The Aberystwith Observer

DEMONSTRATION OF FARM LABOURERS. On Monday was held in the Frying Pan, Ham-hill, near Yeovil, the fourteenth annual demonstration of farm labourers, and more than usual interest was evinced in the gathering, from the fact that Mr. Mitchell (" One from the Plough "), who was the prime mover in these demonstrations, had come for- ward as a candidate for Parliament for the Southern Division of Somerset. Three bands were present, and the procession started from Montacute, Mr. Mitchell's birthplace, soon after two o'clock. Rain interfered with the attendance, but there were on the hill nearly 1000 persons, including men, women, and children. It was evident that there were some present who did not agree with Mr. Mitchell's candi- dature, and when his name was mentioned as a pro- bable candidate there were shouts of "No, no," mingled with Yes, yes. The proceedings were commenced by Mr. George Potter (London) being voted to the chair. While Mr. Potter was speaking a man in front of him caused considerable interrup- tion, whereupon the chairman invited him to take the chair. The man stepped into the break to do so, and whilst addressing the crowd was pulled down by a labourer, and considerable uproar and a free fight resulted. At length the man was hustled from the Frying Pan, and on order being restored Mr. Seymour Stephenson (candidate for Eye) pro- posed the first resolution, thanking Mr. Gladstone (whose name was received with cheers) for his efforts in conferring the franchise on the agricul- tural labourer, and wishing him prolonged life to carry further reforms. The speaker dwelt more par- ticularly on the necessity of reforms in our land laws. Mr. Albert Bath (Sevenoaks) seconded the resolution. He extolled Mr. Gladstone, and contrasted the Agricultural Holdings Act passed by the present Government with the one passed by the previous Government. At the coming election he said they should vote for candidates who would go in for reform of the land laws. The resolution was carried. The Rev. T. Neave (Dorchester) proposed a resolu- tion in favour of pledging those present to support candidates who were favourable to increased promi- nence being given to the disestablishment and the disendowment of the established church. He con- tended in the course of his remarks that there was no reason why bishops should have special privileges above such men as Messrs. Spurgeon, Dale, and other prominent nonconformist ministers. This resolution was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Heath (London), and carried. Mr. Burrows (London) proposed a re- solution in favour of the nationalisation of land, and moved that the following petition be presented to Parliament: That your petitioners, seeing that the population of thi3 country has increased to an extent which the limited area of the United Kingdom cannot feed save by greatly increased cul- tivation of the soil, do therefore pray that a bill may be framed giving such cultivable land into the charge of a special representative body, in order that all those willing should be allowed and assisted to pos- sess as much as they require on such terms that the land may be their own in thirty years, and that a fair compensation should be given to present owners according to the taxes they pay." Mr. Walter Munford (Crewkerne) seconded, and the resolution was carried. Mr. Judd (an agent of the Agricultural Labourers' Union) proposed a resolution advocating the cause of the union; Mr. Ball (vice-president of the union) seconded, and Mr. Mitchell supported. This being also carried, the proceedings shortly after- wards closed.

SHOCKING SCENE AT AN EXECUTION. On Monday morning the execution of Moses Shrimpton, aged 65, of Birmingham, for the murder of Police-constable Davies at Alvechurch, took place in the Worcester County Gaol. After condemnation Shrimpton's behaviour was becoming, and he paid due attention to the ministrations of the gaol chap- lain, the Rev. A. Telfer. In his letters to his family he expressed himself as willing to die, and as believ- ing he should meet them in heaven. He, however, made no confession, as far as can be ascertained; the gaol officials, however, are very reticent. Three re- porteis were admitted to witness the execution. The condemned man was understood to have slept well on Sunday night, and arose at six o'clock on Monday morning and breakfasted, and up to the time fixed for his death-eight o'clock—he was attended by the chaplain. A few minutes before that hour a pro- cession was formed from the condemned cell to the Treadmill House, where the drop was erected, Shrimpton being attended by a warder on each side, the hangman (James Berry) following, and the Rev. A. Telfer leading, and reading the Burial Service. All arrangements being complete, Berry performed the last offices, the fatal bolt was drawn, and at the same moment the raising of the black flag announced to outsiders the carrying out of the final sentence of the law on one who for the greater part of his life had set it at defiance. Death was instantaneous, but the body presented a shocking spectacle—the long drop had had the effect of partially severing the head from the body, and a terrible gash appeared in the throat. The usual formal inquest was held. Shrimpton was a native of Long Crendon, Bucks. His first conviction was for apple stealing, when, at the age of 15, he was sent to Aylesbury Prison for a month, a Mr. Dodswell being the prosecutor. On a subsequent occasion he effected his escape from gaol, and was pursued for ten or twelve miles, bloodhounds being employed in the chase. Finding that he was being overtaken, Shrimpton jumped into a millpond, and remained there until his pursuers came up and arrested him. He was about 25 years of age when he wer.t to live at Headless Cross, near Redditch. At the time he was apprehended for the capital offence he was living at Birmingham with the woman Moreton, who was indicted with him as accessory after the fact, she being, however, acquitted.

