The Aberystwith Observer

GOSSIP ON DRESS. As is usual at this season, the leading manu- facturers have introduced a number of fresh materials, more especially in woollen goods. Some of these are old and valued friends under new names, others with more pretensions to novelty, but all reasonable in price, warm, yet light in texture and artistic in colour- ing. Oar own British firms are ably represented in all-wool fabric?, to which they are, and wisely, paying more attention every year, most of their materials being designed in thoroughly good taste. The Eclipse is a very pretty soft checked woollen ma- terial in pretty shades of tan, leaden and other greys, and browns. An all-wool beige—the Invicta by name-is a small check, the fabric remarkably light and soft, and the colouring delightful. For tailor- made gowns the Aldershot" is especially adapted, it being a fine Saxony wool cloth; other makes worth Daming are the "Argyle," the "Malvern," the Adelaide," and the Ascot;" the greys in the last- mentioned are wonderfully soft looking. The British Imperial cashmeres,. Crown cashmeres, and Royal merinos are improvements, as far as regards finish, on these well-known stuffs, the serviceability of which will always keep them well patronised. A new kind of llama just brought out is very light in weight, and, therefore, suitable for tennis players, for whose benefit it has been specially prepared; in it the newest colours are admirably blended, grey and yellow, grey and cream, electric and red, blue and mouse, and indigo blue and mordore. Scouring cloth will be graatly affected, and indeed all loose makes in woollens. # To go further afield, there is drap Bernaise an armure design, with an over-stripe; Drap Fran^aiae, which has a fancy ground, striped all over, stripes still appeariug in many of the new materials. The Carreau cloths, in large checks and taffetas, are more singular and aggressive-looking than beautiful. Hima- layan cashmere promises to be in considerable request as the season advances. In Paris, costumes of this material are already to be seen, and the Roubaix manufacturers have in preparation for early autumn a great variety of designs in short-haired Himalayan wools. A very stylish dress recently sent out is of hand-woven camel's hair, in indigo blue and mordore colouring, the lines of the latter colour being so sub- dued as to be only just apparent. The dress is cut polonaise-fashion, with a blue velvet yoke, a fichu vest, and velvet ouffs. The fiohu is drawn in at the waist by a band of velvet, fastening on one side with handsome clasps and ends, the large sailor collar being held in place at each side by three large buttons on the shoulders, the long full skirt draperies falling over a pet icoat of the same cloth. In richer and more costly materials there are several departures, the ray6 pompadour and the quille pompadours being good specimens of the admixture of chenille and velvet, with wool in the form of stripes on worsted grounds. Velvet checks on twilled grounds are made up with plain stuffs to match, or intermixed with velours Victoria and velours plumetiss, the last, as its name implies, having a feathery appearance, which is moat effective. The rapidly increasing popularity of siik was commented on last month it promises to supersede satin entirely. Some of the Court costumes prepared for the approaching Drawing Rooms in silk and velvet, silk and plush, and all silk are very hand- some. THE brocades are especially magnificent this year; one in a lovely soft shade of grey has an Oriental design outlined in silver thread. Among other pleas- ing novelties is a tulip design in yellow on a cream ground. The moires, too, are beautiful, a striped material; rich white silk and grey moire are unique another having a steel grey ground, with canary grey and pink stripes on it is quaintly pretty. Velvet in the now shade of pink, known as vernis de Japon, has & raised design in pale grey frtsS, lined with grey silk, and worn over a soft grey silk lace-covered petticoat. A splendid Court costume is in magnificent silver brocade, the groundwork of which is Imperial blue and tulle worked in silver, the bodice and long full square-cut train of the brocade further enriched with tufts of silver feathers, and the drapings of tulle, in the case of the petticoat, over a soft white silk founda- tion. A white silk brocade, and a gold brocade trimmed with rich gold embroidery and golden aigrettes, are equally handsome. In lighter materials, suitable for draping the petticoats and bodices, silver and gold-embroidered gauze, tulle interwoven with silver, perle, or sparkling with tiny crystals, jet, or gold beads, are all used; as also white silk gauze, mousseline de soie, crepe de Chine, crepe lisse, tarla- tan, which has been again received into favour after having been for some time banished, and now presents a richer appearance than formerly, being either worked over with pearls, or embroidered in gold, which last is more fashionable than ever in Paris, and ;s seen on mosb decorative materials. On bonnets and hats, gold embroidery, tulle, and gauze are largely employed in trimming, gold butterflies' wings, golden wheat ears, cocks' combs