County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. Whalley gave notice for Tuesday of the renewal of his Jesuitical motion. The second reading of the Municipal E'ections Cumulative Vote Bill was moved by Mr. Heygate. Mr. Dodds moved, and Mr. R. Hill seconded, the rejection of the measure. Mr. Assheton supported the bill, as also did Mr. Rath- bone. Mr. Newdegate thought it was desirable that every considerable minority should be represented. Mr. Morley deemed it necessary that something should be done. Mr. Tennant hoped the House would pass the bill, which Mr. Earp considered might operate beneficially. Mr. Wheelhouse gave {he measure his most cordial support. Serjeant Spinks thought that under the present system the political element entered too much into municipal elections; Mr. Dixon suggested the with- drawal of the bill for more mature consideration; and Sir H. Selwm-Ibbetson was of opinion that the question had not been fairly discussed in the country. After afewwords in reply from Mr. Heygate, the amendment was negatived, the previous question being agreed to on the motion of Mr. ^sfr Charles Dilke moved the second reading of the Allotments Extension Bill, which he affirmed would pro- vide an expeditious, cheap, and easy remedy for the poorer classes, where the trustees of the land did not understand the existing Act. Sir H. Selwin-Ibbetson opposed, and Mr. Barclay supported the measure, which Mr. Gregory thought unnecessary, and Mr. Rodwell deemed superfluous. Sir Charles Dilke then rose to reply, but was ruled to be out of order, as there was no amend- ment before the House. Sir R. Knightley thereupon moved the previous question, which, on a division, was carried by 164 to 116. The Waste Lands (Ireland) Bill came on for second read- ing on the motion of Mr. M'Arthur; but, after snme obser- vations from Sir M. Hicks Beach and Sir E. Wilmot, the debate was adjourned. The orders for the second reading of the Church Rates Abolition (Scotland) Bill and for Committee on the Public Worship Facilities Bill were discharged. Mr. Cameron obtained leave to introduce an Intoxicating Liquors Licences (Scotland) Bill. Mr. Hardcastle brought in a measure for the amend- ment of the Acts regulating the County Palatine of Lan- caster. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Fawcett moved, and Mr. Hankey seconded, a resolution affirming that no part of the Prince of Wales's Indian expenses ought to be charged on the revenues of India. Mr. Disraeli, in a speech of great cogency, opposed the motion, as also did Mr. Gladstone. Mr. Hotsman considered the House had not done justice to the loyal feeling of the House of Commons and the country in the amount they had proposed; and Sir Wilfrid Lawson thought the proposition made by the ^j. v1; l111oijt tt v• liiii i ii way TAUGHT/ xnciia, DUD WOVlIiV make England ridiculous. After a few remarks from Mr. Laing and Mr. C. Denison, the House divided, Mr. Fawcett's motion being rejected by 379 votes to 67. The House then went into Committe a of Supply. Mr. Macdonald moved the rejection of the rote of £60,000 to defray the Prince of Wales's personal expenses in India, but after a long and somewhat lively debate the vote was agreed to by 350 to 16, the subsequent vote of jE42,950 to defray his Royal Hlghness's naval expenses being carried by 255 to 12. Some further votes was after- wards disposed of. Sir Charles Dilke moved his sometime-pending resolution with respect to a juster distribution of political power. After a debate and a fine speech from the Premier, the motion was negatived on a division. The House went into committee on the Conspiracy aDd Protection of Property Bill. Mr. Cross moved a clause to repeal the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1871, and to im- pose a penalty E ot exceeding three months' imprisonment with hard labour for acts of intimidation or annoyance by violence or otherwise. On a division, the clause was car- ried by 225 votes against 112, and the bill eventually passed through committee and was reported. The Employers and Workmen Bill as amended was con- sidered and agreed to. A discussion, originated by Sir W. Harcourt, took place Mio the appointment of the proposed three new judges at Common Law. „ „ The' House went into committee on the Supreme Court ot Judicature Act Amendment (Salaries, &c.) Bill; and passed a resolution authorising the payment of salaries, &c., under the bill. The report of Supply was brought up and agreed to, so far as the notes relating to the Royal visit to India were concerned. A debate arose on the Irish vote, and was adjourned. The O'Conor Don drew attention to the evidence given under the provisions of the Shannon Navigation Act, 1874, and a considerable discussion, taken part in chiefly by Irish members, resulted in the subject dropping. Mr Disraeli made a statement with regard to the remain- ing business of the session, remarking that