THREE DAYS AMID ICEBERGS IN THE ATLANTIC. Captain Lord, of the steamer Critic, which left Dundee for New York on April 26 with goods and passengers, reports that he arrived at that port on May 12, after a most perilous passage, during which the vessel was embedded for three days in an ice floe, and narrowly escaped destruction. Captain Lord reports that for ten daya after he left the Tay they had fine weather, but on the morning of May 5 the temperature suddenly fell, and kept going down till midnight, when a thick fog enveloped the ship. When daylight broke the sight that met the view was appalling. A vast wall of ice completely surrounded the ship, and many of the passengers were panic-stricken, especially the women and children. This occurred in latitude 48 degrees north and longitude 47 degrees 10 minutes west, right in the highway between Europe and America. The Critic struck the ice about six o'clock on the morning of May 6, and the flow seemed to extend in a west- north-west and south-south-east direction all day long. The Critic tried to find a passage to the south- ward, but without avail. The icebergs were exceed- ingly numerous and of monstrous size. Many of them were 800 feet high, and assumed the dimen- sions of large islands. The fog became thicker and thicker, continues the captain, and it was with difficulty a way could be threaded through the bergs. Notwithstanding all the precautions taken the ship became fast in a field of packed ice. They remained in this position all night on the 6th, and on the 7th the morning opened clear, but still no way out of the floe could be found. Ar other long and fearful night followed, and it was only at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 8th, when those on board the Critic had almost given up hope of ever getting out again, that the field suddenly opened and the steamer got into clear water. Captain Lord says, '• Such a shout of thanksgiving as went up then you never heard. We had been on the alert for 60 hours, and were nearly dead with fatigue. This wonderful ice floe in such a latitude seems almost incredible. I never saw anything like it before, and I believe it is unprecedented in maritime history." The Critic left the ice when in latitude 44deg. north, longitude, 49 deg. 20 minutes west.

A Mormon elder has taken an annual bridal trip for the past five years, each time with a separate bride,