of gold lace and golden in- sertion being also used for this purpose. THE leading Paris couturieres "are making Spring toilettes in the Directoire and Restauration styles, that is with clinging skirts, with little or no drapery, but embroidery and trimmings round the bottom of the skirt, and wide sashes of crepe fringed out at the ends. The following are pretty, simple, and fresh- looking models for making up Spring fabrics from. The first is made in two materials, say a figured cloth and one of a light soft texture. The tightly- fitting habit bodice and petticoat are of the figured cloth, the over drapery, bretelles, and cuffs or the thinner cloth, which is of a darker shade; the skirt is plain in front and rather full behind, the front drapery taking the form of a long square tablier, not joining the back drapery, which is gathered into the waist behind in full pleats, but having a simulated panel of the figured cloth on the left side. The tresses, two on each side, pass over the shoulders and join in points both in front and behind. A second dress is in velvet and plain striped or checked cloth, the tight plain bodice of velvet with revers shaped plastron of the cloth buttoned back with a large velvet button on each side, the cloth being pleated finely in the centre. The overskirt of cloth, is draped with a little fulness in front and turned back with a revers at the bottom, buttoned back, to correspond with the bodice, as far as the side panel, which consists of one large centre pleat of the cloth and two smaller pleats on each side of it the back drapery is caught up in poufs over the velvet skirt. This in plain and fancy cloth would look well, or in the entire dress of one material, the revers being outlined with silk cord, and having ornamental buttons to match. A third model is in Venetian cloth and whip corduroy. Here the drapery is chiefly in front, and caught up at the sides over the petticoat, whica is also of cloth, but has wide panels on each side and at the back of corduroy, the cash- mere falling over it behind in long sash loops and ends; the bodice has two graduated bands of cordu- roy on the left side, with the material of the body showing between them. A neat tight-fitting single- breasted corduroy coat, perfectly plain and devoid of trimming, is worn with this gown, and a hat of the same coloured felt, with plain band or else a toque of the corduroy. SOME of the new Cheviot cloths are pleasingly coloured one in electric grey has just a suspicion of salmon introduced iu very narrow lines. An ulster of quite a new shape is made up in this, and lined throughout with salmon-coloured satin; it has a cape at the back, fastened only at the shoulders and falling epaulette-fashion over the upper portion of the arm; it, too, is lined with salmon, a glimpse of which is caught when tht] arms are raised. This ulster is double-breasted, fastening across the figure with large smoked pearl buttons. A new make of scouring cloth is in serviceable dark colours; a useful long mantle made of it in dark green has a plush plastron, pverwhich the cloth is drawn in graceful folds; it lsescuffe, collar, and waistbelt of plush, and the cloth )s gathered in full pleats behind, which gives it the fuluess necessary. A short coat is made of the same cloth, only in a pretty shade of blown. It has deep cuffs, high collar, and revers faced back with cream- coloured cloth, fastened through with large tortoise- shell buttons. The cuat is single-breasted, fastening in the centre. The felt bat corresponds with the brown cloth in colour, and has loops of cream and brown corded ribbon, with single wing feathers set upright amidst the loops. A finelv-ribbed new black cloth is specially adapted for coat-making. A pretty and well-cut coat madeW it has the collar, cuffs, and diamond-shaped piece let into the front, as well as the epaulettes, embroidered with mohair braid in an effective design. The buttons here used match the braiding. IT is rather too early at present to say decidedly what will be the prevailing colours and fabrics for spring gowns, although we may get a glimpse of the coming season's styles from the shops, now that the Winter sales are all over. Heliotrope and pure white will hold the most prominent place as the spring advances, and fresh tints of green, delicate half-tints of yellow, and soft-tinted greys, are certainly coming in again. Ribbed silks, bengalines, and failles will be covered with small floral designs. Silks and brocades are seen with large floral designs as well as with the small violets, roses, and forget-me-nots. Cashmeres will also have silken designs—pansjes on heliotrope, forget-me-nots on blue, yellow jasmine on yellow, etc. Later on in the spring, soft cloth in light tints will be used for reception gowns. Pale mauve and rose-coloured cloth are new; also new shades of China blue, of Suede reseda sage, and a pale shade of terra-cotta. Speckled woollens resembling tweeds make very pretty tailor-made gowns; those with a navy-blue grouud having tiny white lines and stripes are very effective, made with vests of white drill. Carmelite woollens with large spots are a novelty for morning wear.—Ladies' Gazette oj Fashion.

EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY. On Monday afternoon, in the City of London Court, Mr. Commissioner Kerr tried an action under the Employers' Liability Act, in which the plaintiff was John Gardner, navvy, living at Nunhead, who sought to recover from the defendant, Mr. Edmund Gabbutt, contractor, 3, Adelaide-place, London-bridge, the sum of X300 damages for personal injuries sus- tained through the negligence of one of the defen- dant's servants. The plaintiff was engaged at certain subway works near London-bridge, when, owing, it was alleged, to some mistake, he was suddenly over- thrown by the handle of a winch, had his leg broken in two places, several ribs broken, and his head cut. He was in the hospital for many weeks in a dangerous condition. After the caee had proceeded for some time. it was agreed to enter a verdict for the] plaintiff for £100.

A MIDLAND LIBEL CASE. At Birmingham Assizes on Saturday, before Mr. Justice Grantham, was tried the case of Riordan v. Curtis." Mr. Dugdale, Q.C., and Mr. Hugo Young were for the plaintiff; Mr. Jelf, Q.C., and Mr. W. Graham were for the defendants. This was an action for libel. The plaintiff described himself as an agent for exhibitors at international and local ex- hibitions," and in this capacity he wrote letters to intending exhibitors proposing to represent them be- fore the jurors at the Liverpool Exhibition, offering to quote fees contingent on results, and requesting an early answer, as he only represented one exhibit in each class. In other letters he stated that his hono- rarium for a gold medal was 20, and for a silver medal ten guineas. If no medal was awarded no charge was to made. He wound up by saying, "I shall be glad to know the names of a couple of gen- tlemen whom you can rely on as being competent to act on the juries, as I may be able to get them invited." The defendants were the publisher, the proprietor, and the editor of a • paper called Investments, and they published in their paper copies of these letters, together with some comments of a severe character. They pointed out that the plaintiff claimed to possess influence in the distribution of awards which no one ought to possess, and expressed a willingness to use it for a pecuniary consideration, and was also prepared to pack the juries in the interest of his clients, and they said that such thinga were a system of roguery, and if allowed all confidence in the fairness of the awards must be destroyed. For these observations they claimed privilege as fair comments on a matter of public interest. It was left to the jury to say whether the incriminated articles were fair comments, and the learned judge asked the jury whether the plaintiff's own letter justified a general imputation of roguery. No doubt those letters in some degree required ex- planation. It was for the jury to say whether care had been taken to obtain such explanation, or whether the defendants had not rather acted on mere rumour and gossip. A verdict for the plaintiff was returned with X400 damages.

THE ELIZA ARMSTRONG CASE. The actions E. Armstrong and another v. Thomp- son and another, Same v. Stead, consolidated; Arm- strong and another v. Thompson and another, Arm- strong and wife v. Stead, consolidated; and Arm- strong v. Booth, which stood in the paper for trial before Mr. Justice Hawkins and common juries in the Queen's Bench Division on the 4th inst., were understood to arise out of the Eliza Armstrong pro- ceedings. Mr. Kemp, Q.C., Mr. Crispe, and Mr. G. understood to arise out of the Eliza Armstrong pro- ceedings. Mr. Kemp, Q.C., Mr. Crispe, and Mr. G. W. Ellis were for the plaintiffs; Sir Charles Russell, Q.C., and Mr. Lewis Coward for the defendants Thompson and Stead; and Mr. Finlay, Q.C., and Mr. Horne Payne, Q.C., and Mr. Vaughan Williams for Booth. Shortly before the rising of the court, Mr. Crispe asked to be allowed to interrupt the pro- ceedings for a moment in order to re ieve the list of certain cases. In the action against Mr. Thompson and Mr. Stead an arrangement had been come to between the parties. Mr. Justice Hawkins: What is to become of the other case, Armstrong v. Booth ? Mr. Crispe: In that case there will be stet processus. Mr. Lewis Coward said he ippeared with Sir Charles Russell in the first four cases, and he assented to the arrangement. Mr. Horne Payne: I suppose my learned friend wants to withdraw the records ? Mr. Crispe said he proposed to do so. Mr. Justice Hawkins You withdraw the records in all the cases, and so we get rid of them. The records were accord- ingly withdrawn and the matter terminated.

AN AWKWARD INTERRUPTION. An accurate, exhaustive, and interesting biographi- cal sketch of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal, written by Mr. William Archer, in this month's Longman's Magazine, lets the curious into a secret that few ladies care to divulge and fewer historians are rash enough to print. On the evident authority, however, of Mrs. Kendal herself we now learn that this clever lady was born in Great Grimsby on the 15th March, 1849, exactly 20 years after her eldst brother, Thomas W. Robertson, the dramatist. Little Madge Robertson's first ap- pearance on any stage was at the Marylebone Theatre, m 1853, as the child to Wallack's Stranger." On that occasion the only words she spoke were im- promptu, and addressed to a favourite nurse she dis- covered in the audience, Oh, nursey Look at my new shoes The melancholy nobleman of Kotzebue looked aghast at the interruption and infantile ebulli- tion of female pride.