it would be pre- mature at present to decide the fate of the Government measures on the order book, and concluding with the hope that with the general assistance of the House the Govern- ment would be able to wind up the session at a reasonable period, and in a manner highly satisfactory to themselves. After some critical remarks from several hon. members, and a further statement by the Premier, the subject dropped.. -■ On the motion for going into committee on the Agricul- tural Holdings (England) Bill, Mr. Barclay moved a resolution to defer the general and optional provisions of the bill, and to provide compulsory compensation in all cases of temporary improvement. Con- siderable discussion ensued, in which Mr. Pease, Sir T. D. Acland, Mr. DavenpSrt, Mr. McLagan, Mr. J. Goldsmid, Lord Elcho, Mr. Disraeli, and other hon. mem- bers took part. The House then divided, and, Mr. Barc- lay's motion being rejected by a very large majority, went into committee. The Conspiracy and Protection of Property Bill, as amended, was considered, and after the rejection of sundry amendments, the third reading of the bill was fixed for Thursday. Committee on the Agricultural Holdings (England) Bill was resumed.

THE SINGTJLAB DIVORCE CASE. The hearing of this divorce suit was proceeded wt& in the Court of Divorce on Satmday morning. The Solicitor General having addre^ed the Court on the part of the Queen's Proctor, Mr. Hawkins fol. lowed on the part of the petitioner, and contended tfcafc the whole of the evidence went to the effect that the Queen's Proctor had failed in his case. The jury retired to consider their verdict, and after an absence of about 20 minutes, came into court with a verdict to the effect that the petitioner had made oat her case against her husband as to his cruelty and adultery, and that she had not committed adultery with Captain Bruton. This verdict being in effect a verdict for the wife on all the issues, the Court pronounced a decree niai with costs. MTTTTARY MANOEUVRES ARO soon to begin in JSSwkSd of StrMtaW- The object is to how far the forte and fortresses in tje vicinity would be serviceable m ease of a eoacentration of troops. Several regiments from Baden-Baden will take part in the manoeuvres, which will be conducted on a very large scale. THEATRICAL MEM. — Mr. Irving has announced to the world that Tennyson's "QDaen Mary is to be brought out at the Lyceum. The piay is sure to be well put upon the stage, with real fire and a real stake for the martyr-burning scene. It a few real heretics could be added, now, what a aaasation might be got up !-Judy.

GREAT FLOODS IN ENGLAND. LOSS OF LIFE" AND DESTRUCTION OF PRO- PERTY. The heavy rains which prevailed in most parts of >, the kingdom during the past week has caused oon. siderable anxiety not only to farmers but to all those living in low-lying districts. In the West of Eng- land the deluge was even heavier than in other dis- tricts, many portions of Devon, Cornwall, and Gloucestershire being covered to a depth of several feet. In the Dean Forest district, in the latter county, indeed, the floods rose to such an extent as to stop all business, and it is feared that some lives are lost. The most fatal event, however, was the loss of 13 lives at Cwm Cam, about 10 miles from New- port, on the Western Valleys line of the Monmouth- shire Railway, through the bursting of a pond used as a reserve for supplying the Monmouthshire Canal. The pond is situated in the upper portion of a dingle formed by the junction of two valleys, an embankment of sand and gravel being carried across to dam back the accumulated water rising in the springs above. About eleven o'clock on Wednesday evening the water in the pond, which had previously been observed to be washing over the bank, broke through with irresistible force, and swept clear away every obstruction to its progress for r early half a mile. About a quarter of a mile below the pond the turnpike road crosses the dingle on an embankment, and a few hundred yards further on the Monmouthshire CaDal is carried in a similar,way. A high wall of masonry has been built up on either side, with a large arch beneath to allow the flow of a small brock and a portion of the overflow from the pond. Still further below, and nearly parallel with the canal, runs the river Ebbw, which has flooded its banks throughout the whole district. Between the river and the canal is a factory for the manufacture of Welsh flannel, kept by a man named Hunt, and adjacent to the factory was Hunt's residence, a capacious house bailt about three years ago. This house has been swept clean away, not one stone being left upon another. Of the 10 inmates who retired to rest that night in seeming security, two only are now alive, eight having been washed down the river. A small cottage stood between the canal and the turnpike this also was washed away, and three inmates were drowned. It is difficult to