1 THE REBELLION IN CANADA. The Philadelphia Correspondent of the Times, telegraphing on Tuesday, says General Middleton, with 400 men, arrived at Battleford on Sunday night, joining Colonel Otter. The troops which came up yesterday increased the force there to 1000. Father Cochin came in from Poundmaker yester- day, saying that the chief wished to surrender uncon- ditionally. Many Indians have already arrived, giving up their arms. They are greatly afraid of punishment. Several hostile chiefs, commanding other bands to the north of Swift Current, have sent word to the General that they desire to sur- render. The entire body of the hostile Indians in the Nortb-West is now quieted, excepting Big Bear's tribe. He continues defiant, and has 800 warriors, fairly armed, collected near Fort Pitt. Many irre- concilables from other tribes have joined him, and he has a large amount of captured provisions and other plunder. General Middleton will prepare a strong expedition to subdue him, thus ending all hostility in the North-West. FENIANISM AND THE REBELLION. The Press Association has received from a reliable correspondent the following narrative in connection with the recent rising of half-breeds in Canada Now that the Canadian rebellion is practically at an end, I feel myself at liberty to say something as to an unpublished page of its history. In the early part of last January it became known to certain mem- bers of the Irish Republican Brotherhood that Alfred Aylward had arrived in London, having come from New York, via Liverpool. Aylward, who became notorious during the late Boer war, was extremely reticent as to the object of his presence in England. By some it was supposed that he intended proceeding to South Africa, where he would seek to render himself as troublesome to Sir Charles Warren as he proved to be to Sir Owen Lanyon and to General Colley. By others it was asserted that he intended making an effort to reach the Mahdi. En passant I may remark that during the last eighteen months two members of the Fenian organisation, both high in confidence of the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, have attempted unsuccessfully to join the False Prophet. The bones of one of them are whitening in the Soudan the other individual has returned to London. 1'r There were, however, those of Aylward's confreres who knew in what direction his words were pointing when, at the conclusion of a speech delivered by him on the 26th of February at a social gathering of his friends at his lodgings in Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, he remarked that before long he would again prove a sharp thorn in the side of the British Government. On the following morning he went over to Paris, where he remained for more than a fortnight, staying at an American hotel in the Rue Danou, where he passed as a surgeon-dentist. A few days after his arrival in Paris, while in an oyster saloon in the Place de la Madeline, he was recognised by an individual who had known him jears before at the Cape. Aylward immediately hurried from the saloon, and during the remainder of his stay in Paris carefully avoided those places which are the resort of English and American visitors. During the whole of his stay in the French capital he abstained from en- tering into any sort of communication with the members of the Fenian organisation in Paris, who are known as the Men of Action." As behoved one who was engaged upon an independent mission, Aylward held himself aloof from those who, by their injudicious utterances, brought them- selves into such public notice that a little later on a few of the best known, and, I may add, with one solitary exception, the least important—though the most blatant-of their number, found them- selves in the enforced possession of free tickets to the Belgian or Swiss frontiers. Now, what was Aylward doing in Paris ? Well, this is treading on excessively delicate ground, and I would prefer letting subse- quent events speak for themselves. Suffice it to say that among the French population of Canada there is a large and of late years rapidly increasing party, the raison d'etre of whose existence is the nourishing and expansion of one idea, namely, separation from England and the Republic of which M. Grevy is president is encouraging this idea far more directly, both by organised emigration and intrigue, than English people either in this country or in Canada at all realise. In this connection, I am free to remark -the rebellion being now a thing of the past—that the so-called "Riel affair" was simply an experiment -a demonstration, as it were—designed to accustom the French in the Dominion of Canada to feel and to think as a race. At the end of the second week of March Aylward left France via Havre, for New York, giving to a friend in London his address a3 Jackson-street, St. Paul's, Minnesota. For several weeks after Aylward's arrival at St. Paul's many officer's of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, some of whom were years ago eagerly sought for by the G Division in Dublin, found their way westward. On the 29th April Captain Thomas S. Mullen, who is known in New York as one who in the troublous times of 1865-66 was regarded as Captain McCaferty's right-hand man, and ex-Sergeant E. D. Crosby, who served at Fort Pembina, Dakota, in the 17th United States Infantry in 1872, passed in the most open manner through Dunseith, Dakota, in charge of thirty-six men, all armed with the new pattern Win- chester rifle. They were accompanied by three mule teams, conveying the men's baggage and thirty days' rations. Captain Mullen made no secret of his des- tination, or of the origin of his orders. Aylward's directing hand was plainly seen in the fighting that occurred at Batoche, and now that the rising has been suppressed not a few strangers have recently been finding their way back across the United States fron- tier, only a few of them having ever reached the scene of hostilities. Aylward is known throughout South Africa either as captain or doctor, and during the Boer war he enjoyed the distinction of General. In 1868, being in danger of his life from the Assassination Com- mittee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood in Dublin, who unjustly suspected his fidelty, he betook himself to South Africa, and engaged in trading and hunting in the Matebele country. He next appeared on the newly-opened diamond fields as the editor of the newspaper started there, and later on he distinguished himself in the expulsion of the British Commissioner from Kimberley, sub- stituting for the Union Jack, which he himself hauled down, the Green Flag of the New Republic, of which he proclaimed himself the President, and from which position he retired only on the approach of a British force under Sir Arthur Cunninghame, then Com- mander-in-Chief at the Cape. In 1876 he became Commandant-General of the irregular force raised at the Diamond Fields by the Boer Government. On x. the annexation of the Transvaal by the British he re- turned to Great Britain, and while in Edinburgh in 1878 he wrote, The Transvaal of To-day," in advo- cacy of the Boer cause, and in which he foretold with prophetic accuracy the events of the disastrous cam- paign that followed, and in which he played so con- spicuous a part. In June, 1883, he wrote as General" Aylward to O'Donovan Rossa, and later on-about October of the same year-voluntarily pre- sented himself before a committee of Rossa's im- mediate supporters, and replied to certain charges of unfaithfulness that bad been preferred against him. Having re-established himself with the Clan-na- Gael (the section of the organisation of which Rossa is one of the principals), he proceeded from New York to Illinois, where he remained up to the end of last year. (Reuter's Telegram.) OTTAWA, May 27. At this afternoon's sitting of the Dominion House Cominons, the Hon. A. P. Caron, Minister of Militia, read'a despatch from General Middleton, stating that Poundmaker, Yellow Mud, Can Man, Breaking-through-Ice, and White Bear, all of whom are influential Indian Chiefs, were now prisoners in his camp, and that their arms, consisting of 210 rifles, and all their supplies, had been secured. Gabriel Dumont, Riel's lieutenant, has been cap- tured near the American frontier. General satisfaction is expressed throughout the Dominion at the energy and ability displayed by the Hon. A. P. Caron, Minister of Militia, during the recent rebellion. The 'facts of the case have also made a deep impression on the public mind in the United States.

A newspaper in Madrid, called the Correspondence, is peculiar in its way. It has the largest circulation of any paper in the capital, reaching 200,000 to 300,000 a day. It has no editor, but a dozen wide- awake reporters, who scour the town for every kind of information. They come to the office and drop their manuscripts in a bag, and there they stay till the foreman wants copy. Everything is then thrown into the formes without regard to order or anything else, and the paper is read from end to end in spite of the fact.

