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SPORTS AND PASTIMES.
SPORTS AND PASTIMES. VISCOUNT FALMOUTH has accepted the Stewardship of Doncaster September Meeting, in the place of the Earl of Annesley, who-retires by rotation. AN otter was discovered under a bridge near Per- ranwharf, Cornwall, one day last week, and a hunt immediately commenced. The otter being driven to land was seized by the tail by one of the lads and killed. It was a bitch, and weighed nearly 141b. THE fashionable game of croquet, which has been so generally adopted throughout tHe country, and which has been looked upon as quite a novel amusement, now appears to be nothing more than the revived, though modernised, game of mall," introduced to England in the reign of James 1. THE Satherlandshire challenge silver bugle, given by her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, the Countess of Cromarty, and the ladies of the county, haying beex won three years in succession at the annual com- petitions at Dunrobin by the Dornooh Company, now becomes their solo property. IN speaking of the points of a St. Bernard dog, a correspondent of the Field says :—"About eleven years ago I was at the Hospice. The monks had three dogs not for sale.' They told me I could obtain a pure-bred whelp at a village near. I did so for about 50f. Wherever I went the people recog- nised it, and actually fed and cared for it, frequeutly for nothing. The colour of those of the Hospice and of that I brought to England was deep orange, white legs, chest, and belly (flecked with both red and white on legs and nose), deep set eyes, small ears well set down, black from the eyes half way to the nose, then white' flecked, and white streak on the forehead ex- tending to the white collar round the neck. This white streak is considered a great mark of purity, and the monks pointed it out to me as agreeing with a white braid they wear down bacic of their dross. Old Barry was brindled, and I saw a dog of that colour, which I should say was pure and very fine, at a late dog-show. I think he got the first prize." A MOST happy-looking couple, well known at dif- ferent race meetings, and having for their home abode one of the prettiest places in Norfolk, have attained a certain notoriety and much favour with the great by their peculiar breed of Skye terriers. One of these was presented to the Princess of Wales soon after her marriage, and although her Royal Highness intimated her disinclination to accept presents, still she could not resist the charms of the rare little animal whom she condescended to accept, and in compliment to his black muzzle she named him Mufti. Mufti's own brother, with another intensely black muzzle and the whitest of teeth, they presented to the Countess of Stamford, whom, in honour of his near and illustrious relative, she named Prince. A DEPUTATION from the Thames Angling Preserva- tion Society, consisting of Messrs. S. Ponder, Frank Buckland, R. M. Smyth, J. R. Berry, and J. B. Smith, had an interview on Monday last, by appointment, with the Conservators of the River Thames, for the purpose of making application for the erection of fish ladders at the weirs of Teddington and Moulsey Locks. The deputation were very cordially received, and upon the object being explained and illustrated by Mr. Frank Buckland, instructions were forthwith given by 'I the TIoard of Conservators to their engineers to fit two ladders to each of the weirs, on the principle ex- plained by the deputation. BILLIARDS IN AUSTRALIA.—The Melbourne Argus says:—Since his arrival by the Great Britain, Mr. John Roberts, the champion billiard player of England, has been engaged in a series of interesting matches in Melbourne and Ballarat. The first game in wbiih Mr. Roberts was engaged was with Mr. John Lamb, who has long been regarded as the best player in the colony. The game was 1,000 up, and Mr. Lamb re- ceived 350 points. The result was an easy victory for Mr. Roberts, but the game was an unusually long one, play commencing at eight o'clock, and finishing at midnight. When the last stroke was made, Roberts's score stood 1,000 against Lamb's 743, the latter having thus made 393 in addition to the points given him. In the next match, Mr. Lamb was again the opponent of the champion, receiving on this occasion 400 points out of 1,000. Fortune once more declared in favour of the champion, and Lamb was beaten when he had scored 409 more than his allowance, the game finishing Roberts 1,000, and Lamb 809. In the third match, Mr. Roberts was opposed by Mr. Bergin, the lessee of the billiard-rooms at the Albian, and a very good player. The champion gave 500 out of 1,000, and even with that odds to start with his victory was an easy one. Bergin had only added 347 to his points when the champion scored the game. The fourth match was played with Mr. Norcliffe, who has accompanied Mr. Roberts from England as agent, and again the champion gave his opponent 500 points to start with. But victory declared for Mr. Roberts: and at the close the game stood-the champion 1,001, and Norcliffe 738. The next match was with a "gentleman amateur," who, like Norcliffe and Bergin, received 500 points out of 1,000. The amateur, however, although a fine player, was as easily disposed ef as the others, and when the game finished Roberts had made 1,002 against his opponent's 797. In this match Mr. Roberts made the largest break which he has as yet obtained in the colony, namely 186,174 of which were secured by his famous spot stroke," the red ball having been pocketed 58 times in succession. The next match was played with Mr. Lamb, who received 450 points out of 1,000; bat again the champion was victorious, the score at the close being- Roberts 1;000, and Lamb 744. In the next match Norcliffe opposed the champion, and received 250 points out of 500. The result was in favour of Mr. Roberts by 37 points, the score being-Roberts 500, and Norcliffe 463. A match at pyramids between Roberts and Nor- cliffe followed, in which the champion was victorious. The next match was with Mr. Norcliffe, who