The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

EPITOME OF NEWS. i» The Carlisle Examiner tells of an instance where corn was eiit In the morning, thrashed, ground, and made into soda-cakes In time for, breakfast the same morning. The cutting commenced at fouro'ckck, and the bread was delivered at half-past qigh4 A glorious instance of the energy of a freed slave has lately been given. Mr. George Smith, very recently a slave, sailed for Hayti, with thirty-four packages of agricultural implcmenti, in the British schooner Planet, from Boston. Mr. Smith has under cultivation 200 acres of land in Hayti, from which he expects to gather 100,000 pounds of cotton this season. The volunteer review which took place at Norwich during the Musical Festival, appears to have been very successful. Upwards of 1,500 men were on the ground, and the movements, which were directed by Colonel M'Murdo, were sufficiently well done to justify a moderate encomium. Ploughing matches are becoming very popular among agriculturists. Their effect is, doubtless, to stimulate not only the ploughmen, but the plough makers. Two matches, "open to all England," came off on Wednesday; one at the West Gloucestershire meeting, the other at Brockley, North- amptori'shire. Bothwete decided in favour of the Howard's, of Bedford. At Ellesmere, last week, Mary Almond, a domestic servant, late in the employ of Mrs. Wenlock, of Coles- mere Woods, was committed for trial on a charge of child murder, the victim being her own offspring. The Sea Queen steamer, belonging to Messrs. Pile, Spence, and Co., has arrived at Liverpool, from Matamoras, with a full cargo of cotton. The Times city article says this is the third vessel of their line of steamers. The second was the Peter- hoff, which Judge Betts, of New York, recently condemned, on the grounds of her papers being simulated and destination pre tended. Serious complaints have been made lately that a number of low ruffians assemble at St. {Catherine's Wharf, wmdon, where a great many vessels arrive and depart, and that they rob and cheat the traveller to an outrageous extent, without the police at all interfering in fact, they are seldom seen there. We advise our country friends, if necessity takes them to this spot, to be on their guard against these scoundrels. As one means of materially aiding the National Shakespeare Fund, the committee propose to appeal to managers of theatres and other places of public entertainment to give performances, the proceeds of which to be handed over wholly or in part to advance the object. A young woman, a servant in the employ of Mr. Morton, poulterer, Camberwell-green, has been admitted to St. Thomas's Hospital, having been burnt in a most fearful manner from her crinoline taking fire. The poor creature lies without much hope of recovery. The Rendcombe manor estate, which is one of the finest in the county of Gloucester, and comprises vipwards of 4,000 acres, has been sold by Mr. Marsh, auctioneer, of London, to Sir F. Goldsmid, Bart., Q.C., M.P., for £ 160,000. It was purchased of General Sir John Wright Guise, Bart. The" Oxford Times" relates that, at the late rifle match, "On all sides was heard the oft- repeated question- What's become of the Lord-Lieutenant's prize ? and echo answered Where? A court martial was held at Sheerness, on board the flag ship Formidable, to try Mr. Charles Foster Williams, the assistant surgeon of H.M.S. Wrangler, for being in a state of intoxication at the house of Capt. Webb, of the Royal Marines, at Ascension Island. The charge appeared rather trivial, but eventually the court declared the case proved, and the medical gentleman was ordered to be severely admonished and repri- ma ided. A mysterious death occurred in a cab, in which the body of a professional-looking and well-dressed man was brought to St. Pancras Workhouse, said to have been found in a state of delirium tremens. He was alive when put into the cab, but on reaching the workhouse life was extinct. He is said to be a singer at one of the London music halls. Last week General Pallavicini, the hero of Aspromonte, showed himself in the theatre of Lugo. The moment he was discovered the house became empty. The very musicians in the orchestra, carried away by the current of feel- ing. retired too, and left the officer all alone in his glory. There appears to be now a fair prospect of carrying out the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable project. It is announced that all the capital has been provided, the tenders of Messrs. Glass, Elliott, and Co., accepted, and the cable will, it is said, be laid across the Atlantic next year. The "Morning Post" Paris correspondent says a new loan for the Confederate States is contemplated, and remarks that the French Government will certaiuly not throw an difficulty in the way. ( It is a sad sight," says a New York contempo- rary, "to see in free America men marched through our city manacled to a chain, enforcing them to become unwilling soldiers' This spectacle was visible in this city the other dav." The Dutch papers announce that the consul- general of Holland and all the Dutch have been ordered to quit Japan immediately. Orders have been issued at the Hague for the dispatch of four vessels of war to Japan, to fce employed as the cousul-general may deem advisable, or to act in concert with England, if desirable. A new move in the emigration from Ireland is reported from Galway. On the departure of the Anglia from that port, on Tuesday, fifty stow-aways were discovered and taken off by armed policemen. A public meeting was held the other day in St. Georere's-hal], Bradford (the mayor in the chair), to consider the recommendation of a special committee for transferring Peel- park, purchased by public subscription, into the hands of the corporation, for the perpetual use of the inhabitants. The sale of the late Sir Tatton Sykes' sheep flock has excited as much interest as did the sale of his stud. The flock, it is said, will be dispersed throughout the world. Many buyers were present from the continent, from Australia, as well as from all parts of the United Kingdom. The greater part of the Florida's crew have arrived at Liverpool. They seem to have been hard'y used. For months they have seen no wages, and when they got to Brest they became clamorous for pay. Captain Maffit gave them at first irons, and then their discharge, with an order on Fraser and Co, of Liverpool, for their wages. Messrs. Fraser and Co. refuse, it is said, to honour the order, and the men are penniless and angered in Liverpool. Another volume of the "Population Tables," compiled from the English census returns of 18G1, has been issued. Amongst other statistics given, it states that in April, 1861, there were found