ONE of her friends, not verf well off in a worldly way. had brought her a simple but pretty gift on her birthday. It's only a trifle, the friend began, when Miss Volatile interrupted her with, Oh, no apologies, I beg. I shall value it just as much as the presents I have received, which are really worth something.

THE ARMY. Mr. E. Stanhope, Secretary of State for War, issued on Tuesday a memorandum relating to the Army Estimates for 1887-8, the full text of which occupied five columns of the Times of Wednesday. The memorandum, the first of its kind, is issued in accord- ance with Lord Randolph Churchill's suggestion, made on the first night of the session, and it is in- tended to obviate a long explanation from the War Secretary on introducing the estimates. In his opening remarks Mr. Stanhope says: The estimates for 1886-7 showed an anticipated expendi- ture of £15,156,900 for effective, and £3,076,300 for non-effective services, making a total of £ 18,233,200. But in introducing them to the House the Secretary of State (Mr. Campbell-Bannerman) explained that, unless the army in Egypt could be reduced in 1886-7 to 8000 men, it would be necessary to ask for a supple- mentary vote. This army was, in fact, maintained for some months at a force considerably above this strength, and accordingly supplementary estimates have become necessary. Their total amount is JE459,000, of which nearly £200,000 is due to the increased demands of the navy, and the greater part of the remainder to Egypt. The estimates which are now submitted to Parliament show an expenditure of £ 18.393,900 of which £15,305,700 is for effective and £3,088,200 for non-effective services. It will thus be seen that, as compared with last year's original estimates, the amount now required for the service of the army shows an increase of £ 160,700. But this does not represent the true state of the case. As the House is aware, the War Office supplies the armaments and warlike stores, of the navy, and the cost is borne by the Army Estimates. For 1887-8 the Army Estimates have to provide for an increase on account of the armaments of the navy of £ 292,000 on the previous year, Nor is that all. Certain other increases in charge are altogether beyond the control of the Secretary of State, and may be summarised as follows:—(1) Indian contri- bution to Vote 1 (the additional strength of the Indian army having been nearly provided in the current year) is reduced by £ 100,000; (2) Lgap-year causes an additional expense over all votes of £ 30,000; (3) deferred pay has increased by £ 20,000; (4) retired pay by £ 45,000; (5) the Army Reserve, by the increase of numbers requires in addition £ 25,000—total, £ 220,000. These two sums, amount- ing altogether to no less than £512,000, show that, instead of an increase, the present estimates show a reduction of expenditure, even without taking into account the supplementary votes for 1886-7. In- creases have also been caused by the rise in the estab- lishments, by the new grants to the Volunteer ser- vice, and especially by the demands for armaments and military stores. On the other hand, large savings have been accomplished by the withdrawal of half the British forces from Egypt, the effect of which is mainly to be traced in the vote for supplies and transport. The vote for the non-effective services, with the exception of the large automatic increase in the item of retired pay (which will be to some extent checked by the new Royal warrant), shows on all points a diminution of charge. A small reduc- tion ba3 also been effected in the vote for military education. The general improvement in the educa- tion of the country will soon tell upon the special charges necessary for this purpose in the army, and by greater recourse to civil schools, and the reduction in the establishment of army schoolmasters, I hope that in future years greater economies can be effected on this head. Some steps have also been taken by my predecessor, after very careful examination, for the reduction of the general staff, and of certain perma- nent appointments. Leaving these details, I may say generally that without pretending to have been able, within the limited time at my disposal, to scrutinise personally all parts of these estimates, the vote for armaments has undergone a renewed examination'; and I have satisfied myself that, looking to all the circumstances of the present time, the estimate pre- pared by my predecessor represented only the neces- sary demand for this service which any Secretary of State would be bound to make." Dealing with the heads of army expenditure, according to the estimates for 1886-7, Mr. Stanhope supplies tables which he says shows pretty clearly that, assuming the maintenance of the existing estab- lishment of the army on the present scale, any sub- stantial reduction of expenditure must be effected either in the cost of administration or in the charges for works, armaments, and stores. It is sufficiently notorious that reductions of army expenditure, while maintaining our existing establishment, have largely been effected in past years by drawing upon our re- serve of stores. There have been occasions when considerations of economy have reduced this to a dangerously small amount; but indiscriminate re- ductions effected for such an object are neither safe nor altogether honest, and I hope that the time may soon come when the necessary reserve of stores will be authoritatively fixed in all branches and rigidly maintained in all circumstances. The estimate for the supply, manufacture, and repair of warlike stores -that is, for the manufacturing departments of the army-amounts next year to £ 2,943,500. Of this .£1,707,000 is required for navy armaments. The system under which the army votes at present bear the charge for naval armaments has the effect of pre- venting the true charge for the respective services from being understood by the public, but it is in- tended next year to make arrangements for separat- ing this expenditure.