A COMMENDABLE MISSION." They cerrtainly have a practical way of teaching children in some of the American schools. A large educational establishment in New York is called the Olivet Mission, and at the examination of scholars here a number of visitors were lately invited. Domestic economy is one of the subjects taught, and j to this the most practical application is given. The girls were examined in doing chambermaid's work in a bed-room fitted up for the purpose, and then they bad to set a dinner table. Moreover, they had to cook a dinner to put on the table when it was set, and music is here combined with cookery. Songs accompany the domestic exercises, and these songs are not vague addresses to the Sweet By and Bye," or Sweet Dreaming Faces," but ditties of a highly instructive character. If potatoes you would boil, And potatoes would not spoil. You must open wide your eyes, Get potatoes of one size. Then you pare them very thin, For the meal is next the skin. Cover them with water cold. Pray, remember, what you're told." So one of the ballads runs, and the moral, it must be admitted, is excellent.' The little girls turned their lessons to good account when they were examined, and cooked a capital dinner, which a reporter des- cribes as a "delicious success." The repast was equally well served, and another song instructs the pupils to Pass the tray like that, And try to hold it, Always hold it, Very, very flat." Still more, songs set forth the impropriety of making a noise or break- ing a dish. The Olivet Mission is evidentlv a very admirable institution.

A VENERABLE JOURNAL. The oldest newspaper in the world, the PeJcin Gazette, has lately taken a new lease of life. Estab- lished in the year 911, it has been published regularly since 1351. Under the new arrangement three editions are published—the first, the King-Paou, printed upon yellow paper, constitutes the official gazette of the Middle Kingdom; the second, the Hsing-Paou (commercial journal), also printed upon yellow sheets, contains information interesting to the trading community while the third, the Titani Paott (provincial gazette), printed upon red paper, consists of extracts from the other two editions. The total circulation of the three issues is 15,000 copies. The editorship is confided to a comm'ttee of six members of the Academy of Han-Lin

SAD DEATHS IN A LIMEKILN. A shocking occurrence is reported from Mullingar, at Castle Pollard. A religious mission had been held, and a lime-burner, named Michael Farnham, and his daughter Margaret attended. On returning home, both proceeded into a limekiln to renew the fire. They were some time inside, and to judge from the position in which the bodies were found, were coming out, when the gases overcame them, and death resulted. Subsequently a son of Farnham's went to search for his father and sister, and going inside the limekiln discovered the bodies, and narrowly escaped with his own life.

Suites to the sweet," as the man said when he took his young wife to live in a flat.