to be in England and Wales 12,032,157 persons-men, women, and children-who had never been mar- ried, 6,917,395 persons married, and 1,116,672 persons widowed -in all, 20,066,224. The females were 513.706 in excess of the males. A contemporary, in speaking of a newly-invented "metallic burial case," says it is fast coming into fashion, and is highly recommended by those who have used it. There is a scheme on foot in Paris to esta- blish a grand magazin for the sale of everything which a human being may, might, or should require in his menage. A young lady of Aberystwith was recently blown over the cliffs into the sea, and, thanks to her crinoline, she alighted safely on the sands, after her aerial voyage, more frightened than hurt The effect of the descent on the crinoline is described as the spreading of the spanker boom sheet! Her Majesty has been pleased to accept from Mr. John T. Topham, British Vice-Consul at Lanzarote, a fine spe- cimen of the cactus cochinellifer, with living cochineal. The plant, which reached London in the steamer Amazon. Captain Pounds, was on Friday last placed in the Horticultural Gardens. The "Church Times" of last week contradicts and apologises for having given currency to a rumour that Miss Margaret Goodman, the author of a work on Sisterhoods," had joined the Roman Catholic communion. A new bishopric is forthwith to be founded in Australia, to be called "the Bishopric of Grafton and Arundale," and to be created out of the present diocese of Newcastle. The appointment is in the gift of the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the recommendation of the Archbishop of Canter- bury. A Diion journal states that an old man, named Golot, 106 years of age, passed through that town last week.on his way to Bourbontie-les-Bains. Notwithstanding his years, the gallant old man is in the enjoyment of excellent health, and walks well without the help of a stick. He is said to have a wife nearly the age of himself. The "pilgrimage" to Cherbourg, organised by the Parisian parish of Notre Dame, did not prove a success. On the pilgrims' arrival and leaving the railway station in pro- cession, they were assailed by a large mob, hooting and yelling, which brpke the cortege, and the body were quickly dispersed. No personal violence, however, was offered to the devotees by the irreligious populace. It isoonteinplated, says the Presse, to forbid trout fishing in trance from the 1st Octobcr to the 15th January. During that period the fish leave the large rivers for the small streams where they breed. Last week a young man at Ayr, as a practical joke upon an acquaintance, caused a false intimation of a birth to be inserted in one of the local papers; and his handwriting having been discovered, he has, through the editor of the paper, paid over £3 to the funds of the ragged school, as an evidence of his regret for his indiscretion. Some little time ago a poor tailor, in the parish of KilfiDan, was presented one bright morning by his wife with three daughters at one birth. The man made repeated inquiries if he could not receive the "Queen's bounty; at length a gentleman interested himself so far as to write to Sir Charles Phipps, who, in a.very short time, remitted the poor man X3 as a donation from the Queen. The" Moniteur," the semi-official organ of France, informs the public that the Florida is not a privateer, but an ordinary vessel of war belonging to the military marine of the Confederate States. George Greenwood was the other day brought up on remand to the Clerkenwell Police-court, for cruelly ill- using a sheep in the Metropolitan Cattle Market. The witness against the prisoner not being able to appear on account of ill- ness the case was remanded, with liberty for the prisoner to go at large on his own recognisances. Lord Brougham completed his eighty-fifth year on Sunday. The noble and learned lord is now slaying at Brougham-hall, but leaves that seat the week after next for Edinburgh" to preside at the gathering of the Social Science Congress. The long vacation of Eton College termi- nated on Wednesday, the 23rd instant,"when the lower boys returned to the college. On Thursday, the 24th instant, the fifth form boys returned, and on the following day (Friday) the 25th instant, the boys of the sixth form were to.return from their holidays, when the whole school, numbering upwards of c-i-lit hundred 'scholar?, were to resume their duties, after a vacation of eight weeks' duration. What a variety of purposes, good, bad, and indillerent, does the penny postage-stamp serve! Hue is a it gentleman" wants LIC,5 to "save his credit." lie adyertistS that he has always helped others, and if 2,100 kind helpers will send twelve stamps be will gratefully return them. The proposal is below zero in its coolness. The custom of bull-fighting seems to be thoroughly implanted in France, so sayeth a traveller just returned from the south-west, and the French show even more daring, and perhaps more ferocity, than is shown in Spain. Upwards of one hundred persons from the neighbourhood of Kilrush left Limerick by an early train last week for America. It is a matter of surprise to many how such numbers of fine, athletic young men are daily taking their depar- ture to the United States from the county Clare; in fact, we have noticed (says a contemporary) in many parts of that county that the corn has been reaped and other agricultural operations performed by women. According to the last census, the number of noblemen in the Austrian States amounts to 250,000. Hungary possesses the greatest number, having 163,000, among whom are mentioned four princely families, 84 with the title of count, 76 of baron, and 300 simple nobles. Gallicia has 24,000 noblemen; Bohemia only 2,260, which are divided into 14 princely families, 172 counts, and 80 barons. A review of about a thousand volunteers was, on Saturday, held on that part of Epping Forest known as Wanstead-flats. The Deputy Inspector of Volunteers superin- tended the evolutions, which were tolerably well performed, and were witnessed by a great number of persons, estimated at fifty thousand, who pressed in a most uncomfortable, and, indeed, dangerous way upon the troons. The young King of the Greeks has been at St. Petersburg. The youthful sovereign is about to pay a round of visits to European Courts before setting out for his new dominions. He is expected in Paris about the middle of October and he will also, of course, visit London. The Cotton Supply Association report for this week speaks very favourably of the growth of cotton in, and the demand for seed from, many new quarters. In Batavia the agent for the Association has been overwhelmed by the demands for seed, and a good supply is expected from Java in a short time.