THE DUKE OF ARGYLL AND DIS- ESTABLISHMENT. The Duke of Argyll has addressed the following letter to a gentleman in North Wales with reference to the question of the disestablishment of the Welsh Church:—" Inverary, March 2, 1887.-Sir.-I was a party to the disestablishmont of the Irish Church, thinking that the special circumstances of Ireland justified and even demanded the measure. None of those special circumstances apply either to Scotland or to any part of England and Wales, and so far as strength of numbers is concerned, the recent volun- teer census of religious membership in Wales seems to have exhibited a very unexpected result in favour of the Establishment. Apart from any special circum- stances such as existed in Ireland, and which are almost wholly reversed in all parts of Britain, I am opposed to disestablishment for many reasons. Some of these have lately been set forth with great force by Lord Selborne in a work which I would recommend to all.-Your obedient servant, ARGYLL."

DARING DAYLIGHT OUTRAGE IN LONDON. The wife of Mr. Russell Roberts, a barrister, resi- ding at 35, Lexham-gardens, was robbed in broad day- light in Westbourne-terrace, the other afternoon. Mrs. Roberts was walking alone, carrying in her hand a purse containing a considerable amount of money and a card case, when she was suddenly attacked by two men. She was seized by her wrists and thrown vio- lently against the wall, and then on the ground, while the men tried to unclasp her hands. With great de- termination she continued her resistance, screaming meanwhile for help; and finally, seeing that she could not retain both purse and card-case, released her hold of the case. The robbers then ran away towards Bishop's-road, Mrs. Roberts following them, calling Police! and Thieves but no policeman was to be seen, and the passers-by did not attempt to stop the thieves, who made good their escape, leaving Mrs. Roberts faint and exhausted from her struggles to re- tain her property in daylight in one of the most fashionable and frequented thoroughfares in London.

THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS AND FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. On Saturday the Lord Chancellor delivered judg- ment on the petitions of the trustees of Archbishop Holgate's School, at Hemsworth, Yorkshire, against a scheme of the Charity Commissioners relating to that foundation and other charities. Mr. Charles, Q.C., Mr. Jeune, and Mr. C. A. Cripps appeared for the petitioners; and Sir Horace Davey and Mr. Vaughan Hawkins for the Charity Commissioners. The Lord Chancellor said the appeal was under the provisions of the Endowed Schools Act of 1869, against the scheme framed by the Charity Commis- sioners, and approved by the Education Department. There were several objections as to the revival of the scheme, &c., but the strong point of contention was as to the meaning to be attached to the words which entitled the beneficiaries to the privileges of the school, They were the children of poor men, being husbandmen or men of occupations, all living in six Yorkshire parishes named. The trustees contended that these words meant the children of the middle class, arguing that at the time of the foundation the classics taught at the school could not have been of use to the labouring class. Their lordships, however, were of opinion that, looking at the Endowed Schools Act and the policy of Parliament in the matter, the Charity Commissioners were quite right in providing elementary education in the way they had done. They therefore dismissed the petition.