:ilia ENGLAND, RUSSIA, AND AFGHANISTAN. A Vienna correspondent writes In a semi-official communication to the Politischc Correspondent, it is explicitly asserted that nothing has occurred in the course of the Anglo-Russians negotiations to justify the report as to the critical aspect of affairs. Nothing, it is maintained, is farther from the intentions of Russia than to put forward at the present time claims that would be likely to complicate matters. Heater's telegrams on Saturday were as follow: Simla: The British officers who have arrived at Herat have been warmly welcomed in that city. They report the fortifications of the place to be stronger than was supposed.—St. Petersburg: The Official Messenger to-day declares that there is no foundation for the statement made by some news- papers that the Wotiaks in the Malmysh district, in the Government of Yiatka, attempted to sacrifice an Orthodox priest to the Evil Spirit. The shallows dis- covered recently at the point where the Neva enters the sea-canal, but which form no serious impediment to shipping, will be shortly clear of mud. The Com- mittee of the Exchange has fixed the 13th inst. as. the official date from which navigation is to be regarded as open at St. Petersburg. Moscow It is announced here that the battalion of Engineers which arrived at Sebastopol a few days ago has commenced work on the fortifications of that city. The completion of the ironclads now building at Sebastopol is being has- tened. A Paris paper announced that an Indian who is represented to be a son of Nana Sahib, and is treated with Princely honours, is an officer in the Russian army. Correspondents telegraphing from Berlin on Sunday night said A telegram from London published in the National Zcitung of to-day, states that Russia now insists upon having Meruchak comprised within the Russian frontier, as a compensation for renouncing all claim upon Afghanistan. The question of the present and future of Herat is said not to have been touched upon in the negotiations. VIENNA, Sunday Night. A telegram from St. Petersburg states that the Russian Government intends to set on foot extensive irrigation works in Central Asia. St. Petersburg telegrams, dated May 23rd, state —A notice from the General Staff announces that the formation of the Transcaspian Rifle Brigade was completed at the end of February last in conformity with the orders issued by the Ministry of War on Nov. 22 of last year. Three subaltern officers have been appointed to the second Transcaspian Railway Battalion. The Novosti to-day states that draught proposals referring to the administration of the Navy, to changes in the staff of the Russian Admiralty, and of the harbour administrations, have been submitted to the Council of the Empire. A special commission lately inspected at the Mo3cow railway station several baggage vans of a new model intended to be used in the military transport service. On May 24, Reuter's telegrams were as follows The General Staff of the Navy has issued a notifica- tion to the effect that in consequence of an order of the King of Sweden, the northern and the southern passage of the Faro Sound have been closed by means of torpedoes since the beginning of May (N.S.), and that consequently the northern passage will be abso- lutely closed to all ships. Vessels wishing to go by the southern passage will be required to take on board pilots in the service of the Swedish Govern- ment. The EussJci Invalid states that during the manoeuvres at the Guards' camp at Krasnoe Selo and Ust Ishora a brigade of Sappers and two batteries of Artillery as well as the students of the Officers' School of Artillery will be concentrated near Ust Ishora. The manoeuvres w will be carried out so that as much time as possible will be saved, but on the other hand there will be no undue haste. Orders have been issued that as far as feasible the operations shall resemble real warfare. The same paper also publishes some further appointments of officers to the second Transeaspian Railway Batta- lion. According to the journals the latter will com- prise 1200 men, and will be formed in Moscow. The construction of the Transcaspian Railway as far as the Amu Daria is to be completed during the pre- sent year. The Journal de St. Petcrsbourg to-day reproduces some of the documents in the Blue Book on the Afghan question, and after mak- ing a reservation in regard to what may be incomplete or incorrect, observes that accuracy is im- possible when a matter is looked at from one point of view only. The journal adds that it understands that the Russian Government will shortly publish a collection of diplomatic papers referring to this ques- tion, and then light will be thrown on it from both sides. Sir Peter Lumsden arrived at Baku on Sunday on board the mail steamer Alexander III., and, after visiting the naphtha works of Messrs. Nobel, pro- ceeded for Tiflis. At Cronstadt on Saturday the Grand Duke Alexis continued his inspection of the fleet. The Com- mander-in-Chief of the fleet hoisted his flag on the steam frigate Olaf. SECRET TREATY WITH RUSSIA BY THE KHAN OF BADAKCHAN. (Reuter's Messages.) ST. PETERSBURG (via Grunbinnen), May 25. Advices from Astrabad mention a report that the Khan of Badakchan, a city of,Great Bokhara, situate on the Amoudaria, has concluded a secret treaty with Russia, ensuring his friendly neutrality during the Russo-Afghan conflict. Badakchan occupies a position of considerable importance, and lies on the direct caravan route to Cabul and China. It is the capital of the Kelan Province. THE RUSSIAN WAR PREPARATIONS. ST. PETERSBURG (via, Gambinnen), May 25. Advices from the Black Sea ports, just to hand, do not by any means bear out the repcrtj of relaxed energy in the special war preparations. We hear vaguely and occasionally of movements of troops to the Caucasus, and thence towards Central Asia, but such is the vigorous censorship still exercised that it is almost impossible to obtain definite information thereanent. The work of improving the fortifications of Sebas- topol is proceeding with the greatest energy, and the military engineers expect to finish all the batteries within two months. THE PRESS IN ST. PETERSBURG. ST. PETERSBURG, May 25. After a long period of severity the Government have at length been induced to take into consideration the grievances of the press in this city. After due deliberation by the Government the matter has been referred to a commission under the presidency of Under Secretary Brocherof, and it is fully expected that the immediate result will be a material modifi- cation of the existing press lav. A correspondent telegraphing from Simla on Tues- day says The troops comprising the 2nd Army Corps have been informed that they are no longer required to hold themselves in readiness for active service. A correspondent of the Daily News with the Afghan Delimitation Commissions telegraphs: SINJOU, May 24 (via Meshed, May 26). Reinforcements of Cabouli infantry have arrived at Herat. More are on their way both from Candahar and Caboul. The heavy guns presented to the Ameer by the Indian Government are reported to be on their way from Candahar for the defence of Herat. The Afghans are busy repairing the defences of Herat. A Reuter's Copenhagen despatch says In regard the proposal to appoint the King of Denmark arbitrator in the difficulty between England and Russia, it is stated on good authority that at the be- ginning of May Russia privately inquired of the King whether he was willing to undertake the office, to which his Majesty replied in the affirmative, pro- viding that he were invited to do so by both parties. Since that time, however, the matter has not been touched upon. Further rewards have been lavished upon General Komaroff for his victory over the Afghans at Pul-i- Khisti. In addition to the sword of honour, which was so ostentatiously bestowed upon him, he has since been offered an annual pension of 5000 roubles for ten years. On being acquainted with this act of generosity on the part of his Imperial master, the General begged that he might receive the whole amount of 50,000 roubles at once. His request was conveyed to the Czar through the War Minister, his Imperial Majesty not only assented to it, but gave orders to have the amount doubled. j

A modern call to preach is or should be accom- panied by a promise to pay.