received 600 out of 1,000. This was a very interesting game, Norcliffe having raised his score to 999 before the champion succeeded in scoring the game. Mr. Roberts then played a Mr. Cox, whom he defeated easily, al- though 600 points out of 1,000 were given. The score at the end stood—Roberts 1,000, and Cox 837. Again the champion played his agent, and won easily, although giving 600 points; but on the next occasion on which he played, fortune, for the first time, de- clared against him. This match was with his old opponent, Mr. Lamb, who, with 500 points in his favour to start with, contrived to win the game. The result, however, must be regarded as simply an acci- dent, since there is no reason to doubt that the cham- pion is able to give even so good a player as Lamb still greater Of1ds. The game at the close was-Roberts 622, and Lamb 996. In his first match at Ballarat Roberts was again defeated; a local player — Mr. Wright-having, with 500 points given, been able to secure the victory. At the close the game stood- Roberts 876, and Wright 1,000. The champion after- wards played his agent, OR terms similar to those in the games in Melbourne, and won his matches with ease. In a second match with Mr. Wright, who again received 500 points, the champion took his revenge, and achieved a comparatively easy victory.
Hints on Gardening.I
Hints on Gardening. I Owing to the wonderfully fine weather with which we are favoured, flower gardens are still comparatively gay. The beauty of the pelargoniums, especially cybister and stella (nosegays), is as yet, in some cybister and steila (nosegays), is as yet, in some places, but little impaired; a small-flowered single yellow French marigold is still in charming condition, as are likewise dahlias, most of the verbenas, and gazama splendens. Keep all in connection with these out-door floral decorations therefore neat and clean, so as to set them off to as much advantage as possible. Let weeds, still troublesome, be removed both from borders and walks, and keep the latter well rolled. All preparations for bulb planting should now be for- warded as much as possible, in order that active ope- rations in reference to these matters may be coom- menced as soon as frost has put an end to the beauty of the bedding plants.
Flower Garden and Plant Houses.
Flower Garden and Plant Houses. In cool conservatories and greenhouses damp or in- sects soon do irreparable injury to soft-wooded plants at this season, and these must be attended to if the plants are to be wintered in first-rate condition. CALCEOLARIAs.-These are subject to the attacks of thrips, unless afforded a moist atmosphere; they must therefore be narrowly watched, and fumigated lightly two or three evenings successively if this pest makes its appearance, keeping the atmosphere moist and giv- ing air on every favourable opportunity to prevent the foliage from flagging. CINERARIAs.-Plants for late blooming must now be kept cool and airy, and should not be allowed to suffer from want of pot-room. These must not be trusted in cold pits after this season, for they cannot endure frost without injury. Plants intended to flower early should be encouraged with a gentle heat, keep ing them near the glass and admitting air whenever it can be done safely. CROCUSES.—These may be planted whenever the weather is favourable, provided beds are ready for their reception; they like a deep, light, rich, sandy soil, but will thrive in an ordinary soil or situation. In planting, the bulbs should be covered from two to three inches with fine mould; and if an effective dis- play during the first season is desired, plant thickly- not more than two inches apart. For edging borders and beds the crocus is excedingly useful; and, where planted in lines along the margin of walks, or ia clumps of three, six, twelve, or more bulbs each, and allowed to remain in the ground for several years, the effect of the masses of flowers which they produce is all that can be desired. We have seen a very effective dis- play in a flower garden in March, produced by each bed having a broad edging of crocus, the colours being nicely arranged and contrasted. This may be secured without interfering with either the spring or summer occupants; for the bulbs may be planted close to the outside of the bed, where they will scarcely be in the way, either in digging or in planting. Unless the bulbs become too numerous, and the leaves spread over more space than it may be desirable to have covered with them, they should not be disturbed, as they bloom more profusely when well established. Care must be exercised, how- ever, to protect them from mice, which are exceedingly partial to crocuses, especially in winter. HYACINTHS.—For blooming in. doors, either in pots or in any of the various contrivances that are used instead of pots, strong bulbs should be selected and planted in succession; place them in any dark cool situation for three or four weeks, to allow of their making roots, before exciting them into growth. If pots are used—and these are doubtless the best, if not the most ornamental-use good rich, sandy soil, and secure perfect drainage; for a liberal supply of water is required during the blooming period, and if the drainage is defective the soil is very apt to become soddened. PELARGONIUMS.—These should be kept rather eool and dry, givihg whatever water may be necessary on the mornings of fine days, so that all superfluous moisture may be dried up before the evening, avoiding the use of fire heat except when necessary to prevent the temperature falling below 40°, or to dispel damp when this cannot safely be done by giving air. RosEs.-Examine those on pillars and trellis, and if the weather continues favourable, see if the soil wants renewing or the kinds changing. For-choice sorts roomy holes should be made capable of contain- ing three or four barrow-loads of well prepared soil. Turfy loam of good quality is the chief thing; to this add a portion of rich rotten manure, and, if at hand, a little sandy peat or leaf-mould. -Gardeners' Chronicle.