CURIOUS ELECTRICAL PHENOMENA ■ ■ Professor Tyndall sends us for publication some curious Alpine experiences of Mr. Robert Spencer Watson and his party in the region of the Jungfrau. The suddenness of the atmospheric changes will recall the similar observations of Mr. Whymper, on the Matterhorn, recorded in our pages a fortnight ago. Mr. Watson says:- "On the 10th of July I visited the Col de laJungrrau from the yEggiscti-horn, in company with my wife and Messrs. John Sowerby and W. G. Adams, of Marlborough College. We had with us as guides, J. M. Claret, of Chamouni, and a young man from the hotel. The early morning was bright, and gave promise of a fine day, but, as we approached the Col, clouds settled down upon it, and, on reaching it, we encountered so severe a storm of wind, snow, and hail, that we were unable to stay more than a few minutes. As we descended, the snow con- tinued to fall so densely that we lost our way, and for some time we were wandering up the Lotsch Sattel. We had hardly discovered our mistake when a loud peal of thunder was heard, and shortly after I observed that a strange singing sound like that of a kettle was issuing from my alpenstock. We halted, and, finding that all the axes and stocks emitted the samesound, stuck them into the snow. The guide from the hotel now pulled off his cap, shouting that his head burned, and his hair was seen to have a similar appearance to that which it would have pre- sented had he bjen on an insulated stool under a powerful electrical machine. We all of us experienced the sensation of pricking or burning in some part of the body, more especially in the head and face, my hair also standing on end in an uncomfort- able but very amusing manner. The snow gave out a hissing as though a heavy shower of hail were falling; the veil on the wide-awake of one of the party stood upright in the air, and on waving our hands the singing sound issued loudly from the fingers. Whenever a peal of thunder was heard the phenomena ceased, to be resumed before the echoes had died away. At these times we felt shocks, more or less violent, in those portions of the body which were most affected. By one of these my right arm was paralysed so completely that I could neither use nor raise it for several minutes, nor, indeed, until it had been severely rubbed by Claret, and I suffered much pain in the shoulder joint for several hours. AthaJf-paiit twelve the clouds began to pass away, and the phenomena finally ceased, having lasted twenty- five minutes. We saw no lightning, and were puzzled at first as to whether we should be afraid or amused. The young guide was very much alarmed, but Claret, who is devoid of fear, and whO had twice before heard the singing (though without any of the other symptoms), laughed so heartily that we joined him. No evil effects were felt afterwards beyond the inconvenience arising from the I urning of our faces, which, though we had no sun, were almost livid in hue when we arrived at the Eggisch- horn."—Athenaeum.

THE GREAT INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH. This great match, between ten rifle volunteers of the Robin Hood corps in England and ten marksmen in the colony of South Australia, took place, as' far as England was concerned, at the Sudbury rifle range, Derbyshire. This great international rifle match commenced a few days since at the Sudbury rifle range, Derby- shire, the property of Lord Vernon. This match was the result of a challenge sent by Captain Macfarlane, of Milang, South Australia, whose company possessed the greatest number of marksmen in the colony in the year 1862, and the challenge was that ten of his com- pany would shoot against ten of the company claiming similar honours in England. One of the conditions of the challenge was that each side should shoot on a range where they had not been accustomed to practice. Captain Mundella's company, the 1st Robin Hoods (Nottingham) sent in a certificated statement, which having been submitted to Colonel M'Murdo, Captain Mundella was informed that his ten were expected to compete with the colonial ten: The Robin Hoods ob- tained permission from Lord Vernon to shoot over his celebrated range in the park at Sudbury on the 15th. At the conclusion of the match the following score was recorded:—Lieutenant Evans obtained a total of 133 points; Ensign Perry, 113; Corporal Eedfern, 125; Corporal Smith, 92; Private Bass, 107; Private Shepperley, 118; Private Noddall, 108; Private Brewster, 108; Private Coles, 128; Private White, 123 making in the whole 1,155 points.