SAD DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN. The Rev. Nathaniel Small, Rector of Market Bos- worth, has met with a shocking death from burning. The reverend gentleman, who was 89 years of age, on the 15th inst. whilst attending to the fire in his study, fell forward. His clothes caught fire, and when he was found by his page he was lying on the hearthrug enveloped in flames. Medical assistance was at once procured, but the injuries resulted in death. Mr. Small was presented to the living, which is worth S900 a-year, in 1847, but bad for some time ceased to engage in active duty.

FATAL BOATING ACCIDENTS. A distressing accident occurred at Mablethorpe, near Louth, on Monday afternoon through the cap- sizing of a pleasure boat crowded with passengers. Twenty persons were rescued, all in a moie or less exhausted condition; but at least five or six others were drowned. Those saved were taken to the various inns and hotels in the town, and all are doing well. The fatalities would have been much more numerous but for the strenuous exertions of Captain Pritchard, R.N., the local police, and a few other men. One of the persons drowned, it subsequently transpired, was Mr. Wilson, Great Northern goods agent at Burton. On Monday, whilst following some lifeboats which had been entered for a local regatta, a coble belong- ing to Mr. Johnson Pounder was run down in Hartle- pool Bay by a steamer named the Clarence, belonging to the North-Eastern Railway Company, her sides being stove in and the occupants, six in number, pre- cipitated into the water. Two were drowned, and the other four were rescued by a Sunderland steam- trawler, laden with passengers.

AN EXTRAORDINARY COURTING EXPERIENCE. At Forfar before Sheriff Robertson, a well-dressed man, named David Martin, son of Charles Martin, farmer, West Ballochie, Logie, Perth, was charged with an assault, on the 2nd inst., on Charles Purvis, farm servant, EastBallochie. The evidence showed that Purvis and a companion named Ross had been in the habit of visiting the servant girls at West Ballochie, and had been remonstrated with for doing so by the accused. Between nine and ten o'clock on the night in question, apparently with the knowledge of the girls, they went to the farmhouse, and at the request of one of the girls took off their boots. When they were near the kitchen door, the defendant sprang out on them, and seizing Purvis, he put one of a pair of handcuffs on one wrist, struck him on the mouth with a stick or switch. He then forcibly took him to a henhouse, put his arms about a beam five feet from the ground, fastened on the other handcuff- to the other wrist, tied his legs together with a rope, threw a pailful of dirty water in his face, and left him standing in the position described for eight hours. Purvis, as before mentioned, had no boots on, and the floor was of earth and the night wet. In the morning the defendant visited him and gave him some bread- and-butter and water, and then at the request of his (defendant's) father, released the complainant. The sheriff said many a man would have succumbed to such treatment, and people could not be allowed to take the law into their own hands. The accused was evidently a person in a very respectable position in society, and imprisonment would be very severe on him, but the Court could not pass a less sentence than imprisonment for twenty-one days with hard labour.

THE POISON IN TOBACCO. If smoking is really a reprehensible habit, the phy- sicians who are opposed to it are largely to blame for its continuance, for their theories have been so promptly disproved by experience that men are quite right in assuming that expert opinions on poisons are not deserving of much respect. For instance, it has apparently been demonstrated by laboratory experi- ments that there is nicotine enough in a single mild cigar to kill a man. More than 1,000,000 cigars are consumed in New York every day, but who ever heard of a man dying of the effects of a single cigar ? There is poison enough in a pound of the root from which manioca is prepared to kill a dozen men, yet two or three ounces of manioca are eaten daily by each of thousands of children with no bad effects. It is known, regarding this edible, that at a certain stage of preparation heat entirely destroys its poisonous properties; evidently a similar result, though not so radical, occurs when tobacco burns, otherwise each smoker would die after consuming a cigar. That some nicotine--an undoubted poison-- is inhaled with tobacco smoke is quite evident, for the physical experiences of beginners are exactly those of persons who have taken an under-dose of poison; nevertheless, the system speedily accommodates itself to the intruder, and among veteran and steady smokers may be found thousands of the strongest and most enduring physiques in America, and thousands, too, of delicate organisations, which would at once succumb to a poison as active and virulent as tobacco is said to be.

Clasp my cloak," said a beautiful young lady to her cavalier. "Yes, and the contents too ?" And he did.