TOPICS OF THE WEEK. -+--
TOPICS OF THE WEEK. -+-- OFFICIALS IN THE BANKRUPTCY COURTs.-We read in the Times of Thursday :—" In April last the Lord Chancellor, displeased with the accounts of the official assignees and messengers of the Court of Bank- ruptcy for the Leeds district, requested Mr. Commis- sioner Ayrton, one of the commissioners there, and Mr. Harding, the well-known London accountant, to institute a rigid examination and scrutiny of all their books, and to report to him on the subject. The result of this investigation turned out to be of so very lamen- table a character that his lordship, immedid.tely it was made known to him, followed up his request by issuing an order directing a similar proceeding as to the accounts of every official assignee and messenger in all the district courts in the country, with power also to inquire into the manner in which the bills of costs were taxed by the registrars of the various courts." That order was issued the 20th of May, and by it Mr. Commissioner Ayrton and Mr. Harding were empowered to make farther inquiry into the accounts of the official assignees and messengers for the Court of Bankruptcy of the Leeds district, and also to investigate and make inquiry into such matters in the Courts of Bankruptcy at Birming- ham, Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle, and to report fully thereon. This inquiry is completed so far as the courts at Leeds, Birming- ham, Manchester, and Liverpool are concerned, and, according to our contemporary, the result is that, besides the discovery of many very gross irregularities, it has been found that large sums of money have been improperly retained, both by the official assignees and by the messengers, which ought to have been paid over to the Chief Registrar's account—sums, we are told, already amounting in the aggregate to upwards of £ 14,000." Some of the evidence will be published shortly, and it will doubtless form the subject of discussion in the next session of Parlia- ment. It appears to us that investigation into the irregularities of the Bankruptcy Courts has only been too long delayed, and, in undertaking the task at this late period, the Lord Chancellor committed two grave mistakes. In the first place, he ought to have com- menced the inquiry with the London courts, as the recent case of Johnson shows the necessity that exists for investigation here, and, instead of entrusting the difficult and delicate inquiry to one commissioner and one accountant, two commissioners and two account- ants of high standing ought to have been appointed. The extraordinary revelations already made render further investigation indispensable, and we shall take another opportunity of dealing with the subject. In the meantime, the Times deserves the thanks of the community for exposing some of the irregularities practised by these bankruptcy officials.-The Press. LORD STANLEY AT LYNN.-Lord Stanley laid before his constituents a bundle of opinions and proposals all moderate, all reasonable, and all more or less likely to succeed. His views on finance in particular are as sound as they are courageous. The very deficiency of his imagination makes him lucid, for he cannot bear to see any subject or plan surrounded with the soft haze which the imaginative love; to leave any pros- pect half-defined, any menace lying in the shadow. Fearing his constituency very little and his party not at all, he calmly tells the people of Lynn that he ex- pects frequent surpluses, and that he is prepared to simplify the tariff still farther by taking off the taxes on corn, timber, and other of the few articles still remaining on the list, thus giving up the last relics not only of the Protectionist system but of the Protectionist faith. Unmindful of agricultural meet- ings, he announces distinctly that he shall not support the repeal or immediate reduction of the malt tax, that abolition would reduce the revenue from spirits as well as cost .£6,000,000, and that tea has in his opinion a preferential claim. What the Conservatives of Essex will think of the dofiche of cold water he has poured over their pet enthusiasm we are unable to predict, but, if we understand them, they will endorse most emphatically the remark of our Indian friend. Nor will the Conservati ve middle class of the towns, whose representative he really is, be much better pleased with his sound apology for retain- ing the income-tax. They hate it not for its amount, but because it is levied in a worrying way, by a self- assessment which tries their consciences, and an ex- posure of their affairs, which is to a reserved race as annoying as cross examination on their religious creed. Lord Stanley makes no remark upon all that, refers only to the weight of the tax, and defends it as abso- lutely necessary to a just balance between taxation on property and taxation on wages. Nothing can be sounder than his argument, though it lacks the feli- citous touches, the popular illustrations Mr. Gladstone or Mr. Cobden would have given it; only it does not strike the real point-the sore feeling produced by the mode of collection. It convinces people that they must submit, but it does not reconcile them to