The Aberystwith Observer

TRIAL OF THE HANSARD DIRECTORS. The proceedings in the Hansard case on Feb. 13 appeared to be the beginning of the end. No evidence was taken the day was consumed by counsel's argu- ments for the defence. Mr. Temple Franks, speak- ing in the absence of Sir E. Clarke for Sir Henry Isaacs, submitted that there was no evidence to support six of the counts in the indictment, which charged that, in contravention of the 81st section of the Larceny Act, Mr. Bottomley and, Sir H. Isaacs had applied to their own use JE40,000 as the profit they had made on the sale to the company of the Cullompton Mill and the works at Redhill. The same objection occurred to the list of counts which charged that a profit of £70,000 also had been misappropriated by the defendants. Mr. Cock, on the part of Mr. Joseph Isaacs, also objected that these counts charged his client with having aided and abetted the two other defendants in what they had done. Mr. Bottomley, speaking for himself, said that the counts 13 to 21 charged him with having fraudulently received £70,000 of the company's property in breach of the Larceny Act, and he submitted that there was no evidence at all to show that he had re- ceived any such sum as director or manager of the company, which was the offence contemplated by the statute. But the Attorney-General had a good answer for all. He referred his lordship to a number of statutes and decided cases, and submitted that all the counts were good. One principal question, he said, was whether the statements made by the defendants in the course of examination in the winding-up pro- ceedings could be used against them in support of the present indictment; and he submitted that upon the true construction of the statutes they could, Further, he submitted that examinations in the course of winding-up were not within the proteetion afforded by the statute, that the protection was limited to certain proceedings to be taken by parties aggrieved, and, further, that in this case there had been no such disclosure at all as was contemplated by the statute when protection was given. Eventually the hearing was again adjourned.

HARNESS CUTTING AT ALDERSHOT. An Aldershot correspondent reports that a quan tity of harness gear, belonging to the G Battery Royal Horse Artillery, commanded by Major Hunt, was wilfully cut during Sunday night. The battery has hitherto been regarded as an exemplary one, and the cutting has created considerable surprise and indigna- tion. A court-martial was held on Monday, as a result of which some six or eight men have been con- fined to the guard-room pending further inquiries. The act is attributed rather to wanton mischief than to any insubordinate feeling.

THE LIBERATOR PROSECUTION. At Bow-street, on the 13th inst., Henry Granville Wright, James William Hobbs, and George Newman were charged on remand with various frauds in con- nection with the Liberator Building Society. Mr. Horace Avory (instructed by Mr. Sims, of the Treasury) prosecuted Mr. Kemp, Q.C., defended Hobbs; Mr. Bedkin appeared for Newman, and Mr. Wontner for Wright. The whole of the day was occupied in hearing evidence, more or less formal, as to the purchase of the Norbnry estate. It was alleged that Wright and Hobbs agreed to buy the estate from a man named Cole, who had acquired it some time previously, but had never paid the purchase money, £38,000, and falsely repre- sented to the Lands Allotment Company, who were financing the transaction, that E43,000 was the price given. John Stent, surveyor and land agent, 20, Bucklersbury, stated that in 1882 or the beginning of 1883 he had the Norbury estate entered in his books, and told Hobbs that the lowest price at which it could be bad was £ 38,500. He and Hobbs agreed that if they could obtain for the estate anything over that amount it should be divided between them. In 1884 Hobbs told him he was then in a position to buy, and referred him to Wright, saying that the latter would arrange everything. The witness saw Wrieht, and told him that Cole was willing to M-H for £ 35,000. Cole had so instructed him. and given );n a commission note for E200. When he t< id Wrk -.e replied, "We can manage thth; we have g. msfc £ "000 in hand." £ 30,000 wa: ron, t%iii at m "ag. Cole paid the witness the in b; £i: a?h aod a bill f- £ 100, which he ^Jrne1 imroeri Is- <* wanted ft ltt «x.«r oenc. Ot;,e-r prove*. ifcat the Lands /Visomer.1 Conipv.y had advanced ?ni)ne7 on the Nor*- ry -ostr/o af i per cont with £ 3C^ N»nti». T was iuontio-od in the minute pure fit? rice w.ii £ 43,000. On the 31st of, January it f i. igreed to add £ ."90 *o the advance for solicitor's coacs, but as a matter t fact no such ccn* had been incurred. Several witnesses having given evidence tracing various payments connected with the pi "chase cf the estate, Mr. Avory stated that he had no od:<,r testi- mony to adduce with regard to the charged -ready,, made. At the next bearing he would be able to say whether any further charges would be brought aga n=f the defendants. The hearing was then further adjourned.

