- street, Mr. Fawcett was not forgotten in the distribu- tion of offices; and to him was entrusted, in spite of his blindness, the management of the General Post- office. In this capacity he certainly showed great ability and administrative powers of a high order; and his brief tenure of the office of Postmaster-General has been already marked by numerous improvements in our money order system, and by the introduction of the Parcel Post, which, as yet, is perhaps still on its trial, or at all events waits for such further modi- fications and extensions as experience may suggest. A promise of sixpenny telegrams was also extended by Mr. Fawcett, and arrangements for this improve- ment are now in progress. On becoming Postmaster- General Mr. Fawcett, in conforming with established precedent, was sworn a member of her Majesty's Privy Council. Mr. Fawcett was elected as Lard Rector of Glasgow University in 1883. In 1867 Mr. Fawcett married the lady to whom we have already referred as his amanuensis as well as his wife. This lady, who has gained considerable fame and reputation as a lecturer, is Millicent, daughter of Mr. Nathaniel Garrett, of Aldborough, Suffolk. She is the author of a small book entitled Political Economy for Beginners," first published in 1870, and which reached a second edition in 1872. In the same year she also published, jointly with her husband, a volume of Essays and Lectures on political and economical subjects. In 1870 she first came before the world as a lecturer, discoursing at Brighton upon the Electoral Disabilities of Women; and she has frequently appeared as the advocate of this and other cognate causes at public meetings and associations and congresses. Mrs. Fawcett survives as a widow; and the father of Mr. Fawcett still lives on at Salis- bury, a nonagenarian and something more," to lament the loss of his brilliant and talented son. The news of the death of the Postmaster-General reached the House of Commons shortly after Mr. Gladstone finished his speech on the re-introduction of the Franchise Bill, and was received with consider- able surprise and regret. The illness of the right hon. gentleman was so recent that many members of Parliament were unaware of it. Mr. Fawcett's popularity in the House was enhanced not only by his amiable personal character, but also by reason of his spirited administration of the Post Office, and by the success with which his public career had advanced notwithstanding his severe physical affliction. He was in his 52nd year. THE FUNERAL. On Monday morning the funeral of Mr. Fawcett took place in the little churchyard of Trumpington, near Cambridge, when there was a vast gathering of the friends of the deceased, net only from the Hall, with which he bad so long and honourably been asso- ciated, but from all classes, and from all parts of the kingdom. Collegians, politicians, and social friends all met together in one common mourning. Early in the day the town of Cambridge showed plainly the respect in which the deceased was held. The peal of bells always given on the birthday of the Princ j of Wales was rung at six o'clock in the morn- ing, and was of the shortest possible dura- tion. Up to noon most of the shops in the principal thoroughfares kept their shutters closed, while at the various public buildings all the flags were half-mast. At the morning service in Trinity Hall, of which the late Professor was for so many years a fellow, the Rev. Henry Latham, the Vice- Master, introduced the Collect and Lesson of the Burial Service. Immediately afterwards, the whole of the members of the college, attired in full acade- mical costume, assembled for the purpose of proceed- ing in a body to the funeral, headed by the Master, Sir Henry Maine. The Vice-Chancellor of the uni- versity, Dr. Ferrers, with most of the principals of colleges and professors, went direct to the church, a Council of the Senate, convened for the morning, being at once adjourned until later in the day. The Mayor of Cambridge (Mr. Redfarn), who has been re-elected, wished to attend, together with the other members of the Corporation; but the wording of the law compelled them to assemble, at twelve o'clock, by which hour the procession was approaching the ceme- tery. A special train from London arrived at Cambridge at a quarter after eleven, bringing, amongst others, Sir W. Vernon Harcourt, Mr. Childers, 11 Sir Charles Dilke, Mr. J. A. and Miss Mundella, the Earl of Camperdown, the Earl of Dalhousie, Mr. Holms, M.P., Mr. ShawLefevre, M.P., Mr. Leonard Courtney, M.P., and Mrs. Courtney, Mr. John Morley, M.P., Mr. A. Morley, M.P., Mr. Craig-Sellar, M.P., Mr. Plunket, M.P., Mr. Campbell, M.P., Mr. Stuart Rendel, M.P., Mr. Cotes, M.P., Sir W. Lawson, M.P., Mr. Rath- bone, M.P., Mr. W. Fowler, M.P., Mr. Pass- more Edwards, M.P., Mr. Howard, M.P., Mr. Stevenson, M.P., Mr. F. W. Buxton, M.P., Mr. Osborne Morgan, M.P., Mr. S. Buxton, M.P., Mr. Barron, M.P., Mr. Illingworth, M.P., Mr. C. Parker, M.P., Mr. Thomasson, M.P., Mr. J. K. Cross, M.P., SirThos. Brassey,M.P., Mr. It. Gladstone, M.P., Mr. Hopwood, M.P., the Hon. H. Lawrence, Mr. Shield, M.P., Mr. A. Cohen, M.P., Mr. J. R. Hollond, M.P., Mr. Vernon Lushington,Mr. M.Lightwood, Mr. E. R. Squarey (Agent General for the Cape of Good Hope), Mr. Eustace Smith, M.P., Mr. E. J. Campbell (of the Royal Normal College for the Blind), Sir T. F. Bux- ton, Mr. G. J. Holyoake, Mr. Mark Judge, Mr. Samuelson, M.P., and Mr. T. A. Dickson, M.P. The Post Office was represented by Mr. S. A. Blackwood, Chief Secretary; Mr. A. Turnor, Financial Secretary; Mr. Patey, Third Secretary; Mr. H. Joyce and Mr. Rea, Assistant Secretaries; and Major Sturgeon, together with the chiefs of every department, and delegates from each branch. Professor Jack was present as representing the University of Glasgow, of which Mr. Fawcett was Lord Rector at the time of his death. Long before the time named (half-past eleven) for the funeral procession to leave Brookside, the whole roadway for nearly the mile and a-half from the house to the churchyard was lined by thousands of spectators. Every blind in the houses was drawn, and the utmost order prevailed amongst the vast multitude. Punctually to the time named the coffin was borne from the house and placed on the bier, where it was literally hidden from sight by the mass of flowers placed upon it. Amongst these were offer- ings from all branches of the Post-offices in London, Manchester, Plymouth, Glasgow, Cambridge, Maccles- field, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Blackburn, Perth, and other places, the London School of Medicine for Women, the Natives of India,MissFlorenceNightingale,the students of Girton and Newnham, the Hackney Liberal Associa- tion, Lady Harcourt, Lady Dillon, Mr. and Mrs. Mundella, &c. The coffin, which was of unpolished oak, was not visible for this flowery pall, neither could there be seen the unostentatious brass plate bearing the simple inscription, Henry Fawcett, August 26, 1833.—Nov. 6, 1884;" but a name-plate of flowers had been provided by some thoughtful sender of one of the floral tributes and H. F." stood out boldly in letters of white and violet. Conspicuous among these bright ornaments was one which took the shape of the Irish harp, the gift of the Dublin Sorting Office. When the funeral procession started, many wreaths were still arriving some still unpacked were being carried by Post-office servants to the churchyard. An open carriage, also filled with wreaths, which it was impossible to place upon the car, followed, and then, in the four single-horse mourning coaches provided for the mourners of the family were Mr. W. Fawcett, Mr. T. Fawcett, Mr. and Mrs. Newson Garrett, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson and Miss Wilkinson, Mr. George Garrett, Mr. Gibb, Mr. Wheaton, Mr. and Mrs. Salmon, and the private secretary of the deceased, Mr. Dryhurst. On either side of the coffin walked some of the employes of the Cambridge Post-office and the servants of Trinity Hall. Mrs. Faweett, together with her daughter and Miss Agnes Garrett, left the house earlier, and drove direct to Trumpington Church. The rear of the procession was brought up by deputations from the Hackney Liberal Association, Hackney Vestry, Cam- bridge Liberal Association, the various depart- ments of the General Post office, and a great number of Collegians, ranging in rank and dignity from masters and professors to under- graduates. In carriages were Dr. Paget, Professor McKenny Hughes, Mr. J. Death (ex-Mayor), Pro- fessor Latham, &c., but the greater part of the pro- cession walked. Amongst the chief officers of the, University who were assembled when the funeral, party arrived were the Vice-Chancellor (Dr. Ferrers) the Masters of Peterhouse, Clare, Pembroke, Queen's St. Catherine's, Christ's, Magdalen, Trinity, Emman- uel, and Sidney Sussex, while the Professors included Dr. Westcott, Professors Seeley, Sidgwick, Adams, Skeat, Foster, Stokes, and Canons Swainson and Lumley. Lady Harberton, Mrs. Ashton Dilke, Mrs. Pennington, Mrs. Charles McLaren, Miss Muller, and Miss Becker, accompanied by Mr. W. Woodall, M.P., attended as representatives of the Women's Suffrage movement. The church was reached about a qua-ter after twelve o'clock. The sorrowful service, simple and brief, was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. E. B. Birks),and the Rev. J. C. Egerton, of Burwash a personal friend of the deceased. The church portion of the service finished, the mourners followed the bearers of the re- mains into a thronged churchyard, and passing out- wards one noticed as a feature of the day's ceremony the presence of Superintendent Denning and two of his House of Commons police staff who have often rendered Mr. Fawcett the assistance which his physical misfortune rendered necessary, and who evidently had a melancholy satisfaction in taking part in the right hon. gentleman's obsequies. Before the coffin was lowered into the grave fresh wreaths were added to its weight of flowers, the Home Secre- tary and the Earl of Dalhousie, as already mentioned, contributing on behalf of their wives magnificent examples of this kind of floral tribute. The remains were gently lowered into a moss-and-flowered-covered bed, and the solemn sentences read in the presence of a hushed assemblage. Then, after a lingering look into the grave, the mourners passed sorrowfully through the crowd, which immediately afterwards began to