Admiral Fitzroy and the W eather. W e have the pleasure to announce that Admiral Fitzroy has returned to his offices, at the Board of Trade, Whitehall, and that his valuable and highly efficient services will be again brought into ready and active operation. His absence was greatly felt during the lato gales.

A PARIS FAIR. The Paris correspondent of a contemporary, describ- ing a fair two days ago at St. Cloud, states, that throughout the whole fair he detected a spirit of gambling. "I do not speak of actual roulette, which, under pretence of knives and purses, was really played for sous. I saw one man win three times on the yellow-the gross stake being, perhaps, twenty-four halfpence-and when he asked for payment in money instead of goods for his third coup, the keeper of the table, tearing his hair, exclaimed, Death of my life, now I am miserable! and thou, brigand and pig, dreamest only of hard cash!' But the spirit was everywhere. You shot at a little figure, and if you hit it, won a glass jug. You raffled for an ink- stand, and were 'within one' of getting that useful article. It was five to one in maccaroons that you did not throw that ball down that old woman's throat. Trapeze was played for stakes of hardware, roulette for china and glass, and finally it was a live rabbit to a sou that you did not knock down those two little pegs with that one little ball." The dancing, however, was the event of the day. There were half-a-dozen temporary ball- rooms, lighted, decorated, and floored quite as well as Mrs. Inigo Jones's when she gives her best ball of the season; and these were all as full-at the ridiculously small charge of one penny- as that lady's reception-rooms, and I dancing was kept up to a late hour.' Le bal Will's was the dance par excellence, and there, as soon as ever the sun had gone down, I music arose with its voluptuous swell'—perhaps there was a trifle too much trumpet-and all dancing Paris crowded in to chase the glow- ing hours with flying feet,' and then go off as fast as those same flying feet could take them to catch the last train back to Paris. Altogether, it was a highly successful festival, and closes the era of summer files with great eclat."

SUICIDE IN THE STREET. Mr. S. F. Langham, deputy coroner for Westminster, held an inquiry, a few days since, at King's College Hospital, touching the death of John Hunter, aged forty-one, a tailor, late residing at 41, Lower White- cross-street, who had committed suicide. Catherine Hunter, wife of the deceased, said her husband had been in bad health for the last six months, and had threatened to commit suicide before he left home in the morning. He also threatened witness, and said they had better go out of the world together. He was not in want, but had been so reduced by illness she believed as to affect his mind. Thomas Grant, carman, in the employ of Messrs. Chaplin and Horne, deposed to finding the deceased inside the gateway of the George and Blue Boar-vard, Holborn, with his throat cut. No one was near him at the time. A shoemaker's knife was iying by his side. There was a great quantity of blood lying at his feet, as if he had fallen backwards. With assistance he put de- ceased in his van, and brought him to the hospital. He was not dead then. Witness had previously sent for Mr. Williams, a surgeon. Police-constable Sutton said he was called by the last witness to the George and Blue Boar on Monday morning. He found deceased as described by the last witness. He asked deceased why he had done it, and he said because he had a bad wife. He tried to seize the knife, and wanted witness to finish him at once. He also expressed the same wish to the surgeon. oz- Mr. Williams, surgeon, Gray's-inn-road, proved being called to the deceased. He attended to the wounds in his throat, and ad- vised that he should be removed to the hospital. There were also some stabs in the stomach. "Charles Antonini, house-surgeon at King's College Hospital, said deceased when admitted had a large gash in his throat about seven inches long, and was very much blanched from loss of blood. He was put to bed, but he died the same day, death, no doubt, resulting from the wound in the throat. After further evidence the jury returned a verdict of Temporary insanity." u

BIRDS AND FRUIT GARDENS. "A London Incumbent," writing to a contemporary, gives the following as his own country experience of the depredations committed by the feathered tribes:— Two months ago the rejoicings in my nursery were great in the immediate prospect of the summer visit to grandpapa in Worcestershire. Among other delights there was to be no end of fruit, fa J grandpapa had made rather a hobby of his fruit garden, as well as of his shrubberies. I had my own doubts, for grandmamma is tender-hearted in the matter of nests, and the surrounding farmers and their wives are unsentimental people, who attach a market value to garden produce The consequence is that grandpapa's precinct is the Alsatia of all the birds in the parish. I did hope, however, that we should be allowed to go shares with them in the fruit; and, in justice to the birds, I must admit that they let us have a few strawberries. The cherries were choice and plentiful, and the blackbirds, and thrushes, and little birds were, for the most part, content with these, or rather with such of them as were not wanted for breakfast in the rookery, as the rooks would not con- descend to eat anything lower than cherries. I have no further complaint to make against them, but, with the exception of a very few raspberries, the other birds coolly appropriated all the rest of the summer fruit. They consumed all the currants and all the gooseberries, they devoured all the peas, and we left them making holes in the plums to see if they were ripe in the intervah of their hammering at the nuts and filberts. The season was probably exceptional, for the soil was so dry and hard that the earthworms had all left the surface and were not to be turned up even with the spade; but my experience of several years has shown me that you cannot protect the vested interests of rooks, magpies, jays, wood-pigeons, missel-thrushes, blackbirds, song-thrushes, robins, sparrows, finches, and tomtits, and at the same time retain any vested interest whatever in your own fruit-garden.