IN A PARIS POLICE CELL. TWO ENGLISIB!EN'S EXPERIENCES. Mr. Alfred Woods, manager of the machine department of the Queen, the Field, and the Law Times newspapers, has addressed a long letter to the Home Secretary, setting forth the extraordinary treatment he and his brother-in-law, Sergeant Ratcliffe, Metropolitan Commissioner's Office, New Scotland-yard, were subjected to by the Paris police on the 28th and 29th ult. Mr. Woods had to visit Paris to examine a new printing machine, and Sergeant Ratcliffe obtained leave of absence to accom- pany him. They arrived in Paris shortly before six o'clock on the evening of the 28th January, and having engaged rooms at the Hotel Richepanse took a cab to the Casino de Paris, where they intended to get something to eat and afterwards to witness the performance. At the Casino door they got into a dispute with a cabman, and in the result all proceeded to a police station. Neither Mr. Woods nor Ser- geant Katcliffe could speak French, and there was no one at the station who c)uld speak English. At length to avoid trouble the Englishmen gave the cab- man two francs additional, although they had more than paid his fare, and then naturally expected to be allowed to leave the station. But by direction of the Secretary to the Commissary of Police they were seized by a number of constables. Their watches, money, rings, papers, even their pocket- handkerchiefs were taken away, and their neckties and braces dragged off, and then, nearly stripped, they were put into a dirty police cell, in the corner of which was a w.c., and then locked in. This was at seven o'clock in the evening. Between half-past eight and nine they were taken out and examined, through a female interpreter, as to their business, &c., in Paris. Their answers having been taken down in writing they tried through the interpreter to in- duce the seoretary to examine their papers and communicate with their hotel, but all without avail. They were again seized and roughly hustled downstairs and thrust into the cell again, Sergeant Ratcliffe's hands bleeding and his clothes being torn. In the result they were liberated shortly after nine o'clock the next morning, having been in custodv 14* hours, 12 of which were parsed in the small celf. Both gentlemen were subsequently treated with the greatest kindness by the Prefect of Police, M. Loze, and M. Goron, Chief of the Detective Department, who promised that the offenders should be punished. Mr. Woods thinks it his duty, how- ever, to bring the case under the notice of the Home Secretary, in order, if possible, that other English- men visiting Paris may be saved from similar mal- treatment. The papers seized from both gentlemen afforded the amplest evidence of identification.

REBELLIOUS TRIBES IN MOROCCO. A telegram received at Madrid from Tangier reports that during an engagement between the troops and the rebellious Giata tribe Muley Homam, a son of the Sultan, was wounded. The Zemo tribe recently surprised the camp of Sid Hosain Amarant, uncle of the Sultan. The troops fled to Mequinez, and Sid Hosain was himself slain in the rout. The despatch adds that the Sultan is col- lecting a strong army to avenge the death of his uncle and the wounding of his son. During the absence of the Sultan on his punitive expedition his eldest son Muley Adhelais will remain in charge of the Government at Fez. Great discontent prevails among the tribes owing to the exaction of tributes.

FURTHER earthquake shocks are reported from Zante. Most of the inhabitants are homeless, and further help is urgently reeded.

THE TEACHING OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE. DEPUTATION TO MR. ACLAND. A deputation representing the National Union of Teachers, the Society for Utilising the Welsh Language in Elementary Schools and others, waited on the Right Hon. A. H. Dyke Acland, M.P., at the Education Department on Saturday, in support of a memorial in favour of the teaching of Welsh in all educational schools in Wales. The deputation urged:—(1) The use of bi-lingual reading books throughout the school course, from the lowest infant class to the highest standards. (2) The teaching of English in association with Welsh. (3) The substitution of a graduated scheme of translation from Welsh to English and vice versa for the require- ments of English grammar and composition, which do not easily apply to the circumstances ot Welsh schools. (4) The use of Welsh as an educational instrument throughout the whole course by systematic resort to translation and comparison of terms and idioms occurring in the two languages, and systematic em- ployment of explanations and questioning in Welsh upon lessons learned in English and (5) the devotion of special attention to the geography, history, and literature of Wales, and to the subject of Welsh industries. THE EDUCATION MINISTER REPLYING TO THE DEPUTATION. Mr. Acland, in reply, said that from his own ex- perience he had seen how important it was that those who took part in public works in Wales should be, as far as possible, well acquainted with its language. He had also realised that to cut off any intelligent Welshman from the facility of reading the great masterpieces of English literature was a great disad- vantage. Nobody who knew Wales could be so foolish as to suppose that its language was going out of use—at any rate for the present. In the Welsh homes they had the Welsh and not the English Bibles; in the homes of ministers and a few others there was the English Bible in about the same pro- portion as the Greek Testament was in the homes of English ministers; but so far as one could see for L generations to come the language used in the chapels and churches in the Welsh-apeak- ing districts would be Welsh. He believed that in the main the Department he repre- sented would be willing to meet the wishes of the deputation. (Cheers.) It was a very great pleasure in these days of deputations to be able to concede almost everything asked for. He assured the members that the Education Department took great interest in the development of Welsh education, and concluded by wishing the deputation success in their effoits,