melt away. At Salisbury most of the shops were either wholly or partly closed. There exists a strong feeling in the city that some steps should be at once taken to per- petuate the memory of Mr. Fawcett. At a meeting of the Town Council on Monday, a letter was read from a citizen who suggested that the Mayor should take steps towards opening a fund for its object the erec- tion of a memorial to Mr. Fawcett in the city of his birth. The writer suggested that it might suitably take the form of an asylum for the blind, a home for decayed Post Office officials, or a convalescent retreat for Indian servants. The suggestion was approved, and the council will take some active steps towards carrying it out. Both at this meeting and at a meet- ing of the magistrates, a vote of condolence with the relatives was carried. Sir Arthur Otway was unavoidably prevented from paying a last tribute of respect to his friend, Mr. Fawcett, as he had desired to do at his funeral.

OUT OF WORK.—[Mr. Justice North has twice been without cases to try.]—Judge No. I: I'm first, Mr. Kewsey- B Court, you know." Judge No. 2: "No, no. I've been waiting for a case longer than you have." Judge No. 3: "Carry your bag for you, Brother Kewsey ? (Aside.) May wheedle a case out of him as we walk up the ha11.- Funny Folks.

TRE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW. The Lord Mayor's Show paraded some of the principal streets of the metropolis on Monday on its way from Guildliall to Whitehall-place and back, in the midst of a crowd denser and more numerous than has been known before. The weaker was fine, and the special historical character given to the pageant proved peculiarly attractive. Several incidents in the history of the Corporation of London were represented by groups upon gilded waggons, and by men and women on horseback in the costumes and arrncur of ancient days. Street decorations were abundant, more especially in the Ward of Cordwainer, which is represented by Lord Mayor Nottage in the Court of Aldermen. Near the church of St. Marv, Alderman- bury, an address of congratulation was presented to his lordship on behalf of the ward, which having been acknowledged the cavalcade moved on. The ostensible reason of the Lord Mayor's Show is that the new Chief Magistrate may present his respects to her Majesty's Judges. That ceremony now takes place at the new Law Courts, about the middle of the route, instead of at the end as formerly. In the absence of the Lord Chief Justice, who is on circuit, Mr. Justice Groves received the Lord Mavor, who was presented by the Recorder. The learned Judge alluded to the connection of the new Lord Mayor both with science and art. He expressed his preference for a gradual change of old institutions, and said he should regret to see the abolition, real or virtual, of the Corporation of London. He also complimented Mr. Alderman Fowler on the way in which he bad discharged the duties of the Mayoralty during the past year. The procession then returned to the City by way of the Strand, Charing-cross, Whitehall-place, and the Victoria Embankment. At the banquet in the evening the principal speakers, in the absence of Mr. Gladstone, were the Marquis of Hartington, the Earl of Northbrook, the Lord Chancellor, and Earl Granville. Lord Harting- ton touched upon the anxiety which naturally sur- rounded the difficulties to be encountered by our army in Egypt; at the same time he had no doubt what- ever that Lord Wolseley would achieve the objects which he was sent to accomplish. Lord Northbrook expressed his satisfaction that the feeling of the country was with the Admiralty in recognising the necessity for an increase in the number of our armour-clads, swift cruisers, and lighter vessels. The Lord Chancellor, who replied for the House of Lords, was of opinion, with reference to the demand for the abolition of that assembly, that the country would not be secure with a single House of Legislature. Earl Granville, speaking for her Majesty's Ministers, and in alluding to foreign affairs, denied that this country was on disadvantageous commercial relations as compared with France, Turkey, and Spain. On the contrary a modus vivendi had been established equal in effect to tho action of treaties. As to the mission of Lord Northbrook; it had not yet been con- sidered by the Cabinet as a whole, so that he could not go into the matter in its details; but reforms were being gradually and steadily accomplished in Egypt with greater rapidity than some essential reforms in this country. A statement by the noble earl that the Conservatives would not accept the Franchise Bill without redistribution was received with consider- able cheering, in regard to which Earl Granville retorted that the nation was clearly with the Government, as shown by the recent divisions in the Hous<V °f Com- mons. It appeared to him strange that the Opposi- tion were unable to frame a definite plan, for any such would receive the attention of the Government. They might depend upon it they would never have a more Conservative Franchise Bill offered to them than that which was now before Parliament, nor a less revolu- tionary redistribution scheme than that upon which the Government staked its reputation.