COMMUNISTIC RIOTS IN PARIS. I Sunday being the anniversary of the fall of the Commune, a demonstration took place at the tomb of the Communists in the cemetery of Pére la Chaise. The police finally succeeded in dispersing the rioters after arresting thirty of their number. During the riot the police bad one officer and eight agents wounded. According to the anarchist journals two or three of the Communists were killed and ten wounded, but on Monday evening it was reported that only about thirty people were wounded during the disturbance. No one was killed. The conduct of the police, in connection with the disturbance, was much discussed by the journals, which, in their issue of Monday, express profound regret that, at a moment when Victor Hugo lay dead in his chamber, Paris should have been disgraced by such a scene. The re- volutionaries through all—Rochefort and others- urge that the police made a premeditated attack upon them. On, the other hand, the authorities state that the anarchists bad placarded the cemetery with incendiary appeals to the proletariat to rise and mas- sacre the bourgeoisie. A fresh encounter occurred on Monday between the anarchists and the police on the occa3ion of the interment of the Communist Courmel. Some hours before the arrival of the funeral procession a strong body of the Republican Guard took up their position in the Cemetery of Pere la Chaise. The manifest- ants filed past the Guards in sullen silence, and pro- ceeded to the grave. Here violent discourses were pronounced, M. Henri Rochefort being among those present. Inflamed by the speeches the anarchists marched out of the cemetery in a body, with the red flag flying bravely in their midst. As was to be expected, the police made a determined effort to secure it, and the scene on Sunday was re-enacted with fortunately a less sanguinary result. Many persons were injured, however. One policeman was stabbed and his assailant was arrested. Further arrests were made. The funeral of M. Amouroux, ex-Communist and the deputy for St. Etienne, took place on Tuesday, but, fortunately, without evoking any of Monday's or Sunday's regretable incidents. Probably the number following was nearly double that of Monday, and a little variety was added to the scene by the fact that the deceased was followed by a group of deputies chosen by lot, including several belonging to the Extreme Right. There were several banners in the procession, including one that was but the very mildest modification of the Communist standard. But two undisguised red flags were furled until the arrival of the procession at the cemetery gates, when their unfurling gave rise to some weak cries of Vive la Commune Speeches were delivered by the Communist General Eudes and others containing the usual incendiary ravings. MM. Clemenceau, Lockroy, and Clovis Hugues followed, but did not speak. Sunday's incidents at Pere Lachaise came before the Chamber on Tuesday, but the Government obtained a vote of confidence by 388 against 10, the Extreme Left abstaining from voting.

PAINFUL SUICIDE FROM VICTORIA BRIDGE. On Monday morning the Metropolitan Police authorities circulated the following description of the body of a man of gentlemanly appearance, who, on Sunday night, committed suicide by jumping off Vic- toria-bridge, Chelsea. In his descent, however, the unfortunate man fell on the buttress, and was fright- fully injured. Amid a scene of the wildest excite- ment, he was rescued from falling into the Thames, but on his being conveyed to St. Thomas's Hospital he expired a few minutes after his arrival. Age, 40 height, 5ft. 7in.; complexion, fair; hair, whiskers, and moustache, dark eyes grey. The deceased was dressed as follows: .Black diagonal cloth coat and vest, dark tweed trousers, white cotton shirt (red and bluo spots), white linen collar, black tie (yellow spots), brown socks, and lace boots. On person were found two letters, one being addressed to Mr. M. Archer, No. 44, Chatham-street, Battersea," and the other to T. P. Gilfoyle, care of Mr. Green, No. 76, Great Portland-street."