THE PREMIER ON THE IRISH QUESTION, The inaugural dinner of the National Conservative Club, Pall Mall, London, was held at Willie's Rooms on Saturday night, when the Duke of Abercorn pre- sided. He was supported by the Marquis of Salis- bury, the Lord Chancellor, Mr. Raikes (Postmaster- General), the Marquis of Lothian, Earl Cadogan, Lord Brabourne, the Attorney-General (Sir R. Webster, Q.C.), Lieutenant-Goneral Sir F. W. Fitz- Wygram, M.P., Lord Colville of Culross, Colonel Hughes-Hallett, M.P., Sir James McGaiel Hogg, M.P., E. S. Norris, M.P., &c. Lord Salisbury, on rising to reply to the toast of her Majesty's Ministers, proposed by the Chairman, was loudly cheered. His lordship said he gratefully accepted the first greetings of that new Conservative Society, of which he hoped that that beginning would be the emblem and sign of its future strength. The Duke of Abercorn bad said very justly their position was not a bed of roses. He had referred briefly to foreign affairs, and dark and gloomy as bad been the pro- spect of affairs abroad, the change, so far as there had been a change--was uniformly in the right direction. He did not affect to depreciate the importance of the questions by which nations were still divided, or the sinister impoit of those vast armaments which they rivalled each other in produc- ing, but in spite of those ominous symptoms it seemed to him that the cause of peace was constantly grow- ing, and the prospects of peace more brilliant than they were some few weeks ago. (Cheers.) For them, however, tbelpolities of the moment were summarised in the name of Ireland—(hear, hear)—and in this con- nection he could not forget that to-day they had parted from one of the ablest, moat loyal, wisest and most resolute of colleagues. He possessed all the qualities necessary for solving the problems that had beset statesmen for so many generations. His singular fertility of resource, firmness, and resolution, which never degenerated into partisanship; his judg- ment and resolute loyalty, his wide knowledge of the subject with which he had to deal — all fitted him singularly for the post which he occupied. He had gone from the Ministry, not through any dif- ference of opinion for there never was a minister who inspired greater trust, his physical capacity had been reduced by the zeal and courage which he had de- voted to the service of the country. (Cheers.) No greater disaster could have happened to the Govern- ment-that was a small matter-but it was a great disaster to the country, but he (Lord Salisbury) hoped that it would only be a temporary disaster, and that in the early future he might again work with him in the cause they loved so well. (Hear, hear.) The Irish question, as they looked at it, seemed to them like an evil dream. It was one of those nightmares where a danger or a horror pressed upon one, and one felt that he ought to be able to dissipate it, but there was something that fettered the limbs and paralysed the energiep. He could easily imagine that many I would say that such an observation did not become his mouth, and that it was the business of the Ministers of the Crown to dissipate that horror. In the old days, when there was a famine in Turkey, they flung the Grand V izier's head into the street. (Laughter.) In the present critical state of affairs, which were disgraceful to law and disgraceful to the constitution, some impatience towards Ministers of the Crown must be expected. But they must re- member that they were ministers not of a despotic but of a constitutional State. They were bound to walk strictly within the limits of the law, and if that law was not suitable to the circumstances of the case they were not the authority by which it could be altered. In Ireland the machinery of social govern- ment had broken down in one essential point. The great object of society was that wrongs should be re- dressed and crimes punished. But that could only be done by the actions of the courts of law and the action of the courts of law in Ireland had broken down because Irish jurymen, or a sufficient number of them, did not sympathise with the law, and would not give their aid in carrying it out. Trial by jury had broken down in Ireland. The whole machine worked well ex- cept one essential wheel. That wheel refused to move, and before society could be restored to its healthy condition that wheel must either be refitted or dispensed with. (Loud cheers.) But then they would say here was a case for alteration, and why was the alteration not made ? Attention had been called to the disgraceful scones enacted nightly in the neighbourhood of Westminster Hall. They knew that the machinery for legislation was impeded by an obatacle which their fathers knew not, and if it had existed earlier, assuredly Parliament would never have acquired the reputation it had obtained in the world. If obstruction merely hindered legislation it might be borne, but the essential powers of the exe- cutive government by which society was kept together were placed in danger, and until the House of Com- mons had devised measures to meet the new dangers it was impossible to restore the efficiency of the social machine now arrested in Ireland, or give back that confidence without which industry could not act. He was not using the language of despair or helplessness. It appeared to him that in this country were smitten with the terror of an inevitable fate, which it was useless to resist, and that. they must bow to the in- evitable. That was a belief by which nations were undone. Evil was never inevitable if we had the courage to struggle against it. The feeling arose I from an idea that it was the principle of nationality that was being resisted, and that this principle had achieved many triumphs during the present century. But even if it were a question of nationality he would say the duty of this country was not altered. We had to provide for our own security. We could not plant a hostile community on our flank. But he denied that the principle of nationality had anything to do with it. When addressing educated audiences in this country the Irish leaders used the jargon of nationality and nations struggling to be free. In Ireland, amongst their own people, however, they appealed to motives far more common and less heroic. To teach the debtor how he shtill not pay his credItors-tbat was their heroic gospel. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Looking abroad to those people who had achieved their liberty during recent years, they found their strength ex- pressIon of sentiments of nationality, they would find that in Poland, Greece, Italy, and the Tyrol contend- ing against the French, and in Belgium or any other country that had achieved its liberty and showed the qualities necessary to enable a nation to go alone. They had never dealt in a wholesale system of frauda- lent bankruptcy. They would have despised such aids, and they would never have acted in a manner inconsistent with the most rudimentary morality, and which was a danger to civilisation, and under which industry and prosperity would be parched and shrivelled away. He did not deny the existence of great evils, though he would not undertake to say how far the law, or changes in the law, were capable of remedying them. He believed the remedial measures of a very far-reaching tendency were strongly called for by the conditions of things. (Cheers.) But the first thing was to restore respect for the law. The law must be master, or no remedial measure would be regarded legislative reliefs, instead of tending to quiet, would only aggravate the disorder, so long as it was believed that they bad been extorted by agitation-(hear, hear)--so long as it was believed that more measures of the same kind could be wrung from the .Legislature of the country. They were en- gaged upon a struggle, on the issue of which would depend whether their existence as a great Empire was to continue or no-(hear, hear)—and they must address themselves to the conflict. Their national fault was that too much softness had crept into their councils. They imagined that great national dangers could be conjured by a plentiful administration of platitudes and rose-water. (Laughter.) The age was not an age for such soft sentiment as that. A stern duty would be imposed upon the men, whoever they were, who had to rule in the times that came before them; and that duty they would not escape except under pain of betraying the most sacred trusts that could be reposed in them. (Cheers.) If they would bring to that duty the patience and tenacity which were characteristic of the English character, they would succeed in restoring to their sister country the prosperity which had long been a stranger to her. (Loud cheers.)