SERIOUS RAILWAY COLLISION AT HERNE HILL. On Monday night a serious railway collision occurred just beyond Herne-hill Station; the junction of the London, Chatham, and Dover and the South- Western Railway systems, and resulted in several passengers being injured. Although only three plat- forms exist, Herne-hill has a remarkably large pas- senger traffic through it, since, in addition to the regular service of the two southern lines men- tioned, the London and North-Western Rail- way run trains to and from Willesden and Victoria. As this station is, however, so far as the London and North-Western is concerned, the terminus, the engines have to shunt the trains on to the branch lines, and then, by means of a loop, turn their engine to enable them to make the return journey. It was in the process of this that the acci- dent occurred. A train leaving Willesden at 7.12, and arriving at Herne Hill at 7.54 had safely made the journey, and was shunted off to the South- Western loop line which runs into Tulse Hill and Wimbledon. The engine was then turned with a view to again running back into Herne-hill, to depart en route for Willesden. At this time, of course, the London and North-Western train was empty, having discharged its passengers at Herne-hill. In attempt- ing, however, to shunt, the engine overrun the cross- over on to the up main line of the Chatham and Dover just as the 7.33 from Bickley, due at Herne-hill at 8.3, was nearing the points. The result was a serious collision. The engine of the Chatham and Dover train and two coaches were thrown violently off the lines, the permanent way was injured for a distance of from 12 to 20 yards, and several of the passengers were considerably shaken, some of them being so bruised and injured that the services of Dr. Barry Clough were at once requisitioned. The passengers who claimed his attention were Mr. H. Mellis, of Penge Mr. Covell, of Beckenham-park; Mr. Gregory, of Upper Norwood and Mr. W. Wollett, of Brixton. All four were, however, able to be dis- patched to their homes. A strong breakdown gang, under Mr. Green, the station-master, succeeded in clearing the down line soon after nine o'clock, and thus to dispatch the Dover and Flushing express, which had been delayed.

THE POOLE LICENSING PROSECU- TIONS. At the Winchester Assizes on Wednesday, Henry Williams, a respectable-looking man, was indicted for having committed perjury at Poole under the follow- ing circumstances: The prisoner was employed by Alderman Norton, a well-known local temperance advocate, as private detective to watch certain publi- cans in the town. For this purpose he took lodgings at an hotel, and as the result of his stay he took out summonses against people of the town for frequenting the house for gambling and drinking at illegal hours, several against the landlord for permitting these prac- tices, and also against the superintendent of police, who, he alleged, had drunk between quarter-past nine and twenty minutes past eleven o'clock in the even- ing twenty glasses of gin and water. The summonses in this instance were dismissed by the justices, and these proceedings directed to be taken. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude by Baron Huddleston, who strongly con- demned the employment of private detectives.

THE SUEZ CANAL. The circumstances under which the forthcoming investigations on the Suez Canal are to be undertaken are as follow: After the provisional arrangement between the English Government and M. de Lesseps was broken off, a meeting was held in London on November 30, 1883, between the committee of the Association of British Shipowners engaged in Eastern trade and M. Charles Aime de Lesseps, representing the Suez Canal Company, when, after a prolonged discussion, twelve resolutions were agreed to. The first of these resolutions declared that the company shall either sufficiently enlarge the present canal or construct a second channel, as may be hereafter deter- mined, and that in order to arrive at a proper decision as to the course which should be pursued in this respect, a commission of engineers and shipowners should be appointed." In pursuance of this resolution, an International Consultative Commission was nomi- nated in May last, consisting of eight men.bers repre- senting England, eight on the part of France, and one for each of the following countries—viz., Austria, Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia, and Spain. This commission met in Paris, and held three or four sittings in the latter part of June, when it was decided that certain of its members should be requested to visit Egypt, in order to make such observations and investigations on the canal itself and on the passage of vessels through it as might be necessary for the information of the Com- mission before arriving at a final decision on the important question of the best means of preventing delays in the transit between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and vice versa, and for providing for the expansion of trade. The two members appointed to represent England-Sir John Coode and Sir Charles Hartley-have left London for Triests, where the delegates will assemble and be met by M. de Lesseps and his son, M. Charles de Lesseps, and whence the party will proceed by one of the Austrian Lloyd's steamers to Port Said at the end of the present week.