snb- mission. So with his remarks on the insurance duty. Lord Stanley holds the tax bad, proposes to reduce it to sixpence, and then suggests that, with that low ngure, the exemption enjoyed by farming stock a^d machinery may as well be abolished. The thought that the farmer cliags to his exemption as a bit of justice, as a little relic of privilege, aa something worth the money twice over, because he is in other respects unduly put upon," never orosses his mind. There is the expedient course, and what matter non- sensica.1 feelings of that kind ? Of course as a statist he is quite right, but a statesman would have re- membered also that votes are not unfrequen^-y alienated by proposals which, statistically, are un- answerable. And lastly, the same defect of imagination pervades his able summary of the work pressing immediately to be done. We must, he says, "con- solidate and simplify our cumbrous and complicated law; do away with the purchase of commissions, at least in the higher grades of the army;" solve that intricate problem the law of settlement; utilise the vast funds at the disposal of the charities' reform "alicensing system which satisfies nobody; ^regulatemarriagelawsinlrelandandScotlandmake private legislation more satisfactory;" amend the patent system;" and remove "the inconvenience of having cases tried over again in private in the Home Office after they have been publicly tried by a judge and jury." Nothing can be more reasonable than the bill of fare, and nothing less appetising. It is all cold mutton, very good wholesome food no doubt, and plenty of it; but then even hungry men do not look very eagerly forward to cold mutton alone. In the whole speech, masterly as we acknowledge it to be, powerful as must be the mind of the speaker who pre- pared it, there is not one flash of genius, one scintilla of fancy, one ray of wit, one sentence indicating that Lord Stanley understands even the meaning of humour. The British Association when lately discussing the diet of Englishmen demonstrated that oatmeal was the very best food for man. It contains most carbon and most nitrogen, most of the muscle-producing fibre, and most of the quality which eneourages the growth of bone. It is as cheap as good wheat and as easy to cook, requires fewer condiments and leaves the sense of having been fed, which men who work with their hands so keenly appreciate. The solitary objection to it is that Englishmen do not like it. Lord Stanley's speeches are like that-the very oatmeal of politics.- Spectator.
OUR MISCELLANY. -.&--
OUR MISCELLANY. -.& High Life Below Stairs.-The late Marquis of Lansdowne always loved to see his servants and those about him enjoy themselves thoroughly, and he would occasionally stroll past the servants' hall and delight in listening to their unsophisticated merriment. One Sunday he was passing at the dinner hour, when he heard them give their usual Sabbath toast, "The health of our noble master." After this had been received with due honour, And now," said a voice, let us drink to our noble selves." Upon which the old Marquis put his head in at the door, and, much to their surprise, called out, A pretty noble set of you, indeed! Clerical Wit.-At a recent archiepiscopal dinner it is reported that the Archbishop, addressing the Bishop of Cork, said, "Although you have been made Bishop of Cork you should not neglect to pass the bottle." To which the Bishop of Cork replied, I see you wish to draw me out." ThS is not exactly what occurred; if it were it would not be worth the telling, for it would be only a very trite and hackneyed repar- tee. What really occurred was this: My Lord of Cork," said Archbishop Whately, "you stop the bottle." If I do," replied John of Cork, I ought to be screwed." What were Her Eyes Like, Poet, Say?— What were her eyes like, poet, say ? They looked through the silken lashes, Like the blue of a bright Italian day, Or star that through darkness nasheg What were her lips like, poet, say ? Like beautiful buds a-growing On one fair stem in the month of May, Only more perfume throwing What were her cheeks like, poet, say ? Like the bloom the peach reoeivetli, Which the amorous sun on an autumn day Doth kiss, till a blush he leaveth F" What were her teeth like, poet, say P "They seemed, with lips asunder, Like caverns of pearl that hidden lay, Or half shown to excite man's wonder —James Bruton, in Sunday Tinws." A digger's Song.- Say, darkies, hab you seed de Massa Wid de muftash on his face, Gwo long de road some time dis morning, Like he gwine ter leab de place ? He toted 'way a hoss and saddle An' forgot ter leab de pay; So I spec' he'm jined de big skedaddle; I spec' he'm run away. De Massa ran, ha i ha! De darky stay, ho! ho! It mus' be now de kingdom com:n' An' de year of Jubilo. He leff ahind some likaly darkies A sufferin' bad wid grief, Fur dat dar high and mighty misaa. Hab turn a mean horse-tief! ° Dey greab as ef dey was his chillen, .?, An' I haff suspec' dey 'ar; Far dey's his nose, his big base fiddle, An' his reddish, wooly ha'r. Do Massa run, ha! ha!—&c. &c. -Down to Tennessee and back by way of Richmond, by Edmund Kirke. The Tannel through the Alps.