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IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. j
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. j THE GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS. In the HOUSE OF LORDS, NOV. 10, Lord Napier and tlttrick presented a petition from European, Hindoo, and Mussulman subjects of her Majesty in the Presi- dency of Madras against the annual transfer of the Government of that Presidency to the hills duri-ig a long period of the year. He observed that formerly the Government of Madras was carried on ai, the hills for only three months in the year, but the period had been extended to six, seven, and, as he learned from one source, to nearly eight months. This temporary transfer of the seat of Government for so long a period of the year was a cause of considerable expenditure, and was very repugnant to the feelings of the native officials Lord Kimberley replied that Lord Lawrence was the author of the system of migration to the hills. Expe- rience had now shown that the system was a good one in the case of the Presidency Governments, as well as in that of the Supreme Government. It was true that the duration of the sojourn of the Madras Government at Ootacamnnd had been extended, but the whole time of absence from Madras was not spent in the hills. A portion of it was devoted to an inspection of the popu- lations. There was no reason to apprehend that the practice of migration would be abused. The Duke of Buckingham, the Duke of Argyll, and Lord Salisbury concurred with the observations of Lord Kimberley. The petition was withdrawn in consequence of an informality in the way in which it was drawn. Their Lordships rose at a quarter past six o'clock.
THE NILE EXPEDITION.
THE NILE EXPEDITION. USE In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Nov. 10, Mr. Gladstone, answering a question from Sir S. Northcote, said that the vote for the Nile Expedition would be taken imme- diately after the Franchise Bill.
THE FRANCHISE BILL.
THE FRANCHISE BILL. On the motion to go into Committee on the Franchise Bill, Mr. J. Lowther took the opportunity of explaining that if the Opposition had refrained from placing amendments on the paper it was not because they were more inclined to accept the bill, and he protested em- phatically against the suggestion embodied in certain current rumours that the question could be settled oy hack-stairs intrigue, or in any way behind the back of Parliament. He repudiated the construction which had been placed by Sir C. Dilke on Sir R. Cross's refer- ence to resolutions, and declared that what the Con- servative party required was' not resolutions, nor a mere bill, but an Act of Parliament which w ould secure that enfranchisement and redistribution should be dealt with together. Mr. C. Lewis and Mr. Macartney having entered a protest against the application of the Bill to Ireland in its present circumstances, Mr. Gladstone thought that the course taken by the Opposition reasonable and wise, and remarked that Sir R. Cross had not himself repudiated the construction put on his words. Sir S. Northcote was of opinion that nothing could be gained by discussing Sir R. Cross's obiter dictum m his absence, and repeated that the Opposition in Accepting the Franchise Bill meant to insist as far as they could on its being accompanied by a Redistribu- tion Bill. Sir W. Barttelot endorsed this, and assuied the Government that if they brought in a fair and reason- able redistribution scheme it would be fairly con- sidered. The House then went into committee, and on Clause 2. Colonel Stanley moved his amendment, providing that the Franchise Bill shall not come into operation until a Redistribution Bill and a Boundaries Bill have been pas.-ed. Mr. Gladstone characterised this present demand for Mtnultaneous enactmen i after the lessons of the reces3, as more out of place than that of last session. Arguing against it, he asked what reason the Government had to expect that a Redistribution Bill would pass if the Government parted with the hold they now had by means of the Franchise Bill, and what would happen to the Franchise Bill, if it Were hung up by the amendment, in the event of a chaage of Government happening and the conduct of tfce Reform question passing into the hands of the Opposition? What sort of information, he asked, did the Opposition want ? At present, as he showed by contrasting the speeches of Lord R. Churchill and Sir S. Northcote, the Opposition was in flagrant contradic- tion with itself on the question, and it was totally im- possible at this moment to introduce a Redistribution Bill which would not be made the subject of a sharp Party conflict, and which, therefore, in the present state of Parliamentary practice, was not certain to be defeated. Sir S. Northcote, in reply to this, said the Prime Minister evidently wanted the Opposition to draw up a bill for him. But this was not their business, and he urged the Prime Minister to take a more practical vie w of the situation, at the same time assuring the Minis- terialists that the Opposition were not meditating in- sidious designs against the Redistribution Bill, but Would give it a candid consideration. Sir William Harcourt asserted, amid loud cheers from the Ministerialists, that this demand amounted to nothing less than that the Franchise Bill should be hung up until a Redistribution Bill satisfactory to the majority of the House of Lords had been passed. Mr. A. Balfour, Mr. A. Grey, and Mr. Chaplin spoke, and, on a division, the amendment was negatived by 194 to 109. Clause 2 was then agreed to, as were the remaining clauses after some slight discussion on minor amend- ments of detail moved by Scotch and Irish members, and shortly after eight o'clock the bill passed through Committee, and was reported without amendment to the House.
POOR-LAW GUARDIANS BILL.
POOR-LAW GUARDIANS BILL. The Poor-Law Guardians Bill wag read a second time, and the House adjourned at twenty-five minutes to nine o'clock.
-----------NEW PEERS.
NEW PEERS. In the HOUSE OF LORDS, Nov. 11, Mr. Dodson, ex- CbanclIIUor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Sir W. James took the oath, and subscribed the roll of the House of Lords, on their elevation to the peerage as Baron Monk Bretton and Baron Northbourne; and the Earl of Arran and Viscount de Vesci went through the same ceremonies on being granted each the dignity of a barony of the United Kingdom.
LEGAL BILLS.
LEGAL BILLS. Lord Bramwell's Justices' Jurisdiction Bill, and Law of Evidence Amendment Bill were read a second time, after a short conversation.
THE WELLINGTON STATUE.
THE WELLINGTON STATUE. In reply to Viscount Enfield, Lord Sudeley said the Prince of Wales was about to proceed to Aldershot, where, in conjunction with the military authorities, he would select a suitable site for the Wellington statue. Their lordships rose before five o'clock.
NEW WRIT.
NEW WRIT. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS a new writ for Hackney Was issued.
KHARTOUM.