A RETIRING AMBASSADOR. M. WADDINGTON ON HIS DEPARTURE. At the 25th annual dinner in aid of the funds of the French Hospital and Dispensary in London, M. Waddington, the French Ambassador, presided. The hospital is now well established in its new premises in Shaftesbury-avenue, and does not limit its work to sick and ailing French men and women only, but aids I all classes of foreigners. M. Waddington, whose health, with feeling refe- rences to his approaching retirement, had been pro- posed by the Lord Mayor of London, was much I affected at the heartiness of the greeting, and said he ) felt it d; dicult to adequately express his high apprecia- £ ion of ic He had been Ambassador to the Court of St" Jatneo for 10 years, and during that time it had ,t-en hie g) d fortune to enjoy the confidence of the Frtnch cc .o»;; and the friendship of many members of the English community. It was not without a pang, | tiicTi/fore. that h* had come to tbe decision, after so long -c^d L i; Hsant a stay in this country, to go back j- tf> France. Ha felt, too, that he owed it to all con- ^fer»*d t..1, say that his retirement was a voluntary one ) on tis pat.t. He had never had a natural bent for diplomacy, Litid had only been brought to assume the du'v .?* AmW*ssador to this country on the distinct undemanding with his Government that by so doing It he would not r uoutfee his seat in the French Senate. He had, he vver, region to believe, from what was told him by hL' friends, that his absence for so long from the Parliamentary lilc of France might cause him to lose touch witL. his Fret."Î1 countrymen. He had therefore spotters'JOUSIJ '> ta relieved of his office here so iLiai- he might ue.tura to politics, which he felt more congenial to him,s."a which he had only left reluctantly and conditionally. It is gratifying to learn from ¡he a%(j-e speech that M. Waddington's impen.nr. departure from London is in no way connected ivith the ungenerous attacks made on him in France during the last fefl i years. He has resigned the French Embassy 'I solely because domestic politics have a greater attraction for him than diplomacy, and ha is anxious to resume his place in the French j M. WADDINGTON, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO BRITAIN. I Senate. There can be no question that at the present moment France can well do with the services of M. Waddington at home. His vast political experience, his high character, and his cool and wary tempera- ment fit him to take a leading part in the solution of the serious crisis through which the Republic is now passing. In London society he will be much missed, and at the Foreign Office his departure must be regarded with keen regret. The irreconcilable attitude adopted by the French Parliament on the Egyptian Question, the disagreeable policy pursued by the Quai d'Orsay in regard to Newfoundland, and the entente with Russia, have rendered M. Waddington's task very, difficult, and it is almost entirely due to his personal ami- ability and his strong belief in the identity of the true interests of France and England that the relations of the two countries have not appreciably suffered of late years. In leaving us M. Waddington will carry with him the hearty esteem and good wishes of all sections of English society. M. Waddington, who is equally celebrated as a diplomatist, antiquary, and archaeologist, is the son of a naturalised Englishman, and was born at Paris Dec. 11th, 1826. He received his education at Rugby, and Trinity College, Cambridge. On coming of age M. Waddington was naturalised. He was Minister of Public Instruction in the Cabinet of M. Jules Simon (1876-7), and was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs (1877-9) under the Ministry of M. Dufaure. During this period of office he represented France with credit at the Congress of Berlin. In 1880 M. Waddington refused the London Embassy, but (July, 1883) he succeeded M. Tissot at the Court of St, Jatnes'rf.

THE SOURCES OF THE NILE. During his expedition from Lake Victoria to Lake Tanganyika Dr. Baumann discovered the source of the Kagera, the most important of the streams that flow into Lake Victoria. He also sends (says the Daily News correspondent at Berlin) some remarkable facts about the Mountains of the Moon, which Mr. Stanley saw at Ruvenzori, On the 19th of September he reached the source of the Kagera (Ruvumu), which rises at the foot of the steep wood-crowned watershed on the other side of which lies the Rufizi territory. This,says Dr. Baumann, is the source of the Nile, and it is noteworthy that this source and its surroundings are regarded by the Warundi as specially sacred. The mountains there, amid which, according to tradition, dwell the ghosts of the dead Muresi, are called by the Warundi Moon Mountains," and it is curious that this appears to confirm the statement of Ptolemy that the true source of the Nile lay near the legendary Montes Lunge.