OPERATORS in wool—Moths. WHY may a baby be said to be older than its own parent?—Because "the child is father to the man." THERE was one woman in the theatre the other night who did not wear any hat. She bad on an enormous hat when the performance began, which prevented the gentleman behind her from seeing what was being played on the stage. He leaned over and said, Miss, will you be kind enough to remove your hat, as I can't see the stage ?-No, sir, I prefer to keep on my hat, she replied with dignity.—It is a pity that you should keep your hat on, he said, as it prevents the people behind from admiring your beautiful hair.-There was one woman in the theatre who didn't wear any hat after that little conversation.

A TROOPSHIP SUNK: 100 LIVES LOST. Details were received on Wednesday of the founder- ing of the Chinese troopship Wan Nien Chang after a collision off Tungsa Island with the Peninsular and Oriental Company s steamship Nepaul. The latter was keeping a good look out, her captain being on deck in consequence of a heavy fog. There was sud- denly a tremendous crash. The Nepaul's engines were at once reversed, but it was too late, and a few minutes later scores of Englishmen and Chinese were scrambling aboard the steamship. The Nepaul's boats were lowered as the two vessels became un- locked, and the work of rescue was promptly carried on. The Chinaman's boats were also lowered, but the soldiers jumped into them in such numbers .they The shrieks and groans of those who were being washed away by the waves were loud and terrible. The panic created on board the Wan Nien Chang was uncontrollable. The men who had witnessed the capsizing of the boats gathered on the deck of their foundering vessel and refused to leave her. The Nepaul's crew, however, gallantly boarded their ship and pushed them into their boats, all paralysed with fear or benumbed with cold. In 40 minutes all that was visible of the Wan Nien Chang were her masts, and these were clustered with Chinamen, screaming piteously as they settled down with the ship. In all some 300 persons were rescued, but many who were taken on board the Nepaul were either dead or dying, and her decks pre- sented a terrible sight. More than 100 lives were lost. The survivors were treated with the utmost care and hospitality.

A FORGOTTEN MURDER. At Bow-street, on Wednesday morning, before Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Churchley, solicitor, applied for sum- monses against several persons on a charge of perjury and conspiracy arising out of money and other pro- perty lefc by Mrs. O'Connor, widow of the man mur- dered by Mr. and Mrs. Manning, who were executed for the crime about forty years ago. The application was made on behalf of the daughter of the deceased woman and the murdered man, by the administra- tors of the late Ann O'Connor, who died in November last. An inquest was held on the deceased, because there were rumours of her having died from want, she having been in receipt of parish relief at the time of her death. Tho allegation of perjury was based on the evidence given by certain witnesses before the coroner, who said the deceased was destitute, but who subsequently, under pressure, gave up to the administrators deposit notes for £270, relating to money lodged in a London bank. Since then it had been ascertained that the persons against whom he asked for the summons for con- spiracy had been seen with X20 in money on the day of the death of Mrs. O'Connor, which belonged to her. He bad a witness who would swear to having seen them with this money. There were besides what had been given up, certificates and family documents which his clients wanted, but which the people against whom he applied had not yet given up. All the evidence on which they rested for the charge of perjury was given at the inquest. Mr. Vaughan: How was it that the evidence came to be given at the inquest ? The matter could not have arisen there, as it had nothing to do with the cause of death. Mr. Churchley said the question was as to the desti- tution of deceased, and whether she had money neces- sary to supply herself with proper nourishment. Mr. Vaughan taid the question as to whether the deceased was or was not possessed of independent pro- perty was not a question which could be entertained by the coroner. Mr. Churchley then observed that he would take the summonses for conspiracy. They stated that there was no property, and at that time they had the JE20 in their possession. Mr. Vaughan: When was administration taken out? Mr. Chnrchley On February 1. Mr. Vaughan: When were tho deposit notes handed over ? Mr. Churchley: Over a week. Mr. Vaughan: If administration was only taken out in February there could not have been any title until then. Mr. Cburchloy No, sir. Mr. Vaughan: I don't feel disposed to grant sum- monses yet. If you will look into the facts and satisfy me with regard to. your opening statement that there was a conspiracy, and property which they ought to have given up, but did not do so after the appointment of the administrator, then I will grant you summonses.