KHARTOUM. Replying to Sir H. Tyler, the Marquis of Hartington said no information had been received, either at the Foreign Office or at the War Office, as to the further rumours of the fall of Khartoum, As to an'inquiry whether any, and if so, what preparations had been made and what plans and route had been decided ppon for withdrawing the garrisons and refugees from the Soudan on the arrival of the British expedition at Khartoum, his lordship said it was quite impossible to form at present any definite and final decisions, still less to announce them.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY VOTES.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY VOTES. Mr. Gladstone, answering a question from Sir S. Northcote, said that the supplementary estimates w°uld be moved on Thursday, and in the course of next Week he hoped to beabl3 to intimate the views which the Goverment took of Lord Northbrook's report, which however, he added, was not yet put into formal shape. In answer to further questions, he said there would be a supplementary estimate for South Africa and a state- ment in regard to the navy, but it was not intended to take any other business except, perhaps, a bill in re- ference to Colonial Federation.
THE FRANCHISE BILL.
THE FRANCHISE BILL. On the motion for the third reading of the Fran- chise Bill, Mr. Goschen contrasted the tone of Monday's debate with the conciliatory speeches of Friday, and eeling sure his regret that the hopes of a satisfactory settlement were diminished would be largely shared out of doors, he made an earnest appeal to the Oppo- sition to do what lay in their power to facilitate an early settlement of the whole question. Lord J. Manners declared, amid cheers from the Con- servative benches, that every debate of that House every meeting he had attended, and the general result of the descent of the Prime Minister and his colleagues into the streets during the autumn, had confirmed the wisdom, the prudence and the patriotism of the course which the Constitutionel party in both Houses had adopted and maintained. Mr. Gladstone declined to discuss the matter in the combative spirit of the noble lord, which, he thought, Was calculated to widen the breach and make accommo- dation impossible. As far as he and his colleagues Were concerned they were determined to have no share In the responsibility for what might occur. That there had been a change in the tone and temper of the debate was obvious, but it began, he maintained, with the speech of Mr. Lowther, which was followed up by Sir S. Northcote's reduction of Sir R. Cross's significant suggestion of resolutions' to the level of a mere obiter dictum. He himself had adhered to all the conciliatory declarations which he had made. and, notwithstanding Lord J. Manner's declaration that no communication were possible, he did not recede frum his desire for an agreement. Though he denied that he had asked the Opposition to bring in a bill, he still continued to think that the settlement of the question would be promoted by the other side giving some intimation of their views. But, if it was not to be peace, the Government, he said, would take care to place it on record that they had done all in their power to obtain it. Sir R. Cross, referring to his speech of Friday, said his contention had always been that there must be a guarantee against the possibility of a general election on the Franchise Bill without redistribution. If the Government would bring in their Redistribution Bill, the Opposition would give it the most candid considera- tion with a desire to pass it into law. But he believed that the Government were not yet in such a condition of agreement as to place their bill on the table. After some explanatory remarks from Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. Ritchie regretted the change of tone which had taken place since last week, and had read with dismay the speech of Mr. Lowther. It was impossible either for the Government or for the House of Lords to sur- render all that they had demanded, but he strenuously advocated conciliation, and declared that it would be a scandal upon any party who prevented a settlement being arrived at. Following Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Illingworth, and Mr. Mactarlane. Mr. Stuart-Wortley spoke in support of the con- ciliatory views expressed by Mr. Ritchie, but he failed to see why the Conservative party should surrender all their contentions while the Government declined to give up anything. He justified the course pursued by the House of Lords, but, as one last word of entreaty, he asked the Government to produce their Redistribution Bill. Mr. Parnell moved that the bill be re-committed in order that a clause might be inserted to make provision for a reduction in the amount of security required by returning officers. The Attorney-General, while approving the principle, deprecated dealing with it in a Franchise Bill, and Mr. Parnell ultimately withdrew his motion. Eventually the question that the bill be read a third time was put from the chair. Several Conservatives cried No," but a division was not pressed for, and the bill was read a third time amid loud and prolonged Ministerial cheering.
,POOR LAW GUARDIANS BILL.
POOR LAW GUARDIANS BILL. The Poor Law Guardians Bill passed through Com- mittee, and the House rose at ten o'clock until Thursday.
ELECTION OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT.
ELECTION OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT. Mr. Cleveland's election to the United States Presi- dency is generally admitted, though some of Mr. Blaine's supporters say they have evidence of fraud which will diminish the vote. Few persons, however, credit this. The only chance of Mr. Blaine's election is in the discovery of sufficient clerical errors to destroy Mr. Cleveland's majority, which is placed at 1240. Mr. Vanderbilt has sent Mr. Cleveland the following: "I congratulate you and the people of the whole country upon your election to the Presidency of the United States. You owe your election in my judgment to the fact that the people believed you to be an honest man, and not to any particular effort made by any faction of either the Democratic or Republican parties. The independent men, who care more for good government than for parties or individuals, have made you their choice, because they were convinced your administration would not be for the benefit of any political organisation or favoured persons, but for the interests of the whole people. This is just the result which is most desired. We have reached a time when party amounts to little. The country is above all, and it wants honest government by honest men. The belief that we will find it in you has led to your election." These mani- festations have convinced the Blaine managers that further opposition is useless, if not dangerous."
NOMINATION OF SHERIFFS.
NOMINATION OF SHERIFFS. Wednesday being "the morrow of St. Martin," the ancient ceremony of nominating the high sheriffs for the various counties of England and Wales—Corn- wall and Lancaster being, as Royal Duchies, excepted -and which, prior to the absorption of the Court of Exchequer into the division of the Queen's Bench, used to be observed in that court at Westminster, took place in the court of the Lord Chief Justice of England in the Royal Courts of Justice. There were present on the bench the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, in his robes of office, by virtue of which he is the president on these occasions; the Lord Chan- cellor, the Lord President of the Council (Lord Carlingford), the Secretary of State for the Colonies (tne Earl of Derby), and Justices Grove, Denman field, Hawkins, and Mathew. The Queen's Remembrancer (Sir Frederick Pol- lock, Bart.) then read out the names of the gentle- men returned as qualified to serve the office during the present year, and to which the judges who had gone circuit added the names requisite to make up the required number of three, from which her Majesty will prick in Council, the name first appearing on the list being usually that of the gentleman who will fill the office. 11 In the course of the proceedings, which are alto- gether of a formal nature, a variety of excuses were read from gentlemen whose names were returned, but who were unwilling to serve the office this year. Amongst them was that of a gentleman who claimed privilege on the ground that he is a practising barrister on the Oxford circuit, and which was allowed. Others again asked to be excused on the grounds of advanced age or inability of means, in some instances arising from agricultural depression; considerable amusement being created when another gentleman wrote that as my wife is in possession of the property on which my qualification was based, it is she who should be called upon to fill the office of High Sheriff." The proceedings terminated when the list of counties had been got through.