A WONDROUS BEAST. Still another interesting and wonderful thing (the New York Tribune says) is going to be provided at Chicago for visitors to the great Fair, as we are told in a despatch from that city. This time it is not some foreign or distant wonder, like somebody's birthplace, or one of the signs of the zodiac, which will be removed to Chicago, but an architectural zoological marvel, which will be constructed right on the ground. It is nothing less than a wooden elephant, which will make the wooden one at Coney Island seem like a cotton-flannel elephant from some child's Christmas stocking. We learn from the account sent out that the Chicago elephant, which will stand near the Fair grounds, is to be 125ft. high to the ridge of its back, and 200ft. to the top of the howdah. The Coney Island plaything, it appears, is only 100ft. high all told. But it is not so much in mere size that this elephant will exceed all previous elephants reared by the aspiring hand of man. The Coney Island elephant is powerless to move a muscle-the Chicago elephant will be almost a thing of life. Its trunk will be, we are assured, "swung by machinery, the ears will flap, the eyes will roll, and the tail will wag." With 100ft. of trunk swinging, 50ft. of tail wagging, 40 square yards of eye rolling, and five or six acres of ear flapping, the visitor ought to be satisfied that he is getting his money's worth. And so he would be, probably, but he is going to get more. Within the beast's trunk," continues the despatch, "there will be a steam calliope to simulate the beast's roar." There will be a grand restaurant on the second floor. When, with the wild rattle of the trunk, the harsh creaking of the eyes, the fierce beating of the tail, and the crashing slap- bang of the sheet-iron ears—when, we repeat, with this there is mingled the roar of a steam calliope big enough for a 200ft. elephant, it will be very pleasant to sit down in this restaurant for a quiet little supper, after the theatre, with a few friends, or perhaps with one's fiancee. This Chicago elephant, the Tribune adds, is a novel and interesting animal, but we cannot understand why the builders should stop where they propose to. We want to see the beast walk. And we submit that an animal, living or architec- tural, that can swing its ears, switch its tail, and coil its trunk, can walk, or, at least, can be made to walk. We do not ask that it run, or that it get up on its hind feet and dance, or anything of that kind but we do insist on a quiet, dignified walk, and we believe that twice the admission fee now contemplated would then be willingly paid. A steam man 75ft. high ought also to be constructed to walk along with a hook and direct the elephant. They could tramp about through the residential portion of the town, stepping over the houses and picking up passengers and patrons for the restaurant. The beast of course ceuld be made to keep up a constant roaring and a furious flapping about of its ears, while, we doubt not, with the proper machinery, the man could be caused to utter loud steam remarks which could be heard in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and other neighbouring cities. All of this would be not only highly enter- taining for the passengers inside of the elephant, but would also afford a pleasing spectacle for other people. We fancy, too, that if, when walking about, the elephant and keeper should occasionally come suddenly upon an impenitent sinner in the very act of sinning, who had never heard of them, they might cut no inconsiderable figure as a means of grace. « I

A LADY ASTRONOMER. MIS. Mina Fleming, of the Harvard College Observatory, is a woman of large scientific attain- ments. For the last ten years she has been engaged in examining the photographs, computations, and reductions of the astronomical work in the ob- servatory, and by a careful study of these has dis- covered 21 new variable stars, a larger number than has ever been found by any man. Mrs. Fleming is a native of Dundee, Scotland, where she was educated, and afterwards taught in the public schools for five years. Under her a corps of trained women assistants has been established in connection with the Harvard College Observatory. I

THE YOUNG KHEDIVE. A CHARACTER SKETCH. His Highness Abbas Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, who has attracted considerable attention in England lately, is character-sketched in the New Review. Abbas Hilmi Pasha was born on the first day of Gamal Akher, 1291—i.e., July 14, 1874. Tewfik's tastes, even before his accession, were so far English that he provided English nurses for his children, and very soon after his sudden and unexpected accession to power, though they were still almost babies, he entrusted the education of his two sons to an Engl., h tutor, and that of his daughter to an English governess. Abbas and his brother bad two Engli" l) tutors first Mr. Butler, and afterwards Mr. 'iitchell. He also attended the Ali School, fenced by Tewfik for sons of pasLas and princes, \i ¡;6 edacatiotx was entirely at the KhoJive's ex- pense. When 12 years old there was some talk of sending Abbas and his brodltlrto school in England (Harrow was suggested); but the project was aban- doned, and they were sent instead to £ ho Tbereaianurc at Vienna. Meanwhile—this was in th« spring of 1886—the young Princes had been started on a pre | liminary European tour, accompanied by n pretentious suite, comprising a governor, a chamberlain, one or j two secretaries, and an official Interpreter. They visited in turn Rome, Paris, and London, before finally j settling in Vienna. In Paris they recpi vi ;1 an enthu- siastic welcome, and it is small wonder ■ dt vhen they crossed the Channel, and arrived Hnknown and un- noticed, at the Mdtropole Hotel, in Northumberland- avenue, they should have been disappointed by their first glimpse of London, and have remained dazzled by the glamour of Parisian hospitality. Nor, during their stay in this country, was any adequate attempt made to annul the Princes' first gloomy impression. They were here for over a week, and for the greater part of the time they moped or sulked, or quarrelled in the big desolate rooms set apart for them on the first floor of the hotel, while the suite lounged around them with fezzes awry, yellow-fingered from incessant cigarettes, bored to distraction and gaping with weariness throughout the long dull day. Prince Abbas gave frequent signs of a head- strong and obstinate disposition. In London, for instance, there was a pitched battle fought over a visit to Windsor-planned, of course, and stereotyped for days beforehand, which unfortunately interfered with a cherished scheme of the two brothers to pay a second visit to the Zoological Gardens; while it was with immense difficulty, and at the expense of an inconceivable wealth of mingled expostulation and cajolery, that the Princes were persuaded to forego the delights of a neighbouring panorama (of whose attractions they had heard from the servants of the hotel) in favour of a luncheon at the Mansion House given in their honour. Abbas Pasha has for many months past been more or less at loggerheads with the British Legation, with the English heads of departments, with all his English servants, in fact, except the officers of his army, for whom he has naught but admiration. If Abbas Pasha, somewhat coldly treated by the representative of Great Britain, has permitted himself to be carried away by the fair words and extravagant eulogy of the many flatterers] who surround him, there is, after all, no great cause for surprise. Much less is there any cause for serious apprehension. The disturbance already shows signs of having reached the turning-point. Abbas Pasha is headstrong, obstinate, and 19 years of ] age (which is saying nearly all that need be said); ( but he is anything but foolish, and cannot fail very speedily to awake, if he has not already done so, to the consequences that must result from his imprudent impulsiveness. ]