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS. Jury," said a Western judge, you kin go out and find a verdict. If you can't find one of your own, get the one the last jury used. The jury returned with y a verdict of Suicide in the ninth degree." Will you come home to dinner ?" asked a Chicago woman of her husband as he was about starting for business. No, I think not," he answered, I expect to be very busy. Besides a new saloon is to be opened just around the corner from my office and I will drop in there and get a free lunel-i." "Well," said his wife, while a wave of fear swept across her face, be careful not to get hurt in the rush." A jury in North Carolina, after being charged in the usual way by the judge, retired to their room, when a white juror ventured to ask a coloured asso- ciate if he understood the charge of the judge. Golly exclaimed the astonished juror, he don't charge us nuffin for dat, does he ? Why, I thought we was gwine to git pay!" Mrs. Crimsonbeak takes every precaution to pre- vent her friends from discovering her age. She even forbids her children telling her own ages-although she refuses to tell them why she does so—the reason being for fear some one might rightly calculate the mother's years. The other day a lady called, and while little Jennie, aged four years, was entertaining her in the parlour, her mother not having made her appearance yet, the stranger asked How old are you, my little girl ?" Oh, mamma won't let me tell how old I am," said Jennie, boldly; "but mamma is forty-two, and perhaps you can guess how old I am."

fpiswlkirmrs |nic[[tgerae. HOME, FOEJSIGN, AND COLONIAL. LATE FKUIT.—During the past week red currants and raspberries have been gathered in open gardens in the neighbourhood of Coventry, and wild roses have been seen in full blow on the hedgerows. The weather for r some time past has been phenominally mild and spring- like. BIRTHDAY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.—The anniver- sary of the birth of the Prince of Wales, who completed his forty-third year on Sunday, was celebrated on Saturday with the usual display of illuminations. The Prince's tradesmen dined together at Willis's Rooms, Mr. W. H. Smith, M.P., in the chair. NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS AT SWANSEA.—The Mayor of Swansea laid the foundation stone of the new public library buildings in Alexandra-road, Swansea, on Satur- day afternoon. The building, which is to cost £10,000, forms part of the new improvement scheme promoted by the corporation. THE PORTADOWN RIOTS.-Of the 82 persons charged with riot at the recent political meetings at which Mr. Dickson was wounded, two were sentenced at Porta- down on Saturday morning to six months' and ten to two months' imprisonment under the Crimes Act. The remainder were discharged. Notice of appeal was given. GROSS BRUTALITY TO A SON.—Cornelius Hurtill, a labourer, was charged at the West Ham Police-court on Saturday with having violently assaulted his son, eleven years of age. In a cold stone-floored wash- house, the boy, being without boots, stockings, hat, or jacket, had his hands tied by his father behind his back, and his logs were fastened together. There he was left from seven in the morning until past six the next morning, tied in such a manner that his wrists were marked, and his hands so swollen that his knuekles could not be seen. The boy's parent was sent to prison for two months, with hard labour. DEATH OF MRS. F. ARCHER.—Mrs. F. Archer, wife of the well-known jockey, died early on Saturday morn- ing. It was only on Thursday that Mr. Archer received the congratulations of his friends at Liverpool on his receiving the news of his wife's accouchement. She was a daughter of Mr. John Dawson, and was a general favourite in Newmarket, as was proved when her wedding with Mr. Archer took place two years ago. The infant daughter and only child of Mr. Archer is doing well. NEW PARK AT BRIGHTON.—A new park was opened at Brighton on Saturday, and the ceremony was wit- nessed by a great gathering of spectators. The chief incident was a procession headed by the Mayor, who formally declared the park open. It has an area of more than sixty acres. CHURCH WORK IN LIVERPOOL.—The Bishop of Liver- pool on Saturday consecrated the Church of All Saints, Princes'-park, and publicly instituted Mr. Baynes, the vicar. Last week an oratorio was successfully given in Liverpool Cathedral, where, with cramped means, Mr. Burstall, the organist, is doing a great work. A series of lectures are being given in the cathedral to members of the Liverpool Diocesan Lay Helpers' Association, which has been established mainly through the exertions of Mr. W. Forshaw Wilson. RAILWAY FATALITIES.-Two railway fatalities hap- pened on Saturday. In one case, while a labourer was working in the Lime-street tunnel at Liverpool, he was knocked down by some trucks which were being shunted, and both legs were severed from his body. The poor fellow died on the spot. The other accident occurred at Bootle. A railway employe was shunting some waggcns, when a gust of wind carried him under a passing train, which almost severed his head from his body. Death was instantaneous. THE HEALTH EXHIBITION.