HORRIBLE MASSACRE IN BURMAH.
HORRIBLE MASSACRE IN BURMAH. A correspondent, writing from Mandalay, says: The following suffices to give a precise idea of the condition of Burmah and the horrible massacres of which I was a few days ago the spectator. In the afternoon of last Sunday the guards placed in charge of the principal prisons of Mandalay, which are con- structed of bamboo, set fire to one of the sides of the edifice, and having assured themselves that the flames were already beginning to invade the parts which served as shelter to the wretched prisoners, opened the gates, in front of which there had been drawn up a good number of soldiers armed with puns and swords. Then they threw themselves like wild beasts upon those who, to escape being burnt alive, rushed out of the gates. The massacre lasted all the night, in the presence of the highest functionaries of the town, who with cries and gesticulations excited the assassins against their passive victims. The number of killed exceeded 200, and amongst them were some relations of Prince Yung Tan, who is at present living a1. Calcutta. The day after the massacre the bodies, mutilated in a manner too horrible to describe, were lying heaped about on carts and in the streets of the town. For some months past the prisons here and elsewhere had been crowded with brigands and political prisoners. A revolt was feared, especially after the news had got abroad of the flight of the Prince Mingwin, who had taken refuge on the French territory at Pondi- cherry; and the governor could find no better expe- dient to avoid it than to give proof of his determined ferocity by ordering the massacre of all prisoners without distinction of sex, age, or the cause of impri- sonment. During these last few days there bad been a rumour spread abroad that a proposal had been made to the Burmese Prime Minister to recruit in Italy a body of 500 men to ensure the safety of the Palace, but if this news turns out to be true I trust that no Italian will be deceived by mendacious promises nor consent to use his arm in defence of barbarism and tyranny.
CHILD MURDER IN SUFFOLK.
CHILD MURDER IN SUFFOLK. On Wednesday, at the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Manisty, Edna Carter, a domestic servant, was charged with the wilful murder of her illegitimate son. On July 8 the child, which was nearly two years old, was out at nurse at Wretham, and was healthy and thriving, when on the date named it was taken away by the prisoner from its nurse. It was never 11 again seen alive, but ten days afterwards its corpse was found in a pond at Frostenden Spring. When the prisoner took away the child she was engaged to be married. The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but recommended her to mercy. Mr. Justice Manisty then passed sentence of death, promising at the same time to forward the recommendation to the proper quarter. j
TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.
TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION. FIFTEEN LIVES LOST. A fatal explosion, involving the loss of fifteen lives took place at ten minutes past nine o'clock on Satur- day evening, at Hochin Colliery, in the Sirhowy Valley, about three miles from Tredegar, and which belongs to the Tredegar Coal and Iron Company. The shock was felt at a signal box at Bedwellty pits, about a mile away, and as soon as the situation was realised the officials of the London and North Western Rail- way placed an engine and van at the disposal of the colliery officials, in which Mr. Colquhoun (general manager), Mr. Stratton (mineral agent), Mr. W. Hamilton (engineer), and others proceeded to the pit's mouth, hundreds of persons at the same time hurrying from the neighbouring cottages. It was known at the time that there were fifteen men in the pit engaged in repairing the pit roads, in addition to an engine- man half-way down the pit. The cries of the latter were heard, and he was after some time rescued by an exploring party which was organised under the direction of Messrs. Stratton and Reynolds. The force of the explosion had blown the engine house and ventilating fan at the pit's mouth to atems, some heavy pieces of timber being found a hundred yards away. The cage was closely jammed against the top, and the zinc roofing was scattered in every direction. The exploring party were only able to penetrate a little way into the workings, owing to the absence of ventilation by the destruction of the fan, and they found only four bodies on the occasion of their first descent. Three of these were identified as Gwyllm Owen, Evan Griffiths, and John Davies, but the fourth body was mutilated beyond recognition. The names of the other eleven men found dead in the pit are John Morris, Thomas Morgan, John Williams, Wm. Evans, John Hamer, Thomas Lewis, John Bruce, William Scott, John Bevan, William Havard, and John Jones. A painful fatality occurred about two hours after the explosion. Ropes had been placed round the pit's mouth to keep back the crowds of friends and relatives of the unfortunate miners, but one of these, a man named Pugh, stated to have been under the influence of drink, proffered assistance, but was prevented from approaching the pit's mouth by the officials. He, however, rushed forward again, evading them, and, approaching too close, fell down the pit. He was subsequently found at the bottom, a mangled corpse. The result of the sad catastrophe has spread entire gloom over the neighbourhood. Great confidence was placed in the safety of the colliery, as being onb of the best-ventilated pits in South Wales. Had the explosion occurred in the daytime or on any other night except Saturday night the consequences must have been much more dis- astrous, as between 300 and 400 men are employed. The ventilating fan was restored at midday on Sunday, and the exploring party again descended. The workings are not very much damaged, and it is expected work will be resumed early next week. Forty-three horses which were in the pit at the time of the explosion were killed, and a large body of men were on Sunday employed in digging a hole near the pit in which to bury them.
SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW.
SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW. The entries for the forthcoming Smithfield Club Cattle Show at the Agricultural Hall are now com- pleted, and whether as regards the character of the stock or the number of animals, it is considered as superior to any of its predecessors. The Earl of Jersey is this year's president of the club, Sir W. G. Gordon Cumming, Bart., president-elect, and Sir B. T. Brandreth Gibbs still continues his service as honorary secretary. The show is this year divided into 84 classes—viz., 35 for cattle, the same number for sheep, and 14 for pigs. There is again a con- siderable augmentation of the prize list, the money awards alone for cattle being;61445, sheep £ 755, and pigs £232, together £2432. Besides this there is the champion plate of 100 guineas, and gold medal to breeder for the best beast in the show, two X50 silver cups for best steer or ox and best heifer or cow in the classes, besides seven X30 silver cups for the best in each class. For the sheep there is the champion plate of X50 and gold medal, with twelve X20 silver cups for best pen in its class, and for pigs a champion cup of £20, with six silver cups of £10 each for best in classes. These, with the silver medals to breeders, brings the aggregate value of the prize list to £3500. In conjunction with, and acting under the authority of the Medical Department of the Privy Council, the most rigid regulations will be adopted to check and prevent any other than healthy stock entering the show-yard. Every exhibitor is to be compelled to send with each animal a certificate that it has not been for 14 days previous to its leaving home for the Smithfield Club Show, in contact with any animal suffering from con- tagious or infectious disease. No animal will be ad- mitted without such certificate and veterinary exami- nation on the part of Professor Brown, who represents the Privy Council as veterinary inspector, whilst Pro- lm fessor Simonds, chief of the Royal Veterinary College, as hon. consulting veterinary-surgeon, represents the club. The show is fixed to open on Monday, Dec. 8, on which day the judging and award of prizes will take place, and continue open daily until Friday, the 12th, when it finally closes.
TERRIBLE TALE OF THE SEA.
TERRIBLE TALE OF THE SEA. A terrible tale of the sea has just reached Grimsby by the smack General Wolseley, of that port, which has brought the only two survivors out of a crew of fifteen of the Dutch herring lugger Maartje, of Vlaardingen. On October 28, when 100 miles from Spurn, and during a tremendous gal*, the lugger was struck by a sea which completely overturned her, imprisoning eleven men in the cabin, where seven of them were quickly drowned. The other four men after about ten minutes, when the vessel partially righted, got out of their prison, when they found that the captain and three men, who had been on deck, were gone. The mast was broken, and the vessel entirely under water, excepting the stem- head, to which the four men clung all night. In the morning one was washed away. All that day passed without any vessel being seen. In the evening one became delirious, and commenced to laugh and sing songs. One more dreary night passed without help; but next day, when all were at the point of exhaustion, the General Wolseley came to their succour. Although a very high sea still ran, four of Captain Baxter's hands volunteered to man a boat, and after great perils succeeded in getting two of the Dutchmen aboard, but the third, the poor fellow who had been delirious from the previous evening, wanted to go and tell his seven drowned mates below. He was prevented, but refused to get into the boat. The mate of the Grimsby smack went upon the wreck and tied around the man's waist a rope with which it was tried to draw him into the boat, but as he still clung tenaciously to the wreck, the rope was let go for the purpose of trying other means. No sooner, however, did the poor maniac find himself released than he laughed wildlv, and letting go his hold sank beneath the waves. The two survivors praise highly the courage of their rescuers, and their subsequent kindness.
A FRENCH DEPUTY CHALLENGED…
A FRENCH DEPUTY CHALLENGED BY GOVERNMENT CLERKS. A singular incident is reported from Paris. It appears that M. Laguerre, the deputy, having called attention in the House to certain malpractices, as he styled them, of the minor clerks of the Ministry of the Interior, sixty of them drew lots to see which of them would call him out, and who among them would act as seconds to the champion. The lots fell to three young fellows attached to M. Wal- deck-Rousseau's Cabinet, named Schonfield, Morin, and Perigeois, who on Tuesday morning called on M. Laguerre when he was at breakfast. They demanded a retractation of what he had said in the Chamber. Ho curtly refused. Schonfield then retired, and his seconds declaring that he had been insulted by the manner in which he was received, clamoured for reparation. M. Laguerre said if he fought any one it would be M. Waldeck-Rousseau, and sent two fellow deputies to ask him whether he had authorised the challenge, and deemed his Ministry insulted. In the latter case he alone was competent to avenge the slight. The Minister acknowledged that he, sympathising with his clerks' susceptibility when their honour was attacked, gave them leave to call out M. Laguerre, but without examining into their grievance. He declined to change his attitude, or, as he put it, to displace his responsi- bility.
[No title]
SHALL THEY BE TAUGHT ?"—School Board Officer. You see, my good woman, your children must be educated." Mrs. Flanagan." Faix, I see nothin' ov the koind! You an' me hay' done well enoff widout it!"—Fun,
EPITOME OF NEWS.
EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. A shocking burning case is reported from Clayton- on-le-Moors, near Accrington. Two brothers, named Hulmes, were playing in bed with a small lamp on Saturday after their parents had gone to work, when the light set fire to the bed. The elder boy, aged seven, was so badly burned that he died later on in the day. His brother was also fearfully scorched. The Spanish official Gazette" of Monday publishes a circular, addressed to the Governors of the Provinces, announcing that the sanitary precautions lately taken to prevent the importation of cholerainto Spain are again in force. Lazarettos will be established on the frontier from the 12th inst., when travellers from France will be placed in quarantine, probably for a period of ten days. The Pope held a Consistory on Monday, at which he created nine new Cardinals, and then delivered an Allocution, in which he specially alluded to the affairs, of the Church in the British Colonies and in Africa. On Monday a dreadful accident occurred at the Cyclops Works, Sheffield, belonging to Messrs. Cammell and Co. Several ingots were being heated in a large furnace, when a quantity of gas which had accumulated suddenly exploded, just as a number of men were taking out an ingot. Fwe men were seriously burnt on the face, arms, and chest, and taken to the infirmary. Lord Ripon left Simla for the tour in Northern India, which he will make on his way to Calcutta. An International Exhibition is to be held at the AlexandraPalace nextyear, commencing about the 31st of March next, and remaining open for six months. A prominent feature in the prospectus is that 10 per cent. of the gross receipts from admission money is to be set apart for distribution amongst the principal London hospitals. The exhibition, like those at South Ken- sington, will not rely simply upon the attractiveness of the exhibits, but will include amusements of a varied nature. The building and grounds are to be brilliantly illuminated by the electric light. A desperate and fatal poaching affray took place on Sunday morning on the estate of Mr. Finch, MP., near Oakham. A number of keepers were watching in Burley Wood, when about one a.m. they dicovered seven poachers netting rabbits. The poachers attacked the keepers, and a despe, ate encounter ensued. The head keeper was assailed by a poacher named Baker, of Melton Mowbray, and another keeper, in going to his assistance, was struck by Baker. The keeper returned the blow, breaking the man's skull, producing death shortly afterwards. Two of the poachers were cap- tured. At the Sunderland Police court on Wednesday John Sadler, of Greenwich, was charged with having obtained money by false representations. The evidence showed that he had obtained 25s. by stating that he was entitled to JE36 which he received every year from the London and South-Western Railway Company on account of having lost one of his legs in a railway accident, which was not true. The magistrates sent the prisoner to gaol for three months. At the Woodbridge Petty Sessions on Wednesday, three labourers were summoned by the Marquis of Bristol for wilfully damaging notice-boards on Rush- mere-heath, near Ipswich. The agent of the marquis admitted that the notice-boards had only been put up within the last three months, and that for the previous thirty-six years commoners had uninterruptedly used the heath for feeding sheep, cutting whins, and taking gravel. The defendants admitted pulling down the boards and claimed that the marquis was the tres- passer in erecting them. The magistrate considered their jurisdiction ousted, and dismissed the summonses. The third fire within eight days occurred on Wednes- day night at a laundry, at Strood, where military and other washing is done. The damage done was very con- siderable before the Volunteer Fire,Brigade extinguished the flames. The weaving shed of Messrs. J. Crawfield and Son, cloth manufacturers, East-street, Leeds, measuring 35 yards by 20, and stocked with new machinery, was burnt to the ground on Wednesday night. The damage is estimated at several thousands of pounds. The Hon. Edward Stanhope, M.P., was present at a crowded public meeting in the Corn Exchange, Oxford, on Wednesday night, presided over by the Earl of Jersey, at which Messrs. Hall and Murdoch, the Conser- vative candidates, were adopted for the borough repre- sentation, and a resolution supporting the House of Lords was unanimously agreed to. Lord Jersey ex- pressed the hope that the Colonial Office would throw off the terrible lethargy which had -affected them of late, and Mr. Stanhope said there was no portion of the empire that had not felt the demoralising taint and cor- rupting influence of the policy of Mr. Gladstone. A marriage is arranged to take place during the first week of December, at Wynnstay, the seat of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P.. between the Countess Helen Bismarck, the youngest daughter of Count Bis- marck, of Schierstein, Pruspia, cousin to Prince Bis- marck, and Mr. Wilfrid Cripps, eldest son. of the late Mr. Wm. Cripps, M.P. At the Abergavenny Police-court, on Wednesday, a case of impudent housebreaking was investigated. It appeared that on Monday Alfred Walters, tenant of Chapel Farm, Llandelo, left his house in the morning, and returning three hours later saw a man retreating by the back door. He gave chase, and captured him in a wood, 500 yards distant, with a number of articles in his possession. An examination of the house showed that the prisoner had broken in the front door and then secured it from the inside. Drawers and boxes in different rooms had been ransacked, and money and valuables stolen. Prisoner was committed for trial. A novel competition took place at Bedworth on Wednesday—viz., a contest among coal-higglers, for prizes offered by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys which appeared to have been most kindly treated while in use during the past year. The field was crowded with spectators, among whom were many ladies. After the prizes had been awarded there was a procession through the town, the successful competitors, with ribbons and cards affixed to their animals' heads, coming first, and the unsuccessful competitors bringing up the rear. Fifteen of the original members of Mr. Gladstone's Government have been withdrawn by death or resigna- tion from the ranks of the Ministry. Lord Frederick Cavendish, Mr. Adam (who became Governor of Madras) Mr. Law (Lord Chancellor of Ireland), and now Mr. Fawcett have died. The following have resigned: The Duke of Argyll, Mr. Forster, Mr. Bright, Lord Lans- downe, Lord Cowper, Mr. Arthur Peel (now Speaker of the House of Commons), Lord Enfield, Lord O'Hagan, Mr. Grant Duff (who succeeded Mr. Adam as Governor of Madras), Mr. McLaren (who on retiring from the office of Lord Advocate was made a Lord of Session) and Mr. Dodson. While waiting his turn at the Music Hall, Edinburgh, on Tuesday night, Mr. Sims Reeves sauntered into the street. Two blind street-singers ran against him, and one asked, Do you know if Sims Reeves has turned up ?" The popular tenor replied in the affirmative, upon which the beggars exclaimed, Shouldn't I like to hear him." So you shall," was the answer, and the beggars, to their amazement, were led into the concert room to enjoy the entertainment. Mr. George Smith, of Coalville, has received a Treasury jorder for Y,300 as a grant from the Royal Bounty Fund in acknowledgment of his services in the interest of canal boat children, upon the recom- mendation of Mr. Gladstone. The Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council were occupied on Wednesday and on the pre- ceding day in considering the petition of Messrs. Duncan and Wilson for the extension of their patent for the "Victory" printing and folding machine.