THE ILL-FATED TRINACRIA. DASHED TO PIECES WHERE THE SERPENT WAS WRECKED. -34 LIVES LOST. Further news is to hand regarding the loss of the Trinacria at Penas, Barmellas, between Capes Trece and Las Salas, four miles from Camarinas, and near Cape Villano, where H.M.S. Serpent was lost. The morning was foggy, and the look-out on board the steamer could not see the lighthouse on Cape Villano. The vessel lost her reckonings and got out of her course. The strong current landwards, which was so fatal to the Serpent, drew the Trinacria on to the rock-bound coast, where she was dashed to pieces, and 34 of those on board were drowned. The chief engineer and six sailors saved themselves by swimming to the shore. They had a terrible struggle in the breakers before reaching the beach. They were tossed hither and thither in the boiling sea and dashed again and again on the rocks with which the coast is strewn. All were bruised and their clothes were cut to tatters. Two of the men were badly hurt. The authorities are attending to all their wants. The shipwrecked sailors have not much to say about the disaster. The vessel was on the rocks and amidst the breakers almost before the people on board had time to apprehend danger. When she struck there was great confusisn on board, and before anything could be done the ship began to break up. Great seas burst over the deck, while the water poured in through the holes in the vessel's sides. The survivors were

WASHED INTO THE SEA, and immediately struck out for the shore. The wreck lies on the rocks amid the breakers. The masts and bulwarks have gone. Several bodies have been cast up on the beach, including that of a woman. The shore is littered with debris and cargo which have been washed out of the ship. The part of the coast where the wreck occurred is more accessible from the sea than from land, and the authorities have sent boats round to pick up the bodies and bring them to Camarinas or other places for burial. The British Consuls (says a Reuter telegram) at Corunna and Corcubion are doing all that is possible to assist the shipwrecked sailors. The passengers were all going out to Gibraltar in connection with the I' Mission to the Soldiers on the Rock," carried on under the direction of Mrs. Osborne, of Glasgow. Mrs. Bell was to rejoin her husband, who is engaged in the mission. Miss Cars- well was one of the most valued agents, and was returning from a holiday. Miss Stirling, who was going out for the first time, was the eldest daughter of Mr. John Stirling, coach builder, Hamilton, and, having been formerly engaged in evangelistic work in connection with the Lanarkshire Christian Union, was well known throughout the district. Miss Stirling, who was a talented vocalist and musician, had a desire to devote herself to foreign mission work, and was recently elected to go to Gibraltar. She addressed a Kirkintilloch audience a fortnight ago, and spoke with

HOPEFULNESS OF HER FUTURE LABOURS. The girl Smith was the orphan of a soldier, and was going out to Gibraltar under the charge of Mrs. Bell. Mrs. Osborne, who lives at Ryeslands, Newtonmearas, is herself a soldier's daughter. Captain Murray, of the Trinacria, was well ac- quainted with the route, and had sailed many voyages to the Mediterranean. Most of the officers and heads of the departments of the vessel had, in fact, been a considerable time in the service of the Anchor Line. Mr. M'Ausland bad been in the employ of Messrs. Henderson about 10 years, Captain Murray, who was about 40 years of age, had seen consi- derable service, and was reckoned a trust- worthy and reliable officer. This was, however, his first voyage in charge of the Trinacria. Captain Murray, when at home, resided in Glasgow. M. M'Ausland, the chief mate, was a young man aged 31 years, and had been four years chief officer on the Trinacria. Previous to that he served on two other Anchor liners, and, being unmarried, he re- sided while on shore with his mother and sisters at 3, Sandy ford-street. D. M'Donald, the boatswain, was a married man, and he leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss. M'Donald was 40 years of age, and this was also his first voyage in the Trinacria. The chief steward, whose name was Craig, also belonged to Glasgow. He, too, leaves a widow and six children, the eldest being aged 14 years. He had been ten years in the employ of the Anchor Line Company, and this was his third voyage on the Trinacria. The chief cook, John M'Lusbey, another Glasgow man, was about 36 years of age, and when at home resided at 36, Richard-street, Anderston, where his wife keeps a shop. He bad no family. This was his first voyage on the Trinacria. The names of the seven survivors are John Rust, the chief engineer; James Semple, the leading stoker; John M'Gown, a trimmer; Donald M'Gilp, A.B.; Andrew Ralston, A.B.; Thomas Moore, a fire- man and John S. Kelly, a fireman.