LOSS OF ANOTHER LIVERPOOL STEAMER. Another Liverpool screw-steamer has been lost on the coast of Novia Scotia, but whether by, the prevalence of a storm, foggy weather, and the action of currents, or negligence on the part of those in charge of the ship, we are at present uninformed, as the telegram announcing the disaster was brought by the Persia from Cape Race. From other sources, however, we learn that the Pactolus, under the command of Captain Johnson, having on board a large and valuable cargo, sailed for Halifax and St. John's, New Brunswick, on the 22nd of August last, and in due course reached Halifax, where a portion of the cargo was discharged, the vessel afterwards pro- ceeding on her voyage to St. John's. She was not destined, however, to reach that port, for she struck on a place called Liverpool, in the neighbourhood of Nova Scotia, and became a total wreck, little hopes being expressed of any portion of the cargo being saved. How the vessel same to get on shore where she did is at present unknown here, as, by a reference to a map of that part of the Atlantic it will be seen that Liverpool is a long way out of the course generally taken by vessels sailing from. Halifax to St. John's. The Pactolus was a ship of 653 tons burthen, and was chartered for the voyage to Halifax and St. John's by Messrs. Lamport and Holt, of Liverpool. She was until recently engaged in the trade between that port and Constantinople, and her career while in the trade was a chapter of mishaps, as she was never out of "lumber." The telegram makes no allusion to the fate of the crew.

NAVAN GREAT SEPTEMBER FAIR. The Freeman gives the following interesting par- ticulars concerning this fair, and the prices obtained for stock:— This was one of the ancient charter fairs of Navan, and, like all the other old fairs which are settled on fixed days, and not held at the whim of any individual, was exceedingly well at- tended by holders of stock, graziers, and purchasers. The Dublin and Drogheda Railway Company sent special trains in the fore- noon for the accommodation of passengers, and at an early hour I noticed on the ground a large number of extensive dealers from different parts of England, many from the north of Ireland, and not a few from Dublin and other parts of the country. Busi- ness commenced pretty briskly about eleven o'clock in the fat cattle department, the Northern dealers investing very liberally. There was alarge supply of beef, including many prime lots. Prices were rather in advance, best descriptions going readily at 63s, and in some instances at 658 per cvrt. Mr. Blake, of Dowdstown' sold an excellent lot of fat heifers to Mr. Thomas Carpenter' victualler, of Drogheda, at X19 each; Mr. William Reid, of Tara, sold half a score to Mr. Gordon, of Belfast, at £18103.; each; Mr. Matthew Read, of Garla Cross, sold a lot to a Belfast dealer at CIS each; Mr. Sherlock, of Kells, sent a prime lot home unsold, as did also the Rev. Mr. French, of Causetcwn; Mr. Gore, of Mount Ivers, sold a lot at £17108. Store cattle, particularly bullock", met an increased demand, and advanced prices for everything good. Bullocks ranged from £ 8 to £ 14 per head, and heiters from £ fi to jE13 each. There were very few dairy cows or springers, and high prices were obtained for all. In the sheep market the supply was fair for the season, and we noticed some very excellent lots of wedders, hoggets, and store lambs. Buyers were pretty active in making their pur- chases for shipment and for home consumption, and prices had a decided upward tendency from those of the September fair of 1862-say Id. per lb. on prime descriptions of wedder and ewe mutton. Store sheep sold at enhanced rates from last week. Store lambs may be quoted from 25s. to 33s. each, and store ewes from 35s. to 48s. each. There were few lots of anything worth removing for exportation left on the green at two o'clock, the fair, on the whole, being a good one. The horse fair was tolerably supplied, and some well-known buyers were on the ground. There were few first class nags offered, which sold at from L40 to X60 each; drafts sold at from £ 18 to £24. We had a preponderance of inferior farmers' horses and hacks, which sold at fluctuating prices, as such things generally do. The pig fair was only indifferently supplied. A number of English dealers were present, and bought up everything in the bacon and pork line at an early I'our. Prices looked higher. Numerous stores were actively bought, and small bormives met a ready sale at increased rates. Suckers and weanlings may be quoted at from 29s. to 3lg, each. The arrangements on the Dublin and Drogheda line for the con- veyance of stock were complete. During the afternoon some seventy wagona of live stock left the station for Dublin, Drogheda, and different parts of the north of Ireland. To Dundalk, Newry, and Belfast, not less than thirty wagons were dispatched from the fair. Nearly all the cereal crops are saved, and the weather continues most favourable for drawing them home. I see very few damaged potatoes. All the green crops look exceedingly well. The young turnips coming to market are the finest ever witnessed.

NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVAL. This festival commenced on Monday evening with Judas Macmbceus, a great work calling forth the energies of the principal vocalists, the band, and the painstaking chorus. The power of the last may be inferred from the fact that it comprises 76 trebles, 60 altos 64 tenors, and 75 basses, or 275 voices in all but these mere numbers would not count for much if laborious study and practice were not brought to bear also. Adopting a policy successfully carried out in 1860, the committee reduced the prices of admission to 5s. and 103. 6d.; and many persons had thus an opportunity of hearing a first-class performance of a standard oratorio which would net possibly have come under their notice under other circumstances. The hall presented a highly animated and attractive spec- tacle. The performance commenced with the Na- tional Anthem, in honour of which the audience rose en masse. The solos were sustained by Mdlle. Titiens Miss Palmer, Mr. Montem Smith, and Mr. Weiss; and the choruses, as was to be expected, were vigorous. The special feature of the evening was Judas Macca- bæus. It is fertile in recitatives, duets, and airs, in which openings are found for soprano, contralto, tenor, and bass; and the part of Judas allotted to Mr. Sims Reeves -that of Simon, his brother, being sustained by Mr. Weiss and Mr. Santley-was well designed to draw upon the powers of the great tenor, who appeared in excellent voice. Mdlle. Titiens gave the air, Pious orgies," with much feeling and devotional expression, and Mr. Weiss, as Simon, infused becoming energy and "a spirit into the stimulating "Arm, arm, ye brave." Mdlle. Titiens was charming in the air "From mighty kings he took the spoil"—so charming that she re- peated it. The air, Wise men flattering may deceive you," brought up Madame Lemmens-Sherrington, who created a favourable impression, as di& the duet sus- tained by Mdlle. Titiens and Miss Palmer, Oh never bow we down." Mr. Santley, it should have been stated, had previously given the air, "The Lord worketh wonders. In the third part a becoming ex- pression of devotional gratitude marked Miss Palmer's rendering of the air, "Father of heaven." The an^ ah-, So shall the lute," was allotted to Madame Lemmens-Sherrington, who took part with Miss Palmer and Mdlle. Titiens in the trio in honour of the conquering hero," in whose praise occur strains more familiar to English ears than perhaps any other portion of the whole work. In the exquisite duet, Oh, lovely peace," Madame Weiss and Miss Palmer appeared; while Mr. Santley wound up the evening with the air, "Rejoice, oh Judah," Mr. Weiss having previously given the stately" Peace to my country- men." The choruses were executed with the precision and vigour for which Norwich has attained some celebrity. The first miscellaneous concert on Tuesday evening was not attended quite so numerously as could have been desired, the side galleries and the patrons' seats presenting some rather awkward gaps, although the central area was well filled. The concert opened with the Pastoral Symphony of Beethoven. Mr. Sant- ley was warmly applauded for his spirited execution of the recitative and air, Oh ruddier. than the cherry," from Acis and Galatea. Madame Lemmens- Sherrington gave the air from the Amber Witch, My long hair is braided," with pleasing archness. Mr. Sims Reeves gave delightfully the song, "I had a message to send her," so delightfully that an encore was solicited; but Mr. Reeves is too old a hand to readily obey such behests, and he merely returned to the orchestra to bow his tha,nks. The remainder of the evening's performance does not call for any special remark. The staple features of Wednesday were Mr. Silas's new sacred drama, Joash, the Scene at the Gates of Nain," from Leslie's oratorio, Immanuel, and selec- tions from the Stabat Mater. In the sacred drama of Joash the words, with the- exception of portions from Scripture, are by Mr. S. Linley. The part of Joash was allotted to Miss Palmer, that of Jehoiada to Mr. Weiss, that of Zebiah to Madame Lemmens-Sherrington, and that of Atlialiah to Mdlle. Tietjens. The work created generally a fairly satisfactory impression, and the manner in which it was executed must have given satisfaction to Mr. Silas, who conducted in person. Madame Lemmens-Sherrington was especially pleasing and pathetic in the prayer, "Suffer not, 0 Lord," and Mdlle. Tietjens admirably expressed the mingled emotions of rage and fear in the air following the ruin of the ambitious schemes of Athaliah. The choruses reflected the painstaking study which the Norwich Choral Society has devoted to them. In the Scene at the Gates of Nain," the part of the widow was sustained by Miss Palmer; that of the son by Mr. Weiss; the solo, Jesus came nigh to the gate of the city," by Mr. Montem Smith, as was the suc- ceeding solo, "Jesus said." These were given with taste and delicacy, as was The Lord hath chastened me" (Mr. Weiss). The concluding solo, "I will extol thee, 0 God, my Lord," was sung by Miss Palmer, who then retired, however, for the morning, Mdlle. Trebelli taking her part in the Stabat Mater. >