—Before the tunnel of Mont Cenis was undertaken, the most daring engineers did not venture cn the construc- tion of a tanuel one-fifth of its length; and they were especially careful, by vertical shafts, to provide for ventilation. It was considered that, without such a precaution, even the tunnels then executed would be, at least, highly injurious to human life. Yet Bot only will the Alpine tunnel be of very great length, but ventilation by vertical shafts is out of the question, on account of the enormous height of the mountains above. Ordinary tunnels are excavated simultaneously in various parts. Such a mode of proceeding was impossible in this case, and for the same reason that ventilation cannot be obtained by means of vertical shafts-the altitude of the mass above. Hence, if the boring were effected in the usual way, the work would be exceedingly tedious; it could not be completed in less than thirty-six years, on account of the imper- feet ventilation, and the limited number of men that could be employed upon it. These difficulties have, however, been overcome. Air, compressed by water power, obtained at each extremity, is driven through tubes to the farthest portions of the excavations; and thus, not only is pure air supplied in abundance, bet motive power. IS conveyed to the very place where the drills are at work. At the northern side there,are twelve of these drills mounted in a strong movable frame; at the southern, somewhat fewer. Baeh of them revolves as ic strikes the roc", the effect being produced both by tapping and boring. Each system of drills can be applied to the face of the rook at any desired place. They form an opening ten feet wide and ten feet deep; this is enlarged to the proper site by the workmen, after which the walls and vault are constructed. The work proceeds at about a yard a day at each end-that is, about twice as fast as if carried on by manual labour alone. At this rate, twelve years will be required for its completion; but it is expected so to accelerate it after a while, that it will be finished in seven. About 1.700 yards are already executed on the French side, about 1,200 on the Italian. It may well be supposed that to advance with such accuracy that the two, portions of the tun- nel may at last exactly meet, ia a matter requiring great care and ingenuity. Instances have occurred, with comparatively short tunnels, in which the exca^ vators have passed each other by. This would be a very serious thing in the present case; but it is ren- dered impossible by extremely simple means. A lamp is placed in the centre of the rock at the inner ex- tremity of the excavation, and signal posts in the proper direction on the mountain above. The tunnel is known to run is exactly the required direction when the lamp and the posts are shown by a theodo- lite to be in the same vertical plane; that is, when the signal posts are seen if the instrument is raised, and the lamp if it is depressed-its motion" being, so to speak, in a truly perpendicular direction. When the work is completed, the. Alps will be passed in half an 1 hour.-Prom CasselVs Illustrated Family Paper.
THE COURT. -+--
THE COURT. -+-- THE Queen and the other members of the Royal Family have been in the enjoyment of excellent health during the Royal visit to Scotland. Her Majesty was prevented taking her usual exercise during the past week in consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather. Her Majesty has this week returned to Windsor Castle, accompanied by the junior members of the Royal Family, including the infant son of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, who was conveyed to Balmoral, accompanied by the Countess De Grey, on his arrival from Denmark. A HULL paper states that when Prince Victor Albert was landed, a Mrs. Davis presented the infant Prince with a stuffed lamb," and that the cow which was provided on board the Salamis for the purpose of supplying his Royal Highness with new milk has been purchased by Mr. Alderman Abbey. The same paper contains the announcement that a confectioner pre- sented a box of toffy to Mr. Norton, the Queen's messenger, for the young Prince. THE Prince of Walea is expected in England very shortly, and will visit Earl Derby at Knowsley, from whence the Liverpoolians trust the Royal pair will pay them a visit. PRINCE ALFRED will reside at Bonn, in the college where the late Prince Consort resided while, he was receiving his education at the University, where he will remain at least twelve months to finish his eduoa tion. The Prince, who, with his suite, arrived at Windsor Castle on the Saturday previous to her Majesty's departure from Scotland, visited the Chapel Royal of St. George on Sunday morning, and remained during the service. His Royal Highness occupied the Prince of Wales's stall among the seats of the Kaights of the Order of the Garter. The prayers were in- toned and the lessons read by the Rev. Mr. Tapsfield, minor canon; the Hon. and Rev. E. Moore officiating at the communion. The Hon. and Rev. E. Moore also preached the sermon. The musical portion of the service was executed by the gentlemen and boys composing the choir of St. George's Chapel, Dr. Elvey presiding at the organ.