—The Prince of Wales, as President of the International Health Exhibition, has communicated to the jurors his appreciation of the manner in which they have discharged their arduous duties, His Royal Highness says; "I have learnt with satisfaction that the various gentlemen who so readily accepted the office of jurors on the intimation of my wish- that they should do so, have devoted much valuable time to the work, and have been unremitting in their attendance at the numerous meetings1 which were rendered necesary by the extent of the exhibition and the consequent number of the articles submitted to the judgment of the juries. I desire, therefore, to assure you that I fully recognise the public spirit which has induced gentlemen all busily engaged in other dnties to undertake the honorary office of juror, and to express to you my thanks for the assistance which you and your colleagues have rendered to this important ex- hibition," T#VIWMIN L',AI ■BBKGIUIRM.MMmmii THE AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS ACT.—The Duke of St. Albans presided on Saturday over a meeting of agriculturists in Nottingham, convened by the Notting- ham Chamber of Commerce, to consider a schedule of allowances drawn up by valuers as suitable for the county under the Agricultural Holdings Act. Mr. Brett having moved its adoption, Mr. Beaumont pro- posed an amendment declaring the scale of compen- sation to go far beyond the custom of Notts hitherto accepted as liberal and fair, and that such claims be dealt with individually according to the merits of each case. Lord Belper objected to the schedule, and even- tually it was referred to a committee to report on the principles of a fair and reasonable agreement. AN "ENGAGEMENT" FOR THE CLAIMANT. — The Claimant, whose recent addresses in Leeds attracted very small audiences, has accepted a four nights' en- gagement with the management of a Leeds music-hall, at which he will appear during the first part of next week. His remuneration, it is said, will be JE40 for the four nights. FOOTBALL ACCIDENT.—During a football match or Saturday in the Eton College Playing Fields, against a scratch team from Oxford University, W. J. Corbett,, K.S.A., sixth form at Eton College, had his right leg. broken by a cross kick. He was conveyed to his room,, and attended by Dr. Gooch. A PARK FOR HULL.—At Hull on Saturday the mayor (Dr. Rollit), in the presence of a large number of spec- tators, turned the first sod of a new park which is to be provided for the west portion of Hull. The ground, which is about 70 acres in extent was bought by the Corporation some years ago, with the view of utilising a portion of it for a large cattle market. That'idea has now been abandoned, and more than hal f of the land will forthwith be made into a park, a portion being re- tained for a cricket and football ground. STARVED TO DEATH.-On Saturday, at the Notts and Lincoln Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Coleridge,, Charles Briggs, chemist, 39, and Elizabeth Briggs, 67,. were indicted for the wilful murder of Thirza Briggs, at Clee, near Grimsby. The deceased woman was the wife of the male prisoner and daughter-in-law of the female, who, although in comfortable circumstances, were alleged to have deliberately starved her. Mr. Horace Smith said that the male prisoner had a post- nuptial settlement, by which if his wife and her little girl died he would possess her whole property. The jury convicted the male prisoner of manslaughter and acquitted the female. Briggs was sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude. SAD FATALITY IN SCOTLAND.—On Saturday afternoon a gentleman was knocked down by a train about half a mile from Arbroath Station. Death was almost instan- taneous. On Sunday evening the body was identified as that of Mr. James M tchell, chief reporter of the Aberdeen Free Press." The deceased had been to Arbroath on Saturday afternoon, and it is supposed that, being late for the return train, he was walking along the line as a short cut to the station, when the accident occurred. Mr. Mitchell, who was a well-known and able journalist, and highly respected, leaves a widow and two children. FOREIGN LIVE STOCK AND FRESH MEAT.—The num- ber of live stock and the quantity of fresh meat landed at Liverpool during the past week from American and Canadian ports amounted to 897 cattle, 1276 sheep-, 5976 quarters of beef, and 300 carcases of mutton, which, when compared with the imports of the pre- ceding week, show a slight increase in the arrivals of both live stock and fresh meat. The conveying steamers were as follows: Milanese, 368 cattle and 408 sheep; Montreal, 313 cattle and 868 sheep Iowa, 136 cattle and 928 quarters of beef; Oranmore, 80 cattle; Egypt, 1684 quarters of beef and 150 carcases of mutton; Alaska, 1660 quarters of beef and 150 carcases of mutton; and Catalonia, 1704 quarters of beef. THE KILLING OF DEER.