llJi&dfeitmrs Jnlelligentf. HOME- FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. A MONSTER FOSSIL.—An almost perfect skeleton of the mososaurus has just been found in a quarry neM Mons. It has the extraordinary length of 55ft gin., and will be preserved in the natural history maseum at Brussels. PRIVATE BILL LEGISLATION.—A return issued on Saturday shows that of 248 bills presented to Parlia* ment this session 32 are at the first reading stage, 20 second reading, 38 report of committee," 43 third reading, and 17 Royal assent. No fewer than 50 bills have from one cause or another been dropped. The 32 bill8 which are at first reading have nearly all passed through the House of Lords, except the Rates and Charges Bill of the nine railway companies. THE PROFITS OF SILVER COINING.—Owing to the continuous fall in the value of silver bullion in the market, relatively to gold, during the last twenty years, the manufacture of silver coins at the Hint continues to be very profitable to the Government. At the average price of last year a pound of silver, though coined into sixty-six shillings, was intrinsically worth only 46s. 6d. Fifteen years ego the difference was only 9 per cent. CHURCH PROPERTY IN NORFOLK.-Some church lands at Northwolds, Norfolk, have just been let by auction, and the result shows conclusive evidence of the agri" •cultural depression existing in the county. One lot of land, which, eight years ago, let for 58s. an acre, knocked down for the next four years at 16s. an acre; and another lot, which before fetched £3 per acre, noW realised only 19s. The gross annual rental for the whole lot amounted to little more than one third of the same for the previous eight years. THE SPANISH NAVY.—For some time past an tion has been proceeding in the Madrid press and tn political circles to remedy the notoriously inefficient condition of the Spanish navy, and a bill has now been laid before Congress embodying these reforms: No special loan will be contracted, as was at first cooted" plated, but it is proposed that the Minister of Martne shall be authorised to dispose of 26,000,000 peseto annually for ten years. The strength of the navY 18 to be augmented by the construction of eight first- class armour-clads, eight cruisers ot the first clasg> seven of the second, and 40 of the third, including In the latter coastguard vessels, 30 gunboats for the colonial service, and 65 torpedo boats. The new vessels are to be of the best construction, both in build and armament, and to exhibit all the modern improve- ments. As far as possible it is proposed to cany out the work in the arsenals of the Peninsula, but con- tracts will also be made with foreign firms, both for building and arming the ships; and power is asked to suspend the law of public tender, or subasta," aS occasion may demand. ATTEMPT To GARROTTE AN M.P.—The Western Mail says that Mr. O. H. James, the junior member for Merthyr, while in London, has been the victim Of a determined attempt at garrotting. It appears tha. Mr. James was returning to his lodgings at the Inns of Court Hotel, through Little Queen-street, when he set upon by some men, who assaulted him, with the apparent intention of committing a robbery. He reo sisted them, and was engaged in a severe struggle when a gentleman approached, and his assailants decamped' leaving him victorious, but suffering from a violent sprain of one of his knees, and he is likely to be tn- valided for some time to come. ARTILLERY RANGEs.-The Secretary of State for the War Department has purchased from the Corporation of Lydd a tract of land to the extent of 407 acres. A- large portion of the land consists of beach. It is stated that the object of the Government in purchasing this extensive tract of land is to enable them the better to carry on artillery experiments at the camp which baj been formed there within the last few years and used by the troops in the South-Eastern District for practical field operations. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE IRISH SOCIETY. The accounts of the Irish Society for the past year have just been prepared. The receipts, including e. balance of £1340, amount to £ 20,313. Of that sum Derry and liberties produce E8376 Ooleraine, £ 2022 > Oulmore Fort, £800; fisheries rent, £ 5161; sale of pro" perty, £1279. The expenditure includes permanent payments, Crown rents, &c., £ 1553; grants to schoolsg t'4016; charitable donations, £844; Corporation ot Londonderry, £ 1200; in aid of public improvements, £4729; pensions, JE132; salaries and gratuities (Ireland), £ 1776; visitation and deputation expenses, £ 806! salaries (England), £ 997; the governor, deputy governor, and assistant governors, for attendance at meetings and administration expenses £471. The amount placed to deposit account at Derry is £ 1279, and the balance is £ 226.—"City Press." FOREIGN LIVE STOCK AND FRESH MEAT.—As was expected, the week's arrivals of live stock and fresh meat at Liverpool from American and Canadian pores were considerably in excess of those oI the preceding week, the total imports amounting to 3415 cattle, 345 sheep, 8104 quarters 0 beef, and 1108 carcases of mutton, whilst the preceding week's importations amounted to 373 cattle, 4998 quarters of beef, and 830 carcases of mutton- The conveying steamers last week were as follows: Venetian, 721 cattle, 1138 quarters of beef, and 158 carcases of mutton; Spain, 350 cattle, 74.0 quarters Of beef, and 150 carcases of mutton Roman. 563 cattle, Borderer, 645 cattle and 345 sheep; Dominion, 4 cattle; Nessmore, 520 cattle; Saturnina, 160 cattle f Wyoming, 1760 quarters of beef, and 400 carcases ot mutton; City of Chester, 920 quarters of beef, and 200 carcases of mutton; Republic, 840 quarters of beef, and 200 carcases of mutton; British Crown, S80 quarters of beef and Catalonia, 1826 quarters of beef. JAPANESE TASTE.-When you enter the guest-room in a mansion of the better class you are at once in- pressed with a subtle elegance and propriety not easily explained. The room may contain but a few simple articles of adornment, and the chief, or only one, w&S be a plant or a bouquet. I was once greatly struck wtt d the unique beauty and effectiveness of a large an stainlessly white blossom of peony, accompanied by a single pearl-toned bud, which was thus made to furnish a drawing-room. The art of arranging flowers b»"> perhaps, somewhat naturally come to occupy. a pro, minent place in Japanese education. Beside the living instructors, cheap work containing lessons in the art are widely circulated. The taste and culture of the householder is brought to a focus at this point. the fertility of invention shown in the adornment ot this simple recess never fails to interest one visitiD| Japanese houses. I have often seen in the place oI honour a bit of oyster-clad rock, or the quarter sturop of a dwarf tree, carved in broad wavy lines by the l»va of a large beetle, or arabesqued with creamy orangeso brisky scarlet lichen and set in deep green many-tinp^ mosses, from the dark velvet of which a spray of tirv fern, or feathery plume of some fair woodland would peep. Then, too, there are often most relations of the flower itself to the form or colour ot' containing vessel; and here the refined 'ns^nc,fe the true artist best display themselves.—Fauld's 4 Years in Nipon.'