POLITICAL GOSSIP. -+--
POLITICAL GOSSIP. -+-- WE are informed that Mr. Roebuck is so seriously indisposed that he has been compelled to forego two engagements to appear in public-one at Sheffield and the other at Huddersfield. IT is said that the late Duke of Newcastle was always fond of journals and journalists, and spent a heap of money on the defunct Morwng Chronicle. He and Mr. Sydney Herbert wrote many of the leaders. WE regret to learn, says the Dublin Express, that the sanguine hopes of the Earl of Carlisle's speedy recovery, which have been recently expressed by some of our London contemporaries, are not indulged in by those who have had later communications from Castle Howard. LORD PALMERSTON completed his fourscore years last week. He was born on the 20th of October, 1784, and entered Parliament in 1806, in his twenty-second year. He has, therefore, been fifty-eight years in Parliament. Of these forty-six have been passed in office, and for seven of them he has held the post of Prime Minister, during which time more patronage has fallen to his lot than 11 probably ever before fell to be administered by a minister of the Crown. "IT is my misfortune," says Lord Lyttelton in a letter to the Times, that whatever I say in public is always turned into nonsense by the reporters. It is my own fault, from speaking too rapidly and indis- tinctly." Open confession is good for the soul. CAPTAIN CHARLES G-EPP ROBINSON, the senior officer on the active list of eaptains, will be placed on the list of active flag officers when the First Lord shall have selected an officer from the active list of admirals who is willing to accept the retired service pension of ,6150, vacant by the death last week of Vice-Admiral Henry Francis Greville, C.B. IT is claimed for Lord Clarendon by his friends that during his recent journey to Vienna he did not speak in an official way at anyone time, and they hope he was not in anyway officious." He merely exchanged his current coin of political pounds, shillings, and pence against Austrian political ducats, florins, and kreutzers, talking of the political state of Europe with freedom, but simply as a private gentleman. THE visiting justices of the Derby County Gaol have tendered their resignation, on the ground that the refusal of the magistrates to ratify their recommenda- tion for the dismissal of Mr. Gisborne, the gaol sur- a-eon, who had given evidence in favour of Townley's insanity, implied a want of confidence in them which materially lessened their influence in the gaol. Some discussion arose, which resulted in the visiting justices consenting to act for another quarter, in anticipation that, in the meantime, Mr. Gisborne would express his sorrow for what he had said and written. SEVERAL appeals are set down for hearing from the decisions of the revising barristers before the Court of Common Pleas. The question is likely to be raised when a person is entitled to be put on the register- whether he can claim at twenty or twenty-one. Be- fore qualified a year would elapse. ACCORDING to some rumours, Mr. Odo Russell is expected on a visit to England to put the Government au fit with the intentions of the Emperor with re- ward to Austria—namely, that he is to have the Alps to the Po, Genoa, and Sardinia in compensation for Venice. These social earthquakes which destroy land- marks are rather terrific to hear about. I PARLIAMENTARY CHANGES. — Although three months have not elapsed since the prorogation of par- liament, changes of considerable importance have taken place in both houses of the legislature. In the House of Lords, at the commencement of the next session, Lord Harry Va.ne, formerly M.P. for Hastings, will take his seat as Duke of Cleve- land; Viscount Boringdon will be entitled to take his seat as the Earl of Morley, the late earl having died on August 28. The Earl of Lin- coln will take his seat as Duke of Newcastle. Viscount Chelsea, for several years a member of the House of Commons, will take his seat as the Earl of Cadogan, in the room of the late Earl, who died on the 15th of September. Lord Rodney died on the 19th of August, and is succeeded by his son George Bridges Harley Dennett, who will not be able to take his seat until 1878, when he will be of age. In the House of Com- mons there are also some changes. Mr. Divett, M.P. for Exeter, died on the day after the prorogation, and his seat has been filled by the election of Lord Courte- nay, eldest son of the Earl of Devon. Lord Harry Vane's accession to the dukedom of Cleveland caused avacanyin the representation of the borough of Hast- ings, and his seat has been filled by the election of the Hon. George Waldegrave Leslie, a younger brother of the Bishop of Carlisle. By the death of Mr. Morris a vacancy has been occasioned in the representation of Carmarthen, which will be filled up in the course of the next fortnight. In the representation of Here- fordshire a vaeancy will shortly be officially declared, in consequence of the retirement from public life of Lord William Graham. ELECTION GossIP.-It is asserted upon pretty good authoritv that the Chancellor of the Exchequer ex- pects to "be again returned, at the next election, for the University of Oxford. It is believed, however, that the Conservatives will exercise all their power in opposing him. The champion at present spoken to contest the University with Mr. Gladstone is Mr. Gathorne Hardy.-A requisition is in course of signa- ture among the electors of Reigate, soliciting the Hon. Edward John Monson to offer himself at the coming election as a candidate1 to represent the borough in Parliament.