conceive, except from an actual in- spection oi the locality, the immense power of the water. What is known as Rogers Pond is probably 400 yards wide, and runs up the dingle for fully a quarter of a mile. In the bank restraining its flow downwards a breach has been made fully 100ft. wide and about 40ft. deep. The immense mass of water thus let loose swept down the steep valley until it came to the turnpike road, which, as we have stated, is carried across the valley on an embankment. Through this a clean breach was made, a gap being left of about 40 yards wide. On, then, the flood came, sweeping to the masonry work of the canal, which seems to have offered no more resistance than the embankment of earth. The re- sult of this was that the waters of the canal flowed forth, adding to the already terribly destructive effects of the waters from the pond. In the house adjoining the factory there lived Mr. Hunt, his wife, his two sons, James, aged 11, and John, aged 23; two daughters, Elizabeth, aged 19, and Letitia, aged 21; two servant-girls named Mary Jones, aged 15, and Elizabeth Weeks, aged 17, all of whom had retired to rest before the fatal occur- rence. By certain noises they heard they became alarmed, but, before they could dress, the waters suddently burst upon them, and excepting Mr. Hunt, all were drowned. The old man was, with the others, swept down by the current some distance, but secured a hold of some branches, and was ultimately rescued. i a carious circumstance in connection with tne rescue of the old man is that his dog was louna oesiae lllm, and for a long time would permit no person to come near his master. Mr. Hunt was found to be much injured about the head, stomach and legs, but Dr. Da-yies, of Abercarne, who has been attend. ing him, gives hopes of his recovery. In a bedroom forming a portion of the old factory two apprentice boys were sleeping; one named James Foley, aged 15, was with difficulty rescued, having secured himself by floating upon a warping machine. His fellow-apprentice, a German lad, George Klain, aged 15, was washed away, and nothing more was seen of him. The bodies of Mrs. Hunt and her yourgestson, and the daughter of Howell Davies, are all that are yet recovered, and are now lying at the Cross Keys inn. The two latter are destitute of all clothing except their night dresses, and it was evident Mrs. Hunt had only partially dressed. The coroner has seen the bodies, but will probably not open the inquest until Saturday. The railway traffic on the eastern and western railways of the Monmouthshire Company, and the local lines on the Great Western, was interrupted, and in some instances entirely suspended,while miles of turnpike road and thousands of acres of land are deeply immersed in water. In the Western Valley scores of cottages are rendered uninhabitable, and the inmates left, leaving everything behind them, and thankful to escape with life. At Pontymistri, Risca, and villages higher up, the same desolation prevails. The greatest amount of damage is in the neighbourhood of Abercarne, where the vale is narrow, and the waters are hemmed in. Here springs burst forth from the mountain side, carrying in their progress masses of debris and ob- structing road, river, and rail, which all run nearly parallel through narrow defiles. Opposite Risca Station two immense patches have been scoured away from the mountain side. At Cross Keys two separate torrents came down upon the line and taxed all the energies of a gang of men to prevent the rails and sleepers being carried away. Here the railway crosses a low wooden bridge, the main support of which was swept off and stranded a quarter of a mile lower down. Above Abercarne a portion of the line was deranged, and an engine, with trucks laden with baulks, went up the line to replace damage. In passing under MynyddislwynMountain.a landslipftlluponthe train, and carried the trucks into the wood below completely covering them up. At the end of the trucks were the brake vans, filled with labourers. These were dragged a few yards along the line, and turned over. Fortunately the labourers escaped unhurt but had they been in the centre of the train, probably not a man would have escaped with life. The coupling chain snapped, and the engine did not leave the line. In the Eastern Valleys a slip took place at the Varteg, which stopped the trains be. tween Blaenavon and Pontypool; numerous small bridges have been swept away, but as yet no loss of life is reported. The river Froom, on the eastern siae 01 xsnsioi, gradually overflowed its banks, and, first covering the low-lying meadows abutting upon it, the flood reached some hundreds of houses recently built there, and rose in the lower apartments to a height of four or five feet. Great destruction of property ensued, several of the new streets being turned into rivers. Communication could only be kept up with the in. habitants by means of rafts and boats, and