MASTERS OF FOXHOUNDS. The numbet of masters of foxhounds who intend to retire at the close of the present season is already unprecedentedly large, and it is probable that the list will be increased before the end of the month. The report that the Earl of Lonsdale has accepted the mastership of the Quorn Hunt is incorrect, and that country will be vacant when Captain Warner retires in April. Captain Ore Ewing, Captain Park Yates, Mr. C. A. Egerton, Mr. Lort Phillips, and Captain Prescott-Westcar are respectively giving up the Old Berkshire, the North Cheshire, the East Sussex, the Pembrokeshire, and the East Kent. Mr. Hicks- Beach has resigned the mastership of the Cots-old, but there can bo no difficulty in obtaining an eligible I successor, for the committee, of which Lord Fitz- hardinge is chairman, can offer a guarantee of £ 2000 a year. There is no truth in the statement > that the Earl of Craven has undertaken the master- ship of the Old Berkshire. Another vacant country will be the Penistone, as Mr. Charles Chapman has just announced his intention of giving up the hounds.

A GENERAL GARROTED. Reuter's Nice correspondent telegraphs that a daring case of robbery with violence occurred there the other night, when General Castrex was garroted while walking along the Boulevard Dubouchage, one of the principal-thoroughfares, and robbed of his watch and some hundreds of francs which he had in his pockets. The General was severely hurt while struggling with his assailants, but is reported to be recover"ag from his injuries. These garoting outrages, of which several have occurred lately, are regarded by the public as demonstrating the inefficiency of the police, and the local Press are loud in their complaints on the subject. The papers also demand the rigorous punishment of the English thieves charged with the robbery of Mdme. Theo's jewels, valued at £1000, which were found by the police to have been pledged with some pawnbrokers at Monaco for the small sum of £12.

HELP FOR CHOLERA VICTIMS. The distress committee which was formed at the outbreak of the cholera epidemic at Hamburg has just published its first report. It appears that the sum subscribed amounted to 3,319,000 marks. Of this amount Hamburg itself contributed 1,196,000 marks, and 1,415,000 marks came from other places in the German Empire. America sent 324,153 marks, rod 161,569 marks came from Great Britain. Besides this hard cash there were extraordinary supplies, such as potatoes, and an abundance of linen md articles of wearing apparel. There still remain n the hands of the committee 1,000,000 marks for listribution.

LATEST from Lily and Sunflower Circles—Em- broidered mustard plasters are now recognised as a necessary feature of assthetic medication. ]

NATIONAL WORKMEN'S EXHIBITION. PROGRESS OF TUB ARRANGEMENTS. The arrangements for holding the forthcoming National Workmen's Exhibition are progressing under the able management of Mr. George Shipton, Secretary to the Trades' Union Council. The exhi- bition will be held in the Agricultural Hall during July, and it is proposed not only to have men and women working in their various trades, but to arrange for space to be allotted for the representation of some sweating dens. The one great objeot the work- men's committee have in view is to show the public the practical side of industrial life in all its phases. The scope of the ex- hibition will in no way be limited, and women's work will not only find a place in all the various departments, but women will also be entitled to participate in the prize fund. The executives of the various polytechnics have been invited to co- operate in the exhibition, and send specimens of the work done at their institutions. As far as possible all the allotted spaces at the exhibition will be turned into miniature factories, and goods of all de- scriptions, from the manufacture of silk to the grind- ing of pepper, will be made on the premises, so that the visitor to the Agricultural Hall will have an opportunity of gaining] an insight into the ways of skilled workers, and the various processes through which articles of apparel, building material, food, &c., &c., pass before they are ready for delivery to the consumer. It is hoped by the committee that one result of the exhibition may be a general return to the apprenticeship system. The City Corporation and the City Guilds are lending all possible aid to the workers' committee in furtherance of the exhibition scheme. The various trades unions are also taking a very lively interest in the success of the exhibition, and are working hard, in conjunc- tion with Mr. Shipton, to make it as complete as pos- sible. Any profit that may be made will be given to the Trades Council's sick and relief fund.

THE THREATENED CAMERONS. A meeting of the members of the Highland Society of London has been held in the board-room of the Scottish Corporation to protest against the proposal to convert the 79th Cameron Highlanders into a battalion of the Scots Guards. Above the fire- place of the board-room was placed a black and white pen-and-ink sketch of one of the old 93rd, grasping in his left hand the colours of the regiment, with its tattered record of victories, while with the A CAMERON HIGHLANDER. right hand he rested the point of his trusty blade on tke ground. Lord Archibald Campbell was in the chair, and made a vigorous speech was in the chair, and made a vigorous speech in advocacy of the retention of the 79th as a single regiment. He expressed himself deeply dissatisfied with Mr. Campbell-Bannerman's answer in Parlia- ment, and declared that they must have some assur- ance that the regiment would be kept intact. He re- commended Glasgow as a recruiting ground if they wanted to strengthen the regiment. Mr. Oameron- Corbett, M.P., and others spoke, and resolutions were passed pretesting against the proposed amalgamation of the ancient regiment with the Scots Guards, as such a proceeding would practically mean the extinction of the distinguished and historic regiment. The 79th Regiment, raised originally at Stirling in 1793, was one of the many splendid battalions of Highland soldiers enrolled at that period for service in the great war with France. A glance at its glorious battle-roll shows that it has borne its part in every important campaign since it has been in existence, while during its century of service it has always held the highest reputation for effi- ciency, good conduct, bravery in the field, and dis- cipline. When the distribution of regiments into double battalions took place in 1880, the 79th was the only corps that was not linked off by this arbitrary method of labelling and ticketing, and since then it has remained our only single battalion line regiment. For this reason, for one thing, it was proposed to sacrifice this splendid corps for the betterment of the so-called territorial system.