—A section of the Conservatives of the borough of Buckingham, who are dissatisfied with Mr. Hubbard, are desirous of inviting P. Fitzgerald, Esq., of Upton-house, near Kineton, Warwickshire, to become a candidate at the next election. The present Liberal member, Sir H. Verney, Bart., and the Hon. R. Cavendish, who_ contested the borough at the last election, will again come forward. -As an impression prevails that Mr. Henley will not again seek the suffrages of the electors of the county of Oxford, we have made inquiries on the subject and are credibly informed that should no unforeseen cir- cumstance arise the right hon. gentleman will again consent to be put in nomination at the dissolution of Parliament. Mr. Henley, who since his domestic affliction has lived a more retired life and not participated in the business of the county, is, we are happy to say, in the enjoyment of good health, and from the kindly feeling entertained towards him by all shades of politicians in the county there is not the slightest donht of his return at the head of the poll. -Sir Joseph Russell Bailey, the new candidate for Herefordshire, brought forward in the Conservative interest to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Lord Wm. Graham, has issued an address to the con- stituency, in which he says:—The recollection of the I confidence you placed in my late father, during the period of his political connection with the county, induces me to request a similar favour for myself. My I opinions are Conservative. I am willing to consider any proposition which may be brought forward for amelioration in our constitution, which would not endanger the stability of that. excellent form of government under which we have the happiness to live. Without tying myself to any particular measures, as questions arise I will consider their pro- bable effect on the general welfare of country. MR. WILLIAM PHILLIPS, one of the Liberal candi- dates for the borough of Finsbury, has issued a new address on his return to town. Mr. Phillips takes this course lest his silence should be misconstrued, as, since the general election will not take place this year, he does not propose to trouble the electors un- necessarily. He states that his committee has 600 members, and he is confident that he need not fear a contest. Mr. Phillips says:—"I ama thorough, earnest, and independent Liberal, and young enough to devote to your service all my best years. I come forward under a sense of duty, desiring only to employ my time and talents (such as they are) usefully and beneficially. If it should be your pleasure to elect me in an honourable manner, I shall deem it a real honour to serve you; but if this position is only to be won by a lavish expenditure of money, by opening fifty taverns and calling them committee-rooms, by tall-talk and flowery promises, and by attempting to satisfy the exactions of the orotchetmongers) and semi-professional wire-pullers of the borough, then I must be content (having discharged what I consider a responsibility) to stand aside, and wait for the time when constituencies will be more anxious to secure disinterested and working representatives than they are now."
LITERATURE AND THE ARTS. ,--+--,
LITERATURE AND THE ARTS. --+- THE winter exhibition at the French Gallery of Pictures in London opens to the public on Monday, the 31st of October. THE Grosvenor-road. opposite to Chester Castle, has been selected by the Town Council of Chester as the site for Baron Marochetti's statue of Lord Comber- mere. A DONATION of fourteen water-colour copies from the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds has recently been added to the Salford Museum. They are the work of Mr. Samuel La Resche, an artist, who has recently be- come resident in Manchester. THE lovers of art will be delighted to see the trea- sures from Naples which will be exhibited at the British Museum. They consist of the statues from the Farnese Palace at Rome, recently purchased from his Majesty the ex-King of Naples. These statues are nine in number. It is proper to mention that this acquisition is mainly due to the friendly intervention of Mr. William Story, tve well-known American sculptor at Rome, whose" Sibyl" and Cleopatra were so much and deservedly admired at the recent International Exhibition. A LARGE medal has been struck for private circula- tion complimentary to Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., and Lady Montefiore. On one'side are the profiles of the esteemed baronet and his lady, and on the other, in a brilliantly-executed scroll of flowers, is a memento in Hebrew, recalling the places and giving the dates when Sir Moses performed for his people, and for civilisation in general, good and benevolent services. The places and time are—Russia, 5606; Damascus, 5618 Rome, 5618; and Morocco, 5624. These dates are reckoned according to the Jewish chronological method, which calculates the 1st of October, 1864, as the commencement of the Hebrew year 5625. The crowning word is Jerusalem," and the sentences in the centre beneath are-" When Moses was grown he went out to his brethren and looked on their burdens;" and They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteous- ness, as the stars, for ever and ever." A TRANSLATION of the "Iliad" of Homer into blank verse, by the Earl of Derby, is announced for publication. It was but the other day Mr. Gladstone was translating the story of Paris and Helen." MR. WILLIAM D ALTON'S new Christmas book (now in the press) is entitled The Wasps of the Ocean," and is said to be a romance of travel and adventure in China and Siam, based upon fact EACH of the two quarterlies just published (Edin- burgh and Westminster) contains a terribly vehe- ment attack on a great living English author. The Edinburgh fiercely assails Robert Browning; the Westminster severely criticises Charles Dickens. VISCOUNT BURY'S new book, "Europe beyond the Sea," which some persons took to be a volume of travel-talk, turns out to'be "an account of the pro- gress of the Teutonic nations in America, illustrated by the social and political history of the English, French, and Spaniards on both sides of the Atlantic." This is a very wide subject, and can hardly be done justice to even in two volumes. People will be curious to see how it is treated. "NOTES on the Maories of New Zealand, with Suggestions for their Pacification and Preservation," by Col. Sir J. Alexander, is a work in which the author specifies the causes which led to the New Zealand wars of 1860 and 1863, in the former of which he commanded a regiment. He believes that a great wrong has been done to the Maories, whom he de- scribes as a generous and cultivated people, suffering under the prejudices and selfishness of the lower class of English settlers. The plan he suggests for their pacification and preservation is forming them into agricultural colonies, teaching them husbandry, I and encouraging them in trade.