—'Under the Ground Game Act of 1880 every occupier of land has a right, of which he cannot divest himself, of killing hares and rabbits on his land. It is now proposed, in a bill that has been introduced by Mr. Munro-Ferguson, M.P. for Ross and Cromarty, to extend the meaning of ground game in this Act so as to include deer. The occupier, however is not to be entitled to kill deer on moorlands or unen closed lands, not being arable. Moreover, the provision that firearms are not to be used for the purpose of kill ing ground game between the expiration of the firs" hour after sunset and the commencement of the last hour before sunrise is not to apply to deer. CLOSING OF A NOTED DISCUSSION HALL.—The discus- sion Forum" in Fleet-street, London, which attained considerable notoriety about thirty years since on account of complaints gravely preferred by the Emperor Napoleon of speeches delivered there which were offensive to his Government, has at last ceased to exist, the Green Dragon Tavern, to which it formed an annexe, being about to be demolished to make way for a new hotel. The Forum was at one time a favourite resort of youthful stud^fats of the Bar and others desirous of obtaining practice in public speaking. EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT.—A singular accident occurred in Perthshire a short time since. A ten-ton tank-waggon ot creosote oil, belonging to Messrs. Lam- merse, Parr, and Co., proprietors of the registered lubricant, the "Express Railway Oil," Newcastle-on- Tyne, was despatched to the north, and while passing along the Caledonian line at Blackford it was dis- covered that a brass plug three inches in diameter in the bottom of the tank, and used for emptying it, had got loose and fallen out. The leakage was so great that the ground between the rails for thirty yards was covered with oil fully three inches in depth. The stationmaster at Blackford and the porters endeavoured to I lug the hole with waste, but before the leakage was stopped the tank was nearly empty. By this time the stream of oil was rushing over the north embankment of the railway into an adjacent field, where there is a drain leading to the River Allan, a distance of 150 yards. The oil getting into the conduit poured into the river with fatal consequences tb every living thing as far down as Dunblane. Thousands of fish lay dead in the bed of the river, one observer counting no fewer than 300 in one pool. Even the eels were all killed, and a number of water rats were poisoned. The fish are mostly river trout and parr. The destruction is so great that it will take years before the river is in the condition it was before the accident. The grass and weeds growing in the water are satu- rated with the poisonous stuff, and the river will not be clean until there is a flood. The Allan is a favourite stream with anglers, as there they can enjoy their sport free and unrestricted, and general vexation is felt that an accident of so unforeseen a character should thus completely for the time close the favourite ground.

thiT markets. MARK-LANE. Quietness has prevailed at Mark-lane Dealings were only from hand to mouth, and the tendency was in favour of buyers. Fair supplies of produce were on off' r. The inquiry for English wbeat was limited, and prices were about 6d easier. Transactions in foreign wheat were restricted, with prices tending in buyers' favour. As regards flour, the inquiry was restricted, and prices were weak, country sorts being- about 6d lower on the week. A small business was passing in ba,rley. Malt ng produce was fairly steady. Grinding was dull and drooping. The maize trade was quiet, without change..Oats were dull, and 3d lower on the weeir. Hean- were crnll. Italian, 26s to 27s; Egyptian, 26s to 29s per 4801b. Very little passing in peas. White Canadian, 30s to 31s par 5041b. Egyptian lentils, 25s to 26s per 5041b. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. The total imports of foreign stock into London last week amounted to 12,541 head. Ia the corresponding period last year we received 15,081>; in 1832, 14,442 in 18-11,11,595; in 1880, 10,560; in 1879, 22,717; in 1878, 13,080 and in 1877, 14,644 head. At Southampton were received 39 beasts from Jersey and Guernsey, and 50 beasts from t'porto and at Liverpool, 136 beasts from Boston, and 677 beasts- and 1474 sheep from Montreal The catt'e trade is quiet,, with no particular feature. The tone is not strong, and supplies offering are equal to the demand. A moderate number of English beasts came to hand. Throughout a good inquiry prevailed, prices remaining about the same as last week. The best Scots and crosses realised 5s Sd to. 5s lOd per 81b. Foreign beasts, of which a small number was offered, changed hands quietly at late prices. The sheep pens were moderately well filled. The market was dull, and prices were unaltered. The best Downs and half-breds realised 6s 4d to 6s 6d per 81b. Calves and pigs sold at late prices. Coarse and inferior beasts, 4s to 4s 6d second quality ditto, 4s 6d to 5s; prime large oxen, 5s 6d to 5s 8d ditto Scots, &c., 5s 8d to 5s lOd coarse and in- ferior sheep, 5s to 5s 6d; second quality ditto, 5s 6d to 6s; prime coarse woolled ditto. 