DISEASED MUTTON. Tate, a butcher, carrying on business at No 23o, Bermondsey-street, was charged, at South- wark, before Mr. Combe, by Mr. Munro, the Sanitary Inspector of St. Olave's, with having in his possession three carcases and six sides of mutton in a deceased state, and unfit for human food. Mr. Munro said that on Thursday noon he was in the per- formance of his duty, when he entered Mr. Tate's shop, and at the rear he perceived three carcases of mutton hanging up ex- posed for sale. He examined them. and found that the meat was dreadfully poor and smelt horribly. Dr. Vinen, the medical officer of health, was present with him, and acting under his instructions he seized the meat and brought it for his worship's inspection. He added that on further inspection lie found six sides of mutton, all of which were in a very bad state. Dr. Vinen, the medical officcr of St. Olave's district, said that he accompanied Mr. Munro to the defendant's shop, and saw the muttou produced. It was diseased and totally unfit for human food. Mr. Combe, after looking at the meat, expressed his surprise that any respectable tradesman should have such filthy stuff in his possession. Air. Tate contended that the meat was not diseased. It cer- tainly was rather poor, but as good for food as any meat brought to market. c Dr. Vinen observed that he did not think it had ever been slaughterer, and as for nourishment, his worship could see that it was Nothing but skin and bone. Mr. Combe was of opinion that such filthy meat was dan- gerous to ttie health of the public, and he must tell the defendant that he was liable to penalties of ;MO for every piece, or he could sentence him to three months' hard labour without a penalty under the Act passed in July last. Mr. Munro said it was not his wish to press for a penalty, as the defendant most likely, as well as other tradesmen, was not aware of the existence of the Act of Parliament. He must, however, ask for an order to have it destroyed, with the costs. Mr. Combe accordingly made the order required, and the filthy-looking meat was removed. p

Clerical Appointment.—The Bishop of Salis- bury has collated the Rev. Robert George Swayne, M.A., of Wadham College, Oxford, late incumbent of Bussage, to the rectory of St. Edward's, Salisbury, rendered vacant by the resignation of the Rev. T. H. Tooke, M.A. Salt as a Manure.—Mr. Francis Mewburn, Larchfield, Darlington, has addressed a circular to the farmers in the county of Durham, and in Cleveland informing them that the Liverpool Chamber of Com- merce employed Dr. Phipson to report on salt as a manure, and the following were his conclusions:- "1. That without a due proportion of salt, plants cannot obtain their proper degree of perfection and this applies especially to colza, turnips, swedes, beet, spinach, wheat, oats, maize, and other grasses. 2. That salt is an essential constituent of plants as well as animals. 3. That the soil is constantly losing, by cultivation, a great amount of salt, taken away by the crops. 4. That none of the manures at present used (except a very few of the best super- phosphates) contain any. salt; even guano shows only four-tenths per cent. 5. That it is necessary to add salt at regular intervals to the soil, in some shape or other, if we wish to derive the greatest possible benefit by our crops. Mr. Mewburn believes that salt will be furnished in great abundance and cheap in the county of Durham and in Cleveland, and expresses a hope that t,h • farmers in those districts will test the doctor's "conclusions" by extensively using salt in their tillage land.

MISS RYE'S EMIGRANTS. Miss Rye, in a letter to a contemporary, dated from Kaiapoi, Canterbury, speaks disparagingly of the dilatoriness of the colonists in providing proper shelter and accommodation for female emigrants. She says :— All great bodies move slowly. There is nothing to report about the proposed Servants' Home, an,! I am awakening to the cruel conviction that my return to London will date about the middle of A.D. 1900. Daring the next ten years it is confidently anticipated that a resolution will be carried, not unanimously, but still carried, to the effect, that itis desirable to getthebest sort of girls to emigrate." During the following ten years it is believed that an opinion will be expressed to the effect, that having induced respectable women to come to the province, it is proper that some other provi- sion than the barracks (in which they have only aright to remain one week) should be made for them after land- ing." Five years will be required to combat the idea that, as the first colonists underwent great privations, dwelling in tents and dismal caves, so all emigrants are bound to follow in their steps, and be made as un- comfortable as present circumstances and the police will permit. It is a singular coincidence that all new books, watches, and the finer descriptions of merchan- dise are in this province exposed for awhile after land- ing to the action of the weather, and left (such is the singular consistency of this people) open in tents by the wayside, that they may be hardened and prepared for colonial use. At the end of the twenty years there can be no doubt that the educational question will be considered, it will then be remembered that governesses as a body are poor, and, the motto of Christ Church being "Not given to hospitality," that it will be ad- visable some distinct provision should be made for the reception of teachers. Had I the longevity of a Wandering Jew promised me, perhaps at the end of these thirty years I might be sufficiently interested in the subject to report the progress of the plan. What Men can do in the Canterbury Settlement. Miss Rye, evidently annoyed that her plans are not more generally adopted, says :— I shall now wander into the plains, and tell you, if you care to listen, what men may do if they come to Canterbury; and, first, I shall say a few words about the land question, for I feel sure that there are many persons in England who will be glad to receive a little definite information. The coast line of Canterbury is, as you are most probably aware, upwards of 150 miles in length, and the level plains of the province contain over two millions of acres of land. This acreage does not, of course, include the lands lying on the west side of the snowy ranges, that long line of clay and slaty hills which forms the western boundary of the long tract of level land known as the Canterbury plains. The western coast is destined some day, and that a not very distant one, I believe, to form another and separate province. From all sides we learn here that the land is rich to repletion in metals and timber; the coal is described as cropping out in many places, and to be