Co-operative Farming.,
Co-operative Farming. In the Agricultural Section presided over by Mr. Holland, M.P., at the Social Science Congress at York, the following communication was read from Mr. John Gurdon, in which he saidAbout 34 years ago I formed a plan to raise the labourer in his class without taking him out of it, by giving him a stake in the country, and thus rendering him a serviceable man not only to his God but to his neighbours. All con- nected with agriculture must' acknowledge that no labourer can exist upon 9s. or 10s. a-week with a wife and family. The consequence is that poaching and petty thefts are the crying evils of the age. I was induced in 1829 to offer an off-hand farm of 100 acres, more or less, to 20 labourers of my parish, offering to lend them capital without interest to cultivate the same, subject to rules and regulations-namely, that each member should advance < £ 2 as guarantee; that a manager, accountant, and stock-keeper should be selected for conducting the farm; that the capital be paid back as the profits. arose; that quarterly meetings be held for transacting business, &c.; that all necessary articles be provided by the committee for the use of ths members; that if any member be convicted of fraud or any other crime he should forfeit his share, which should be sold, and the moneys arising therefrom should form a reserve fund for contingencies. Other salutary rules were added as to advancing to members, in case of unforeseen misfortunes, loans upon their shares, the disposal at death of such shares, filling up vacancies, &c. Upon the members subscribing their rules, I agreed to let the farm for the rent of land letting at that time, to be altered every twelve years during my life. As these members were now de- prived of all parochial allowance, I called upon each member to insure in the Stocke and Welford Benefit Club for 10s. a week during sickness, 5s. a week after sixty-five, and Y,5 funeral expenses. The afore- said club was established by me in 1828 upon Govern- ment principles, and owing to the energy and un- wearied attention of the local clergy, who act as directors, we have at this time upwards of £25,000 in hand. After a few years this society paid me off all the capital I bad lent them, which induced me to let another isolated farm to 34 other members. This society has also paid off the moneys I lent them; so that there are now on the two farms 54 labourers, farming about 350 acres, free of debt, and possessing as their own property all the stock and crops on the said land; and as each share has been valued at < £ 50, I have bestowed upon these 54 labourers the sum of zl2,110 at only the loss of the interest of some £1,000 for a few years. Farmers at first were startled at my project; but when they found I was not taking their labourers out of their former position; that they had the use of these men as before, only a certain number I. being required for the cultivation of these two farms; and that they, moreover, had men they could depend upon, because conviction of any theft would de- Drive them of their share in the farms, and, also, that these labourers were exempt from any parish allowance, they altered their tone, And were willing to confess that the plan had every advantage without one drawback. I should here mention that these two societies have established a store shop with a brewery, which I am now building for them, after the Rochdale principle; and I hear they expect to pay their rents from their savings by paying ready money and getting every article at cost price. I know this plan will at first meet with much opposition from stewards, and country gentlemen would not like the trouble of first setting the society at work; still, from the numberless letters I have received from practical economists, not only in England, but in many parts of the Continent, I feel assured that the plan will be adopted, and the underpaid labourer will be remunerated for his toil. At present he has no stimulus to moral or just feeling. If a farmer's stacks are fired, his stock injured or stolen, he gets no sympathy from the labourer; but give him (the labourer) stacks and stock of his own, and then his neighbour's losses will be appreciated, and he will be able to sympathise. I have frequently attended their annual meetings, and been much struck with their business habits and shrewd remarks; while their better mode of living gives them power to fulfil their work with spirit and energy. Professor Fawcett expressed to me in a letter that he considered it the best plan that had yet been introduced for the agricul- tural labourer. Of this I feel assured after thirty- five years' experience. I should add that no land is better farmed or rents more punctually paid than by these labourers.