-Sir Frederick Bramwell gave evidence as to the newspaper printing machines in use in 1870, when the patent was taken out, and the great improvement which had been brought about by the invention of the Victory machine.—The Attorney-General, on behalf of the Crown, made no opposition to the proposed extension on the ground of merit, but he directed attention to the accounts, which showed a large profit, and the only question was whether the patentees had not been suffi- ciently remunerated.—Their lordships dismissed the petition. Lord Bury, speaking at a Conservative gathering at Christchurch on Wednesday night, said there was a flood of democracy about to sweep over the country, and Conservative organisations would be called upon to show their power. Referring to the action of the House of Lords regarding the Franchise Bill, his lordship said that that House had been seriously assailed, but he be- lieved that it strongly, clearly, and distinctly repre- sented the feelings of the country on this great matter. -At Bishop's Stortford, a mass meeting was held on Wednesday night, in the Great Hall, under the presi- dency of Mr. Henry B. Gilbey, in favour of the Fran- chise Bill. The Hon. H. F. Oowper, M.P., moved a re- solution according heart) support to Ministers in their efforts to enfranchise the working classes in the counties, and, while desiring to see a mea- sure of redistribution passed, protests against the efforts of the majority of the House of Lords to postpone tha Franchise Bill on this account. Mr. Fisher (Liberation Society) seconded, and the motion was supported by Mr. Seebohm, the second Liberal candidate for Herts, and Mr. Borlase, M.P. An amend- ment was proposed by Mr. Wigan, chairman of the Bishop's Stortford Conservative Association, and seconded by Major Edward Taylor, but was lost.-A meeting of Conservatives was held in the Guildhall; Cambridge, on Wednesday evening to hear addresses from Lord Dnnoughmore and the candidates (Messrs. Fitzgerald and Gedge). Resolutions were submitted to the meeting, and carried, approving of the present action of the House of Lords, and that an appeal to the people on the franchise question is eminently desirable to put an end to the blundering and vacillating policy pursued by the Government in the conduct of public affairs, both at home and abroad. With the view to economising space on the Post Office Telegraph "flimsies" for press messages, the latest order of two million sheets has the heading, with the coat-of- arms, compressed into half an inch, instead of occupy ing about an inch and a half, as previously. A decree of President Grevy is officially published announcing that the Paris Universal Exhibition will open on May 5th next, and close on October 31^t. the conditions of the exhibition will be set forth in a second decree, to be issued at a future date. The Prince of Wales will be again nominated for the office of Grand Master of English Freemasons at the quarterly communication of Grand Lodge on the 3rd of December. The Earl of Kintore, Grand Master of Mark Freemasons of England, will be again nominated for that position for the ensuing year at the half-yearly meeting of Grand Mark Lodge on December 2. The Teddington Local Board, having sought the opinion,of counsel, with regard to theproposed construc- tion of a suspension bridge over the Thames within their district, and obtained a favourable statement from Mr. Glen, have requested the sanction of the Thames Conservancy Board to the project. In the church of Foktoe, Austtia, a mosaic, represent- ing Archbishop Patatics, has been accidentally found near the high altar. The interior of the church was to be painted, and when the old paint had been washed off a magnificent picture, of the existence of which the people of Foktoe had no idea, was found. Among other steps being taken to restrict the spread of dissent in Russia, a new orthodoxjjbrotherhood has just been or, anised at Biesk, province of Tomak, to be called the fraternity of Holy Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostoff, for the special purpose of assisting the official clergy in counteracting the propaganda of sectarians. The Roman Catholic Plenary Council at Baltimore opened on Sunday with elaborate religious ceremonies, Archbishop Gibbons, the Apo tolic Delegate presiding. The business sessions began on Monday in secret. About seventy archbishops and bishops attended, in- cluding almost all the Romau Catholic prelates in the United States. A distressing case of death from fright is reported from Rye. A little girl named Irving, two years and nine months old, was frightened by a boy wearing a I mask, and shortly afterwards she saw her brother, also wearing a mask, peeping through a gate at a railway crossing. The child ran indoors screaming very much and never recovered from the shock. She lost her reason after the first day of the occurrence, and died from shock to the nervous system. Thomas Snell, a letter sorter, was at Edinburgh, on Monday, convicted of stealing a letter containing two half-sovereigns and 60 postage stamps. It was stated that the prisoner had been a long time in the employ of the Post Office, but he had brought about his ruin bv betting upon horse-racing, and had become a thief in order to make up some of his losses. A term of five years' penal servitude was imposed. The body of a young lady with her head completely severed was found on Monday night near the Horsforth Railway Station, four miles from Leeds. The deceased was identified as a Miss Moore, who resided with her mother in Hyde-park-terrace, Horsforth. At Hamburg an explosion occurred on Tuesday on board the British schooner Ida. The vessel had com- pleted discharging her cargo of gunpowder, and two of the crew were engaged in sweeping up the remains, when, from some unexplained cause, it was set alight. Both of the men were dangerously injured, and are even reported by one journal to have since died. The fire was quickly extinguished without any serious damage to the vessel. On Tuesday, at the Bristol Police-court, Frederick (alias Lewis) Johns was charged with attempting to defraud the Postmaster-General by seeking to procure the forgery of postage stamps. On October 14 prisoner wrote from Ferndale, Glamorganshire, to Mr. Walter Fisher, printer, asking him for a price for printing postage stamps, saying he required as many as 5000 a week. Prisoner afterwards came to Bristol to explain how the water-mark was to be managed, and was then given into custody. Evidence having been tendered in support of the charge, prisoner, who it is believed is insane, was committed for trial. The corner-stone of the memorial school to the late Dr. Francis Close, formerly rector of Cheltenham and late Dean of Carlisle, was laid on Tuesday morning at Cheltenham by the Mayor (Mr. George Parsonage). The site is a most desirable one, nine acres in extent, at some distance from the centre of the town. A number of gentlemen, including Cardinal Manning, the Attorney General, Mr. Charles Russell, M.P., and Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., met on Tuesday evening in the Conference Room, House of Commons, for the pur- pose of forming a committee to collect funds for the family of the late Mr. A. M. Sullivan. Cardinal Manning was called to the chair. Mr. Charles Russell and Mr. W. S. Caine, M.P., were requested to act as treasurers, and Mr. Barry O'Brien was appointed secre- tary. Over £700 was subscribed in the room. A Reuter's telegram from Quebec, dated Nov. 11, states that in the late storm on the Atlantic coast the schooner Emilie, which had on board the boilers taken