of excellent quality, and there are very strong suspicions that gold is there too in abundance. At any rate, it is known in this village that two men who have comfortable homes and abundance of work are working claims more than satisfactorily during this, the winter season; and when it is known that there is only one pass (the Teremakau) through this Backbone range from Canterbury into the west coast, and remembered that the snow lies thick on the range,. and that all provisions must be carried either on a packhorse or a man's own back, it will readily be seen that there must be some very strong inducement to draw these men for months together westward, and that it is not improbable that a rush may occur towards- the spring. The timber is described as remark- ably fine, but very dense, and it is expected that an immigration of sawyers, miners, and diggers will take place direct from England and Australia. To return to the land in the plains. I believe every acre is appropriated, and that some years ago. Formerly, if a gentleman wanted a run, he merely mado ap- plication for a certain definite piece of unoccupied land, which became his-that is, devoted to his use— on the easy condition that he stocked a 20,000 section with 1,000 sheep within a .certain time, an intending station-master paid a certain sum down as a guarantee for the fulfilment of his pledge, and the bargain was concluded. Now, a gentleman buys any run that may be in the market, and of course pays in proportion to its advancement and the improvements that may have been made on it. But no run is a freehold, and the station-masters are simply tenants on sufferance,- with permission to buy their own land if they wish. All land in this province is t2 per acre, and any man, no matter how mean his birth, or what his occupation, can purchase any portion of land that suits his pur- pose.. Should any man, however, select a piece of land that had been improved by the station-master, the latter is immediately informed of the fact, and his right to become the first purchaser is admitted and six weeks allowed for the completion of the sale. Should he, however, fail or refuse to fulfil the purchase, tho stranger steps in and com- pletes the bargain, on one condition — viz., it is imperative that he buys twenty acres of land, that being the smallest country section sold. The country is almost entirely a grass country, the plains being covered with tussock, a brown, reedy-looking grass, that grows in clumps to the height of nearly a foot. There is a small English-looking sort of short grass to be seen in places here and there at the foot of the tussock, but it is scanty and irregular in such places perhaps, a sheep could be kept to every acre, but as a rule it takes two and even three acres of tussock grass to keep one sheep. I have been told that, owing to the high winds, it is nearly impossible to sow English grass seed; but since hearing that report I have seen several acres of land laid down in good green English grass, and hear that' the possibility of carrying this put on a large scale is likely to be one of the most important features of New Zealand pastoral life. The plains from the sea-board of the east coast (there is a 40 mile and a 90 mile sandy sea beach, divided byBanka s peninsula) to the base of the snowy range rise no less than 900 feet in the 50 miles; while the rivers are not only continually changing their beds, but the beds of the rivers are themselves considerably higher than the surrounding country. The latter fact may perhaps be accounted for by their being mountain torrents, dragging down from the- ranges the debris and rubble of the rocks. The beds being, however, fuller of boulders than debris would seem to upset this idea, and there must be many tor- rents from many mountains in Europe and elsewhere bringing as much dirt in their descent, and yet flowing through land lower than the surrounding country. The change in the course of the rivers, always near their mouths, has been attributed to the setting in of the violent gales from the south-west, which have driven the sand across their mouths, barring their outlet, and so damming the waters that at last they have broken out and formed fresh channels a little to the north; for though some of these small rivers have changed their course four times, yet the move has always been to the north at each separate move. There is really very little swamp land in Canterbury, fortunately, as drain tiles are X12 per 1,000, a fact which precludes any of Mr. Parke's schemes being carried into effect, though his plans are well known. and discussed here. I am told by competent judges that when labour is something under eight shillings a day, or one shilling an hour, as at present, farming will pay, and I scarcely like to contradict my in- formant but the land in part seems to me stony, cold,. and poor-well enough for sheep and cattle, but not likely to carry corn. Talking of wages, a good story was told me the other day of a new chum," a single man, who came to be hired. His agricultural and pastoral experience was nil, and his wages at home about 7s. a week; but he was a hand," and "would work for the gemman if his place worn't too far up country." "What wages ? "Why, now, measter, I'll be asking .8150 per nnem, and I be're going too marry zoon, and my missus 'ull want rations, and sharn't let ear work." "Oh," said the master, "stop a bit; I think I'll marry, and you shall take the station and give me < £ 150 a year; and my wife sha'n't work, that will suit me best." And so man and master parted, no more being said, an example I shall surely do well to follow. « —

A Blind Woman Burnt to Death.—One evening last week, Albinia Shaw, who was blind, was seated near the kitchen fire, when a red-hot iron fell on her dress, setting it on fire. She was so dreadfully injured as to necessitate her removal to the London Hospital, where she died on Sunday, after enduring great suffering. 'b