6s 2d to 63 4d; prime Southdown ditto, 6s 4d to fis 6d; 1 »r^e coarse cnlves, 5s 6d to 5s 8d; prime small ditto, 5s 8d to 63 large hogs, 3s 6d to 4s; neat small porkers, 4s to 4s 6d per 81b. to sink the offal. Total supply Beasts, 2550 sheep and lamb-7. 7581 calves, 60 pigs, 30. Foreign Beasts. 90; sheep and lambs, 1640; calves, 10. From the midland and home counties we received 1900 beasts, from Ireland 500, and from Scotland 60. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET. There was a moderate supply on offer. A dull demand prevailed, at the annexed rates Inferior beef, 3s to 33 4d middling ditto, 3s 8d to 4s prime large ditto, 4s 6d to 4s lOd; prime small ditto, 4s Sd to 5s; veal, 4s 8d to 58;: inferior mutton, 3s 4d to 3s 6d; middling ditto, 3s 8d to, 4s 2d prime ditto, 4s 8d to 6s 2d large pork, 3s 4d to 3s 6d; small ditto, 4s to 4s 4d per 81b. by the carcase. GAME AND POULTRY. Pheasants, 2s 3d to 4s 9d partridges, Is 4d to 2s 6d j, hares, 4s to 5s 3d; white Scotch ditto, 2s 2d to 3s rabbits, Is 2d to 2a grouse, 2s 3d to 4s plovers, 9d to is; caper- cailzie, 4s 6d to 8s 6i; black cock, 2s to 3s; woodcocks, 2s 9.1 to 3s 9d geese, 4s 6d to 8s 6d; ducks, 2s to 2s 9d and fowls, Is 6d to 3s 3d each. FISH. Cod, £5 lSs 6d to R7 5s ner score, crimped ditto, 8s f.d to 17s 6d each codlings, 12s to 30s per dozen; trawl had- dock. 2s to 4s 6d per score; lar-e Dublin Bay haddock, 83 to 12s each mullets, 12s to 30s per dozen; mackerel, 2s 6d to 4s per score; black soles, Is 6d to 4s per pair; ditto slips,, 6d to 8d per lb. lobsters, 12s to 40s per dozen; whiting, 8s to 12s per box; and smelts, Is 6d to 3s per basket. POTATOES. Good supply of potatoes was on sale. The demand' was quiet, as follows Kent regents 70s to 80s: ditto kid- neys, 60s to 703; Essex Shaws, 50s to 60s Victorias, 70s to 80s Magnum Bonums, 60s to 70s per ton.

DISPUTE WITH A REVISING BARRISTER. A singular dispute has arisen between the Poole Town Council and Mr. Samuel Carter, barrister, who recently revised the Parliamentary and borough lists for the town and county of Poole. The revision of the lists occupied two days, and a claim of X14 was made on the council in respect of the revision of the municipal lists, which the town clerk says could have been done in three or four hours. The' council wrote to Mr. Carter, pointing out the injustice of the claim, inasmuch as he was paid fully by the State for his services in revising the Parliamentary lists, and could not expect to be paid for two whole days in revising the municipal lists. In reply, Mr. Caiter has just written to the council, stating that he is quite authorised by Act of Parliament to make the charges. He adds: For two or three years, when there was a partial suspension of local party bicker- ings and contention, I, at your request, accepted me- chanical aid in inserting names, the effect of which was to conclude the business in one over-long day, and at the same time deprive me of another day's fees but when, in 1882, you turned my very self- denial into a charge, and (as it seemed to me), to the prejudice of one party, refused to do anything your- self, or admit anything that was not wholly under my own hand, I resolved in future to act upon the ungrateful lesson, and take such time as was neces- sary to perfect my. own work I will afford no chance for anyone to be prejudiced by omission of mine, even with their own consent. Such work cannot fairly be done within one day, but I just hint to you and the council that party opposition and bitterness, if fully indulged, is quite equal to make it extend beyond two. If your borough is desirous of immor- talising itself by squabbles, as might appear from some pages of its recent history, it must of course expect to pay the piper. I have met with no such unpleasantness elsewhere, and at Dorchester the same fee is always paid at the time." In reply to questions asked, the town clerk, at a meeting of the Poole Council, said Mr. Carter had charged X14 for two days' services and expenses in revising the municipal lists, which in reality only occupied him three or four hours, the remainder of his time being spent in revising the Parliamentary borough and county lists, for which he was paid by the State. The work for which he had charged the council X14 consisted in revising the names of 271 persons. Mr. Dugdale said if Mr. Carter was in Poole for only two days, and was paid for that time by the State, he did not see how he could charge the council two days as well. After a discussion, it was agreed that the town clerk should write to Mr. Carter, offering him £7 7s. in discharge of his claim, and stating that if that was not accepted the matter would be referred to the Treasury.

Prisoner Well, my lord, I was dining with your lordship at the Mansion House last night, and— and- Lord Mayor: Dismissed! — Funnry Folks.