food had to be conveyed to the distressed people by ladders raised to the bedroom windows. Most of the in. habitants are poor people, and some who were bed- ridden had to be removed in cabs, the clergy of the district undertaking this work. In the country dis- tricts around the city much damage has been done to the hay and to growing crops. The excitement was intensified by the report of the sad accident at New- port, Monmouthshire. An inquest was opened on Saturday upon the bodies of the victims of the Cwm Cam catastrophe. The county coroner, Mr. Brewer, formally opened the inquest on the bodies of the unfortunate victims of the disastrous floods at Cwm Cam, new Newport, on Saturday. A respectable jury were sworn, and proceeded to view the bodies as they lay in the club room of the Cross Key a inn. The spectacle was a sickening one. Ten persons, who, a day or two before, were in full health and vigour, now lay side by side stiffened corpses. The fresh and clear ap- pearances which the countenances presented on the preceding day had already begun to change, bruises and outs were clearly manifest, a purple shade was cast over the features, and death had become terrible to look upon. After the jury had withdrawn a crowd of persons who had congregated were anxious to be admitted to the room to take a last look at the remains of those whom they had known so well, and for whom they entertained the highest respect. Accompanied by the coroner and several other gentlemen the jury proceeded up the ravine to inspect the reservoir, the bursting of which had caused so much death, de. vastation,- and misery. On their way they called at the house of Govier, the unfortunate, though heroic man, whose house, though well nigh buried by the flood, was providentially saved from destruc- tion. Govier is a young married man, with a wife and five children. On being made aware of the disaster that was overtaking them so rapidly he obtained a portion of his bedstead, with which he knocked a hole in the wall under- neath the rOof, out of which he crawled on to the rising ground at the back. Through this hole, standing up to his neck in water, he rescued his wife and five little children from drowning. The poor fellow still looked miserably pale and down-spirited, although expressing gratitude that his life had been saved, as well as the lives of his family. He is a hard-working collier, and had by thiift and industry furnished his house in such a way as to make home, comfortable. Almost everything is now destroyed. Another collier named Bowen, who lived next door, was equally for- tunate. Being able to swim, he got out of an upstair window and swam to the rising ground. On reaching the reservoir a close inspection was made, and particularly of the embank- ment, which had given way. It was remarked that, although it had stood more than three parts of a century, its construction was not of so sound a. cha- racter as it should have been to hold a volume of water spread over eight acres, and having in the centre a depth of 20 feet. One of the main outlets appeared not to have been opened for years, but this was merely conjecture. The jury intimated to the coroner that they deemed it advisable to have evi- dence from a practical engineer as to the strength and construction of the embankment. The coroner said their wishes should be attended to. On return- ing to the inquiry room it was arranged to adjourn the inquiry until Monday, the 25th inst. The reason for this was in order to allow time for the recovery of Mr. Hunt, in the hope that he would be able to give evidence at the inquest. On Sunday morning, however, mr, nunu aiea from the injuries he had received, making the twelfth person who has perished by the disaster which has visited the district. Mr. Hunt was frightfully cut and bruised about the head and body. One of his ribs was fractured, and his legs and arms were severely contused. Ten bodies have been re- covered, but, notwithstanding the diligent search which has been prosecuted, the remains of Howell Davies have not yet been found. In the afternoon eight of the victims were in- terred, two having been taken to Bedwas, and six were buried in the graveyard attached to Trinity Congregational Chapel at Cross Keys. Thousands of persons had assembled from all parts of the district to witness the sad spectacle. The coffins were all carried on the shoulders of bearers, as the Welsh entertain strong and unconquerable pre- judices in the matter of burial, and do not use hearses to convey their friends and relatives to the grave. IT ■'

MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS. Frederick Monson, 21, sailor, who had been re- manded from last session, was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court, before Mr. Justioe Denman, to answer a charge of wilfully murdering George Nathaniel Beattie on the high seas. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. It appeared that the English ship Barbadian left this country for Buenos Ayres on the 18th April last, with a crew, of which Daniel M'Neil was master, George Nathaniel Beattie, first mate, Gilbert Carr, second mate, the prisoner being one of the seamen. From Buenos Ayres they sailed to Java, where they discharged ballast. On the 4th November, Beattie being in charge of the ship, which lay off the last mentioned port, orders were given to slope the awning, and when this was done, to pay out chain. The pri- soner, who had been working in the hold, was called up to assist, and he grumbled at having to pay out chain before changing his clothes, and after dirty work below. He did his share of the work, however, but kept complaining in Beattie's presence. Beattie told prisoner he would strike him if he did not hold his noise. Angry words passed between them, and while prisoner was still speaking Beattie gave him a push. Prisoner said he would settle it yet, and shortly afterwards he ran at Beattie, drew his knife from his waistband, and stabbed him near the collar-bone. The prisoner was secured, and the captain, who had been lying be- low sick, eame up and endeavoured to staunch the blood from deceased's wound, but it was of such a serious character that the man died within four or five hours. The prisoner was put in 'irons, and given in custody when the vessel arrived at the port of London. The jury, after deliberating for nearly an hour. found the prisoner guilty of wilful murder, but added a strong and unanimous recommendation to mercy. The learned judge, in passing sentence of death, said he should forward the recommendation to the proper quarter, and he added that if he was appealed to he should not in any way prevent that recommen- dation from having its full effect.

CONTINENTAL ON DITB. THE army may be said to have displayed almost greater liberality towards the victims of the flood than any other body in France. The average amount subscribed by each regiment was about 600fr. When it is remembered that the soldiers' pay amounts to one sou a day, their contribution appears enormous. PILGRIMAGES to Paray-le-Monial are still going on. Many French and Belgian devotees have passed through Paris on their way to the shrine. IT may be remembered that the new Prussian law concerning the administration of the ecclesiastical property comes into force on October 1. The resi- dents of the different provinces are about to summon the bishops to declare, within a delay of one month, whether they are prepared to act in accordance with the law. Energetic measures will be adopted against those who refuse to, comply. THE Mayor and Municipal Council of Versailles have voted the sum necessary to repair the English Protestant Church of that town, not wishing," as the Mayor stated in his letter on the subject, to miss such an opportunity of showing that we have not forgotten the assistance, as kindly as it was efficacious, given to us by the English people in the dark cays through which our oountry has had to pass." COLONEL VILETTE, who is said to have aided in the escape of the ex-Marshal Bazaine, haa been al- lowed to retire on a pension. THE Duke of Coimbra (only brother of the King cf Portugal) is expected at Berlin in the course of the autumn. The duke will be entertained as a guest of the Imperial Court, and probably attend the military manoeuvres in Silesia. FEW young journalists, however clever, attain such worldly success as has befallen Hans Forsaell, the Swedish writer on politics and philoscphy, who has just, in his thirty second year, been called to take a seat at the Council of State, as Minister of Finance. THE Empress of Russia has invited the Empress of Austria to pass a part of the summer with her in Livadia. The Empress Elizabeth is expected to ac- cept the offer after her visit to Sasseto, on the French coast. M. LEMAIRE, a sculptor of San Remo, Italy, is at work on an allegorical group for the Philadelphia Exhibition, and is in Paris arranging for shipping it. The group represents a genius dispensing the bounties derived from Commerce, Agriculture, and Manufacture. All the statues composing it are of life size. HORSE is eaten openly and without reserve in Sweden, generally in September, or after the summer heats are over. Various preparations of colt and filly, fillet de cheval included, of course, may be seen entered without disguise upon all bills of fare about the fall of the year. # THE Empress of Austria will, it is announced, start from Ischl, where she is now staying, for Castle Sassetot de Mamconduit, in Normandy, the place selected for her summer residence, on the 29th of July. Sassetot de Mauconduit is situated little more' than a mile from the seashore, near the bathing- place, Etretat, The place has been selected for its seclusion and the mildness of its climate. SINKING FOR COAL is about to be com- saesced in the neighbourhood of Bury St. Edmunds,.