SILVER IN IRELAND. A silver mine has been discovered (writes a corre- spondent) on the Tighe estate in the County Kilkenny. At all events, the work of boring for ore is going on at present. The locality of the supposed mine is well known to Irish tourists and pleasure- seekers, and to many English and American visitors. It is on the left bank of the River Nore as it flows from New Ross, and not far from the famous Red House," one of the chief points of attraction of the beautiful and celebrated Woodstock estate-the show-place of the county. About two months ago a little boy minding sheep bethought him of digging the soil on which he tended his flock to while away his hours of idleness," and on finding a lump of rock all glittering like gold," carried it in triumph to the agent of the Tighe property, *ith the result that Mr. E. H. B. Tighe, the owner, decided upon commencing operations, on a small scale, with some of his workmen. The soil was found to contain a fair percentage of silver ore, and samples were forwarded to England for assay. The outcome proved so satisfactory that Mr. Tighe has determined to thoroughly test the stratum of rock. A mining engineer has been engaged, and, judging by the speci- mens of ore already found, it is not too much to assume that silver will be forthcoming in remunera- tive quantities. It would not be easy to over-estimate the advantages the working of a mine could bring to a district where labour is at a standstill, and even the shadow of employment is hailed with joy by the large and ever-increasing number of men and boys enforcedly wasting the days seekihg or waiting for work—to keep the wolf from the door-but rarely finding it.

QUEEN OLGA AND THE PANIC-STRICKEN WOMEN. Fresh earthquake shocks of varying severity are constantly occurring at Zante. The other day the King, who is still staying in the island, presided at a meeting of the central relief committee. His Majesty said that every effort must be made to allay the pre- vailing panic. The first step necessary was the erec- tion of sheds for the temporary shelter of the inhabi- tants. After some remarks by M. Theotokis, the Minister of the Interior, who stated that the accom- modation at present available was insufficient, it was decided to erect in different parts of the town tem- porary huts capable of sheltering 4000 persons, and further to construct in each village one immense shed, to be supplsuaented by tents wherever such accommodation may be found inadequate. Queen Olga has again visited some of the villages. Her Majesty's progress was constantly impeded by crowds of panic-stricken women, to each of whom the Queen gave substantial assistance, accompanying her gifts with a few sympathetic words. The scenes every- where are described as most touching. The cable- ship Amber, belonging to the Eastern Telegraph Company, has arrived at Zante, having baen ordered thither from Egypt as soon as the news of the disas- trous earthquakes in the island became known. Her officers and crew are energetically assisting in alleviat- ing the existing distress.

IT was an Albany school boy who, believing in translations as free as the genius of his country, I translated Virgil's dux Jmnlna jacti (a woman the leader in the deed), the fact is, woman is a duck."

ROWING AT THE UNIVERSITIES. The recent death of Dr. Wordsworth, the vener- able Bishop of St. Andrews, carries the mind baok to the early days of rowing at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and, indeed, of cricket too, for Dr. Wordsworth was a double blue, having played in the first Universities' cricket match, as. well as having rowed in the first race. Throughout his long life, however, he always looked back with pleasure on his rowing days, and, but for his age and the distance which separates London from St- Andrews, the bishop would have been present at the jubilee dinner in 1881. There are probably no contests^ throughout the year which are more carefully pre- pared for than the boat race on the Isis, the Cam,, and of course at Putney. Day after day, in pretty well all weathers, all crews in training assemble at the appointed time, and make their somewhat monotonous journey with unfailing regularity. Long, courses and short courses are undertaken at the dis- cretion of the captains, and the members of the different crews give loyal obedience to their wishes and directions. At the present time the captains- of both University clubs are busy in getting; together crews for the race at Putney, and the men who may eventually compete will have gone through a long course of practice, for the rowing man is seldom or never out of harness during his University career. In- short, there is at Oxford and Cambridge no better organised amusement than rowing. Training is necessarily closely connected with rowing, and the rules for training have undergone as much altera- tion since the late Bishop Wordsworth was an under- graduate as have the patterns of racing boats. In days- gone by long walks and runs before breakfast were insisted on, under the idea that they were beneficial physic was deemed as essential as beefsteaks or" mutton chops; and no meat was thought fit for con- sumption by the rowing man or any other athlete unless it was disgustingly under-cooked. Now, how- ever, things are made much more easy and pleasant for the man in training. He is not required to upset j hi3 stomach by long and violent exercise before- j breakfast; physic he very seldom takes; while his- bill of fare ia by no means on a niggardly scale, and he must indeed be dainty for whom the variation now allowed in the matter of food is not sufficient to invite* an appetite; and it must not be left unsaid that even champagne is now permitted by some authorities at intervals. The man in training, therefore, needs no pity on the score of his having to mortify the flesb— beyond giving up his pipe—and many a man who, since his rowing days, has fallen upon more or less evil times, would be only too glad to feel that nothing worse than the meals allowed in training were await- ing him on his return home.Illustrated Sporting aml" Dramatic News.