from the wrecked steamer Fylgia, went down with 17 hands. At the sitting of the Battle County Justices on Tues- day, the master of the mixed National school was fined Is. and fS 8s. costs for assaulting a little child by striking her with undue violence with a stick on the arm. The justices in sentencing the defendant, who denied that he had treated the child with any special severity, expressed their opinion that in all cases where it was necessary to inflict corporal punishment on girls it was better to do so on the hands. A gentleman named Thomas Hanchman Day, aged 66 years, residing at 24, Hawkins-street, Mile-end, was watching the passage of the Show near the Mansion-. house, on Monday, when he was hustled and pushed, and eventually fell down. He was taken to Guy's Hos- pital, and upon being examined by the house-surgeon was pronounced to be dead. The mail boat bound for Southampton came in col- ision with and sank a yacht on Monday night, about eight miles off the Needles, Isle of Wight. The steamer cruised in the vicinity for some time, but succeeded in picking up only a small boat. At a cattle fair in Edinburgh on Tuesday, an in- furiated bull rushed at a woman, and catching her upon his horns bore her aloft through an excited crowd of spectators. The woman, half dead with fright, main- tained her novel position for a considerable distance, and was at length thrown over the animal's head on to the green sward. Strange to say she escaped with only a few bruises. The straw hat making industry, of which Luton is the chief centre, is at present in a very depressed state. Great destitution prevails among the poorer classes in consequence, and the appeals for assistance which come before the guardians are exceptionally numerous. The straw trade, in fact, has never been known to be in a worse condition. The leading mer- chants and manufacturers in Luton are at present holding a series of meetings with the object of placing the trade on a more satisfactory basis. Lord Granville's secretary, replying to a memoria from Liverpool in reference to the French marriage laws, and the hardships arising from their uncertainty inflicted upon English women marrying Frenchmen, writes-That matter is engaging the attention of her Majesty's Government, and an arrangement is nearly concluded with the French Government, which will practically obviate the evils complained of. A mass meeting of potters was held at Hanley on Monday to consider notices for revision of wages issued by 60 of the largest firms in the district. Fears were I expressed at the prospect of resuscitating a board of arbitration, and it was resolved that each manufacturer should make his own arrangements with his employes. The notices imply a reduction varying from 1 per cent. to as high in some cases as 15 per cent. About 70,000 workpeople are affected by the reduction. This year's vintage in the champagne districts is satis- factory, both as regards quantity and quality, the very fine weather in the autumn resulting in the crop being housed in splendid condition. One of the leading houses at Epernay have, it is said, made from their own vineyards (about 20GO acres of the best crus), over .4000 hogsheads, to which must be added the very con- siderable purchases made by them under contract with the proprietors of the neighbouring vineyards, the grapes being pressed by them in their own pressoirs. The Bank of France on Monday issued a new 50-franc note, which has for some time been in preparation. The design on the face and at back is of oval shape and printed im blue ink. In front are two winged children holding aloft an escutcheon, on which is the familiar legend Article 139 of the Penal Code punishes the counterfeiter." On the left and right hands are medallions with allegorical female figures, representing the one Industry and the other Agriculture. At the back two seated figures holding each other by the hand also represent Industry and Agriculture. On Monday morning the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, which runs over the Midland Railway, burst, and flooded one of the tunnels to the depth of twenty- five feet. Fortunately the mishap occurred while the men were away from work, so that no one sustained any injury. As an example of how monopolies are controlled in France it is interesting to note the terms of the con- tract about to be made between the French Govern- ment and the Compagnie G6n6rale, which has the monopoly of making matches for the next twenty years. The company will pay for the privilege 17,010,000. francs, about JE 700,000, and about 40 per cent. of the gross receipts in addition, in case the sale of matches exceeds 35 milliards. The nature and quality of the matches arc carefully prescribed, and the prices at which they are to be sold fixed. The Government reserves the right to control all the operations of the company, and the latter agrees to employ only French working men and agents, and not to have any interest, _€fcrectly or indirectly, in any similar enterprise in any foreign country. It is contemplated to hold an International Exhibi- tion in Edinburgh, to include works illustrating art and industry from all quarters, during the summer of 1886. An umbrella loan society is to be established in Berlin. Branch offices will be opened all over the city, where members ean obtain umbrellas in case of a sudden shower. A portait model of Colonel Stewart, C.M.G. (attired in the uniform of the 11th Hussars), Oriental traveller and linguist, is now added to the list of celebrities at Madame Tussaud'g Exhibition. The monument erected at Luxemburg to King William II., who gave to the Graul Duchy, after it had been finally severed from Belgium, in consequence of the Tieaty of 1839, its first Constitution, is of a very imposing character, and is well placed on the William- square. The pedestal whieh is more than six metres high, be&rs this inscription: To the King-Grand-Duke William II., by grateful Luxemburg, IBM." The statue, which is three metres 80c. in height, represents the to King on horseback, in field marshal's uniform, hat in hand, in the attitude of saluting an applauding multi- tude. Those who knew the late King pronounce the statue to be an excellent likeness. From Philadelphia it is reported that Silver Plume Colorado, a mining village, has been burned down. Several persons were burned to death, and the loss occa- sioned amounted to 100,000 dols. The Baroness Dowager de Rothschild, who has just taken up her residence at Cannes, has had removed to her villa from the Gulf of Juan an araucaria, which has not its equal in the country. It weighs twenty-eight tons, and was drawn on a dray to the town by thirty- two horses. In connection with the Exhibition of Old Masters in the coming winter, a large room at Burlington House, which has not yet been opened, and which only now approaches completion, will be occupied by a special selection of pictures and drawings by Turner. A far less comprehensive, but still an excellent artist, now too little known—James Wild, the animal painter-will likewise be specially represented in the show at Burling- ton House. Queen Victoria is 65, King Christian of Denmark is 66, and his wife, the Queen, is a year older. The Emperor of Austria is 54, and his wife is 46; while King Leopold, of Belgium, 49 years old, has a wife aged 50. The Sultan of Turkey is 42, King Oscar of Sweden 55, Louis of Portugal 46, Humbert of Italy 40, and President Grevy of France 71. The wife of the Russian ruler is three years younger than her husband, the wife of the German five, and the Queen of Italy seven. An extensive fire broke out at three o'clock on Friday morning in the Old English Hotel, Matlock Bridge. The fire-engine from Masson Hills