MR. BRIGHT ON TIlE TICEBORNE CASE. Mr. Bright has addressed the following reply to a correspondent at Sheffield,who urged him to support Mr. Whalley in his efforts to obtain protection for a man in New Zealand claiming to be Arthur Orton 132, Piccadilly, London, July 15, 1875. Sir,-You may rely upon it that Arthur Orton will not come from New Zealand. During the trial .£1000 was offered for him, and nobody could produce him. It was a large bribe, and I only wonder it did nob bring over a score of Ortons. The Arthur Orton is in Dartmoor, and nobody, I suspect, knows this better than some of those who are pretending to expaot him from New Zealand. I have read all the evidence and all the speeches of both trials, and the summing up of the Lord Chief Justice. This last I have read again during last month. And I have read more than once the evidence taken before the Chili Commission. I know, therefore, as much about the matter as you can know, and much more than is known by nine out of 10 of those who are clamouring for the release of the convict at Dartmoor. I have before me now the handwriting of the real Roger Tichborne, of the real Arthur Orton, and of the con- vict, and this alone is sufficient to convince any man of common sense and observation what is the truth in the case. If you could see this handwriting, and if you could examine the evidence of the Chili Commis- sion, the evidence of the convict's own friends, to whom he referred for proof that he was what he pre- tended to be, you could hardly fail to be convinced ) that your belief in the convict is wrong, and your sympathy with him wholly misplaced. I men- tion these two points as conclusive against him. There are many other points in the evidence on the two trials which are fatal to his claims He seemed to know the names of two dogs, but he did not know the nftme of his own mother. Mr. Turville, in Aus- tralia, asks him a last question, whether his mother was stout or thin. He said, Stout; a tall, large woman." It is not denied that Lady Tichborne was leanness itself. Miss Nangles said she was more like a skeleton than anything else, and this was sot contradicted by any one. If you can believe in a man who did not know his own mother's name, and who stated. that his mother, who is admitted to have been leanness itself, was stout, a tall, large woman," when he first came forward in Australia, and when he had no opportunity of picking up infor- mation and facts to support his case, I fear you are of that credulous nature that it may be useless to reason with you. I can take no part in the pro- ceedings of Mr. Whalley and his friends. To me the convict in Dartmoor is the greatest criminal of our time. His crime has extended over many years it is most base iu character, and includes in it almost every crime for which evil men are brought to punishment. Ton are much impressed, I dare sav bv the declarations of those who traverse the country creating agitation on this question. I must ask to be permitted to value my own judgment at least as highly as that of these persons. One of them is believed to have invested money largely in the case, and pecuniary interest is not {favourable to an impartial decision. Another suffers from a com- plaint which I call 'Jesuit on the brain,' and this aeema srievously to distort almost everything he look? at The third is a lawyer who failed after a trial which lasted 188 days to convince three judges and 12 jurymen, or any one of the judges or of the jurymen, that his client waa anything but an im. postor and a man most odious from his character and his crimes. I shall be glad if you, and such as believe with you, will not ask me to correspond further on a question about which only honest men who are in entire ignorance of the facta can in my view differ in opinion.—I am, respectfully, yours, JOHN BBMHT.—Mr. Mark Harrison, 1, Elliott road, Sheffield." MB. R C. JEBB, of Cambridge, has been unanimously elected to the vacant Greek ohair in the Glasgow University.