A ROMANCE OF THE LOTTERY. At the quarterly drawing of the Credit Foncier Lottery Bonds in Paris, and a few minutes before the j wheel of fortune was to be set in motion, a lady appeared with a bond of the 1889 issue, upon which she wanted to pay the calls due in order that it might be eligible for a prize. The clerk said that it was too- late, as the drawing was about to commence, adding the conventional phrase of regret. The lady, however, begged hard, and the clerk consented to submit her case to the board of directors who had to attend the drawings. Several numbers, says a Paris corre- spondent, bad already been drawn while the directors- were considering whether the lady's offer could be accepted-a matter of a few francs-when, oh, freak of fortune the number of the very bond whose fate was in suspense came out for a prize of £ 4000. The, board ultimately ruled that as the number bad come out after the lady's offer the latter would be enter- tained. The clerk went down, and after receiving the lady's money and handing her a receipt for it" announced to her that she was P.4000 richer.

A CURIOUS TRANSFORMATION. A curious incident has been noticed (Iron says) in) connection witb the brass condenser-tubes of a foreign cruiser. The pipes, after being in use for more than j 12 months, were found to have experienced a peculiar' [ change. In many places the metal has been, it ap- | pears, converted into almost pure copper of a spongy- texture, the zinc of the alloy having completely dis- appeared. An investigation which was made- showed the probable cause of the failure to" have been era electrolytic action Dettretra lib., tin lining of the tubes and the brass, the sea water cir- culating through the condenser forming the electro-- lyte. Had the tin coating remained perfect, doubt- I less no corrosion would have resulted, but the mud | and grit conveyed in suspension through the condenser ( carried away the tin coating in spots, and it was at j these. points that the transformation of the metal r occurred. It is certain that if the pipes had not bean tinned at all, they would have remained intact. I

THE PEACE OF EUROPE. It is satisfactory to be able to note a decided. change for tha better in the position of affairs a*1 various European capitals. At St. Petersburg, fof instance, there is a marked improvement. The visit of the Czarewitch to Vienna and Berlin was, we are t told by the Vienna correspondent of the Times, but the outward and visible sanction of the actual rapprochement which has been effected between tllw three Imperial Powers. The danger of war haf thus been reduced to a minimum—in fact, it may confidently be stated that for the last 10 years at least there has never been less chance of a conflict. between any of the Great Powers. Both in political and military circles at Vienna the utmost confidence' is manifested as to the future. The eventuality which has hitherto alarmed the peace-abiding" Powers has been the prospect of a complete under' standing between Russia and France. According & the best informed authorities, no such understanding exists, and all apprehension of its being brought aboUt'- I has now subsided.

AN UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE. j Dr. Parke tells the following amusing story in b'8'' reminiscences which are being published in the' United Service Magazine I have a very vivid recol* » lection of a dipping to which I subjected myself OLIO day in the Congo, in pursuit of a native female. We had got far beyond the limits of civilisation,^ j and were fast approaching the boundaries of I the great Central African forest. Our storeø-' had now become exhausted, and we had commenced) s to feel the bitter pangs of apparently hopeless star' vation. We knew not where food could be procureOi the place was very thinly inhabited, and the native^ unused to the appearance of the white man, would not venture to approach us. One evening when we were in a state bordering upon desperation, some of our men sighted a native female who had been* hiding from their observation near the river bank* They tried to accost her in friendly terms, with a" view to obtaining some information about the locality)- especially, of course, on the crying question of tbØ possibility of obtaining food; but she would not. respond, and bolted. The men were of the comparly, under my command, and I was standing near wbel1 the interview was attempted and failed. My brothel j officers were not far off; we were all eaually hungry'' ? and I was nearest the river when sho made for thEr water, to which she took as naturally as a r bird. I was dreadfully loth to lose this > of possibly obtaining some information as to where we might find some food—for the morrow if not for the night-so without further premeditation plunged into the river after her. I used to be &- tolerably good swimmer, and the stimulus of added to that of conceit of my fancied abilities, prompted my action without waiting to make any further calculation. But I have never in my If had less reason to be proud of any perforinancf than of that same swim in the Congo The objef of my vain pursuit was as thoroughly at home the water as a duck in the pond of She dodged and ducked and described ever? imaginable variety of gyration in the water after an indescribable display of gymnastics of tb> kind, she struck out towards the middle of stream, near which I did not think it desirabla to' j follow, especially as the current was pretty riipld there, and it was only a short distance cataract. The congratulations of my brother offi°eIT on returning to the bank were of a character tb* might have been well dispensed with and concealed amusement of our starved Zanzibar P°r^6y. served to make them half forget their hunger for remainder of the day. During the whole of our P* ( grimage across the continent of Africa I never 01 lowed a native in the water again.

STUDENT fresh from college, to conductor I to get on the penultimate car." Conductor: have no peanut car; you can take the smoker."