was quickly at work, and a good supply of water was obtained, but the efforts to allay the fire were ineffectual, and the whole building was destroyed. The damage is estimated at from &10,000 to £12,000. A destructive fire occurred also on Friday morning on the premises of Messrs. M'Naught Brothers, warehousemen, and Oampbell's photography establishment, Oowcaddeu-street, Glasgow. A striking illustration of the difference between a Republic and a Monarchy, so far at least as newspapers are concerned, is found in the fact that the number of periodicals of all sorts published in the Czar's Empire, from the Baltic to the Pacific, from the northern sea down to Turkey and Persia, only equals the number published in New York city alone, 625, and is but little more than twice those published in Philadelphia. For the 50,000,000 souls in the United States there are 12,600 periodicals. For the 101,000,000 souls in Russia there are 625 periodicals, of which but 63 are dailies. The whole of Siberia, with 4,000,000 of population, has only two newspapers and a bi-monthly of a geographical society. The city of Harkoff, with 126.000 inhabitants and a university, has only two dailies and two month- lies. It takes only 4000 persons in Republican America to support one periodical; it takes more than forty times as many of his Autocratic Majesty's subjects to support a periodical. The Coin Department of the British Museum is about to add another series of catalogues to those already in progress cr completed. The Greek catalogue is probably more than half done in the eight volumes that have appeared. The Oriental catalogue is finished except the ninth or Persian volume, written by Mr. R. Stuart Poole, which is in the press. The Roman and mediaeval catalogues are begun, and the catalogue of English medals is in an advanced state. To these a series' of five volumes, forming the catalogue of Indian coins, is to be added. The Salvation Army has attracted less attention of late, but its proceedings are none the less peculiar, not to say profane. For instance, the War Cry adver- tises The new Salvation Army quilt," which is in white and red, crest in centre, and four mottoes also New Salvation Army towel, with red herder, crest, and the text -——— but the text is in such infamously bad taste that it will not bear repetition. The enter- prising General has also opened a boot and shoe depart- ment, and is prepared to execute with promptitude and despatch all orders with which all soldiers and friends may favour the new branch of the business. The public has not yet become aware of the fact that the Salvation Army is one of the mosf gigantic business concerns of the age; indeed, as Mrs. Booth, in her article on Busi- ness Principles in Religion 8ays," Why should enter- prise be shut out of Religion ? Why. indeed ? But the mixture of religion and commerce is scarcely con- sistent with the notions of •propriety held by even the most lax of us. Among the books sold by the General are How to learn to play a Salvation Army concertina at sight," House-top saints," The saved clergyman," and—this should refer to the army—" Aggressive Christianity."—" Lady's Pictorial." The numismatic collections of the late Professor Charles E. Anthon have just been deposed of in New York. In United States s-ilvcr. a beautiful dollar of 1794 fetched 135 dols.; one of 1801, 16 dols.; a proof dollar of 1836, with the engraver's name on the design, 15 dols. 50 cents.; another in same condition, with his name in the field, 50 dols., and one without stars on the reverse, 110 dols.; proofs of 1838 and 1839, 56 dols. an-1 41 dols. respectively: others of 1851 and 1852, 45 dols. and 50 dols. each. A rare copper piece, known as the naked bust Washington cent. of 1792 brought 77 dols. 50 cents.; a silver half-dollar of Washington, 1792, be- lieved to be unique, 125 dols. an impression of another type in copper, 17 dols.; a large bronze medal of Washington, with a design after Turnbull's famous picture, The Declaration of Independence," 15 dols. 50 cents.; Washington and Franklin silver medal, 1783. 12 dols. 50 cents.; a handsome bronze medal struck by the French democratic sympathisers in commemoration of the assassination of President Lincoln, 4 dols. 25 cents. Mr. John Crow Richardson, a gentleman who has been connected with the copper ore trade for over half a century, has died suddenly, at the age of 74, at his Carmarthenshire residence, Glanbryddan-park. The deceased was universally popular, owing to his wide- spread liberality. A few days ago a cabman, residing in Islington, found in his cab a leather bag which had been left by a fare. He took the bag, which was securely locked, to the Islington Police-station, and, upon being opened by the authorities there, it was found to contain a quantity of jewellery, the value of which was estimated at about JP300. It transpired that the valuables had been accidentaly left in the cab by a lady, and the fortunate finder has just been presented with a cheque for £20. The memorial to the late Prince Imperial having been unveiled on the 13th of January, 1883, by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, K.G., it was proposed that the balance of the fund should be devoted to pre- paring a book. containing the names of all the sub- scribers to the memorial, for presentation to her Imperial Majesty the Empress Eugenie. The book was made of ebony, with silver mounts, with raised carved silver N and Imperial crown in the centre, and raised silver eagle at each corner and inside a painted view of the memorial, an autograph letter of his Royal Highress the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., as president of the general committee, and a. list of the names of all the subscribers, beautifully illuminated on vellum. The album was presented to her Majesty the Empress Eugénie on the 29th of October by Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., attended by Major the Honourable J. Napier, 10th Royal Hussars, and Major General C. C. Fraeer, C.B., V.C., honorary secretary to the memorial fund. The following story of Turner is told on the authority of a living artist: Turner happening one day to pass a print shop, noticed in the window a copy of one the engravings from his famous Liber Stuaiorum." The print was in a very dirty, ragged state, and Turner naturally felt aggrieved at seeing the work of his hands in this dilapidated condition. Entering the shop he asked to see the master, and when the man came for- ward Turner at once proceeded to Hame him in no measured terms for having neglected so valuable a print, and for having allowed it to become so disfigured. The man protested that it was no fault of his, as he did but offer the engraving for sale in the same state in which he had bought it from some other dealer. This did not satisfy Turner, however, and he and the man continued arguing in this fashion for some time, each making the other more angry by contradiction. At last the print- seller lost all patience. Perhaps, sir," he said, when you have quite finished what you have to say, you will kindly tell me what youhave to do with this engraving, and what business it is of yours whether the print is clean or dirty ? This is what I have to do witk it," answered the enraged artist; "it was I drew the original of that print, my name is Turner, and I did every line of that engraving with my own hand. Now do you wonder that I am angry at seeing my work in sc disgraceful a state ? Indeed, sir," replied the print- seller, so you are the great artist himself. All my life long it has been my wish that I might some day have the good fortune to see Mr. Turner. And now that I have seen him,;I sincerely hope that I may n»vet see him any more.'