LEGALITY OF KISSING. In the Glasgow Justice of Peace Small Debt Court, two cases which occasioned considerable amusement came up for disposal. The pursuer in bothaotiona wag Ellen Whisker, or Wright, residing with her husband at Shettleston, who sued Jane Gilohrist, or Campbell, for the sum of X5 as damages in conse- quence of defender having, on the 2nd June last, struck the pursuer with her fists on the face to the injury of her person. Defender was also accused of having used opprobrious epithets against pursuer. The second case, which was at the instance of the same pursuer, was against John Campbell, grocer, 491, Great Eastern-road, Parkhead (husband to de- fender in the previous action). Pursuer sought to recover the sum of .65, as solatium, on account of the male defender having on the 2nd of June last violently and forcibly kissed Ellen Whisker, or Wright, against her will, to the hurt and injury of her feeling, and to the injury of her character, and in consequence of this unlawful liberty the pursuer had suffered severely in her name and reputation with her husband, relatives, and neighbours. From the evidence of Thomas Wright, the pursuer's hus- band, it appeared that on the day in question witness met his wife coming from the shop of the male de- fender, where he understood she had been getting advice regarding an account which was due to her by some party. When met by witness pursuer was crying, and on witness asking what was wrong pursuer informed him of the conduct of the male defender. Witness and his wife (the pur. suer) went back to the shop, where witness de- manded an explanation and a reason for kissing his (witness's) wife, but the former remarked that" it was nothing; only a case of a class of beer." In reply to the assessor, the male defender admitted having kissed the pursuer, but rf marked, probably, as he thought, in extenuation of the offence, that she offered no resistance." The female defendant denied the allegations of the pursuer, as also the statement in the summons with regard to the assault. On ac- count of there not being sufficient evidence of the alleged assault, or the violent and foroible kissing," the case was dismissed.

THE WIMBLEDON MEETING. It was expected that the competition for the Alfred Prizes would be concluded on Monday, but over 200 volunteers on Wednesday morning contended at the targets for these honours. Sergeant Clarkson, of the 19th North York, won the Alfred Prize of £ 30. For the same competition, Lieutenant Bury, 5th Danbigh, and Private Pearson, Inverness, won £10 each. The contest for the Queen's Prize began under favourable conditions, and was continued through- out the day. For the Queen's Prize there are 2250 entries. A comparison could not well be drawn between the scores of Tuesday and those made last year at the 200 yards range, because in 1874 a "standing" position at the firing- point was compulsory, whereas in the present contest any" position is permissible. There is rather a strong contrast between the scoring this year and that in the firat competition for the Queen's Prize, when out of the 299 marksmen 11 never hit the target at 300 yards, 36 were equally unlucky at 500 yards, and 59 at COO, while one fired his 15 shots at the three ranges without scoring a solitary point. The following scored 34, the highest possible score within one Private A. St. John Clerke, Inns of Court; Lieut. W. W. Re as, 1st Lanark Sergeant W. Boulter, 6th Cheshire. The rain, which fell all day on Wednesday, gave the camp a miserable appearance, and caused a stampede among those volunteer dwellers in tents who go to the common simply for the plea- sures of camp-life. The shooting, however, notwith- standing the unfavourable weathar, was. excellent. For the Curtis and Harvey Prize, at 200 yards, Private Young, of the London Rifle Brigade, scored seven successive bull's eyes; but still better than this was the splendid shooting of Captain Eddison, of the Leeds Rifles, who performed a similar feat at 500 yards for the Pavilion Prizes. The Daily Telegraph Cup was won by Lieut. Palmer, of the 26th Stafford, who made the highest obtainable score. Last year it was won by Mr. Mortimer,, of the London Scottish, with 34 points, or one point less than the winning number of 1875. For the first of the money prizes (.£10) in the Daily Telegraph competition there was a tie be. tween Mr. A. P. Humphrey, of the Inns of Court, and Sergt. Carder, of the Robin Hoods. They had both scored 34 points, and, on an exami- nation of the composition of their scores, it was found they were of equal value. In shooting off the tie at 200 yards, Mr. Humphrey's first shot struck the very centre of the bull's-eye, scoring what is technically known as a carton, whilst Sergt. Carder only made an inner. The former, therefore, takes the prize of .