MR: CHAMBERLAIN AND THE UNIONISTS. The Press Association furnishes the following summary of Mr. Chamberlain's remarks at the Liberal Unionist conversazione on Tuesday night: The right hon. gentleman, in a speech of ten minutes duration, referred to the improved relations existing between the two sections of the Liberal Party, but contended that such incidents as the recent Election at Burnley, and Sir George Trevelyan's speech at the Devonshire Club last Wednesday, would do more than anything else to increase the difficulty of an early reconcilia- tion. The effect of such incidents was to raise the hopes of the Gladstonion Liberals much higher than there was any ground for. He hinted at indiscretion on the part of Sir George Trevelyan, and said he (the speaker) thought the Gladstonian Liberals would find that they had made a mistake in throwing up their hats before they were out. of the wood. The right hon. gentle- man then proceeded to recapitulate the points in which no surrender was possible on the part of the Liberal Unionists. He had no intention of giving way an inch in his demand that the Imperial Parliament should retain its supremacy, with representatives from every section. of the United Kingdom within its walls. No scheme for dealing with the question of Irish Govern- ment would be satisfactory which did not make it clear that the central authority proposed to be estab- lished in Dublin should be subordinate to the Imperial Parliament, and not co-ordinate with it. He would insist, moreover, that such powers as were intended to be given to the Dublin body should be delegated and clearly defined, the principle of simply reserving certain subjects for the consideration of the Imperial Parliament being inadmissible. Another vital point was the maintenance of law and order, the responsi. bility for which must continue in the hands of the Imperial Parliament. He would never consent to the handing over of the Protestant counties of Ireland to a Dub in Parliament against the will of the inhabitants. On these points he was determined net to yield. He added that there seemed to be every disposition on the part of the Gladstonian Liberal leaders to treat these matters as open questions. Adverting to the Irish land question, he dwelt strongly on the fact that the Gladstonian Liberals had absolutely surrendered the bill of last year. There were minor details which would of course be under discussion, but this was a very important decision; and he congratulated the Unionists upon having saved the country from a bill which even by now, had it passed, would have brought disaster. He spoke in terms of cordial approval of the objects of the newly-founded Liberal Union, and congratulated the members upon being in such good fighting trim. They still had the fort to hold, and they were not so foolish, while negotiations were going on, to stack their arms, while the enemy re- mained drawn up with their fingers on the triggers of their rifles.

THE LAW OF LIBEL. A conference of newspaper proprietors and others engaged in newspaper management was held at ths Salisbury Hotel, London, on Wednesday, to consider the condition of the Libel Laws as affecting the news- paper press. Sir Algernon Borthwick, M.P., who pre- sided, whilst admitting that the Press should be re strained within proper limits, contended that the existing laws weighed unduly and severely upon the great organs of public opinion. He urged that con- siderable modification in the Libel Laws was neces- sary. Various suggestions for amending the existing provisions of the law which were held to be unjust and oppressive in their operation were discussed, and resolutions were unanimously passed for the guidance of a committee which was appointed to formulate a scheme of reform. The names of the gentlemen elected as the committee were: Sir Algernon Borth- wick, M.P., Mr. E. Lloyd, Mr. J. R. Robinson, Mr. J. M. Le Sage, Mr. Joseph Soames, Mr. Walter Wood, Mr. J. Passmore-Edwards, Mr. J. Moore, Mr. F. R. Spark, Mr. P. Stewart Macliver, Mr. John Lovell, Mr. George Harper, Mr. J. Glover, and Mr. R. E. Leader. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding.

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