£10, and the latter receives the first of the X5 prizes. A somewhat startling inci. dent relieved the monotony of the day's proceedings. Early in the morning an orderly's horse took fright and bolted, bearing its rider, Humphreys, of the 19th Hussars, swiftly across the line of fire. An officer, observing the danger, sent another soldier, Private Kemp, to gallop behird the marksmen and atop the firing, which he did successfully. It was said, however, that one bullet passed between the horse's legs. A curious feature in the record of Thursday's shooting was to be found in the extraordinarily good scores made by the Scotchmen. Thus, at the shooting for the Queen's at the 600 yards range, the two highest scorers on the list were from Scotland, Private Innes, of the 10th Aberdeen, and Private M'Vittie, of the 7th Dumfries, who last year carried off the St. George's Vase. Private Burgess, too, to whose name are recorded 81 marks, is the champion of the Scotch Eight for last year, but, famous as he he is at the "small bore," he has never before this managed to pass into the second stage. Pri. vate Innes' score was made up of 31, 29, and 30 (90 in all), the last made at the 600 yards range during the worst shower of the day. His scores made him the winner of the silver medal and badge and < £ 60. With but short intervals the rain fell as heavily and continuously on Saturday as it had fallen on Wednesday, ThursdaYt and Friday. Having ob. tained permission from the executive, most of the volunteers competing in the different matches went to the firing point clad any how." Not only their uniforms, but their very boots had, in many cases, been so completely soaked in rain water as to be un- wearable, and the number of men who shot bare- footed and bare legged was considerable. The prin- cipal competition of the day was the China Challenge Vase, which was won by Gloucester, with 365 points, 24 other counties having entered into the contest, and Herts being second with 360 points, Lanark third with 357, and Norfolk fourth with 355. The Belgian Challenge Vase was won by the 1st Berks, and the Secretary of Stite for War's Prize by Mr. Moluneux, of the 4th Lancashire. The Americans have given proof of their skill, as may be seen from their scores on Saturday. In the firing for the Rifle St. Leger Sweepstakes for small bore rifles, Major Henry Fulton, one of the team, made the highest possible score (35) over a range of 200 yards. John Rigby, the famous Irish shot, and Mr. Mitchell, of Cumberland, made similarly good good scores. Colonel Gildersleeve, the captain of the American team, scored 34, and Mr. Yale, another United States shot, 33. Captain Eddison, of the Leeds Rifles, has made an excellent score for the chief Pavilion Prize (= £ 20), and it is probable he will be declared the winner. The number of volunteers who slept in camp on Saturday right was only 230, officers and men. At Wimbledon on Monday the chief event of in tereat was the match between the Lords and the Commons, the former being represented by the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl of Dunraven, Earl Ferrers, Earl Waldegrave, and Lord Wharncliffe; and the latter by the Marquis of Lorne (Argyllshire), the Hon. R; E. Plunkett (West Gloucestershire), Colonel Loyd-Lindsay (Berks), Major Peploe (Herefordshire)^ and Mr. Peadarves Vivian (West Cornwall). The Commons won by 313 to 220. A novel feature hai this year been introduced into the match between Lords and Commons in the shape of a prize for the- winners. The Maharajah of Vizianagram has pre- sented two massive silver vases, or perhaps,. to speak more correctly, pitchers, which are to be held for the year by the Lord Chancellor or the Speaker, a3 the case may be. So till the month of July, 1376, these handsome pitchers, or vases, which are, we be- lieve, modelled after tome old plate in the possession of Lord Spencer, and once the property of the first Duke of Marlborough, will be in the hands of the Speaker of the House of Commons. When the result was made public there was the usual interchange of courtesies, Lord Wharncliffe leading the cheers for the-Commons, and the Marquis of Lorne returning the compliment to the Lords. After this most of the competitors and visitors made their way to the cottage, where the weather at last vouchsafed to smile on Lady Wharncliffe's garden party." Captain Pearse, of the 18th Devon Rifle Volun. teer Corps, carried off on Tuesday the Queen's Prize at Wimbledon, with a totaj score of 73 points, nine more than were made by the winner last year. The weather showed a great improvement upon that of some pre. vioua days, and a considerable crowd assembled to witness the conclusion of this contest. THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION has been asked to organise excursions for the pupils of the lyoeums during the holidays, in order that those who should be desirous of doing so may spend six weeks in the mountainous regions of France. CARDINAL MANNING and Archbishop Bay- ley, of Baltimore, the Primate of America, are ex- piated to take part in the formal opening of St* Lawrence's Church, Birkenhead, on the 5tb. Q| September.