The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

AGRICULTURE. 1 The Farmers' Prospects. The present state of the agricultural world is, no doubt, uncertain and unsatisfactory; indeed, when we look around us, everything connected with land seems in an anomalous position. Taking the relative situa- tion of the producer and consumer, the former has a prospect of heavy losses in the cattle department, as both cattle and swine are most seriously affected with disease. If the farmer turns to his crops, he finds a probable deficiency in all the kinds of grain, and with regard to wheat especially, not only deficiency in the quantity, but also in the Quality, for the late heavy rains have had unquestionably a very damaging effect; in fact, it may be assumed generally, that the wheat crop will be below an average, especially on light lands, the autumn-sown alone, and only in certain localities, coming up to the ordinary standard—the new samples that have been sent to market being spoken of as inferior in condition. Barley, too, is below an average, and oats are looking very poor and indifferent. In the midst of so much that is discou- raging, the rains, that have done great damage to the grain, have proved of great benefit to the root crop. The turnips and mangold-wurzel are looking well, and promise very good returns, so that for the animals during the winter, should the steps that are being taken to stop the cattle plague prove successful, there will be a good supply of food, which may tend in some degree to mitigate the losses by disease, and the farmer will thus be enabled to secure a higher value for those animals that may be spared. Moreover, the grasa lands everywhere are showing wonderful signs -of recovery from the effect of the early drought, so that- there will be a fair run of herbage. Now as last year the want of food was a source of great loss to the farmer, this year there is a larger amount of food for what may prove to be a short supply of beasts; a balance thus exists in some degree, so that all is not so unfavourable. And even with regard to grain, though the quality may be inferior, there is now a steady rise in price, which to some extent acts as a set-off to the diminished supply from the land. If, on the other hand, we look to the consumer, the plague among the cattle and the fever that has been raging among the pigs have raised the price of meat very considerably, and the prospect of a still further advance of price during the coming winter is by no me&ns improbable; the only hope of any relief would be from a foreign supply of beasts, and there is an endeavour being made to cut this off, by assuming that the disease has been introduced by foreign importa- tions. Fortunately, further investigations would appear to militate against this supposition, and we may, therefore, reasonably conclude that the demand created by the cattle plague here will in time bring an increased number of animals to our markets, so as to soften in some degree the hard lines of the present time. The disease among the pigs is not reported to be spreading; some relief may be expected in this quarter. But when we look to the prospect of the grain market, where a considerable rise has already taken place, the future is not encouraging for the consumer. Our own crops are deficient, and on looking abroad for a supply, the foreign accounts of the harvest are unfortunately'too much like our own to hold out any chance of any great importation. The reports of the crops in France are not favourable, and the prices are high there, which is against any export trade from thence. From Belgium we have the same accounts; from Germany, also, the accounts are by no means promising; and those from the great grain-growing districts on the shores of the Baltic echo the same tale of deficiency. Even from the Black Sea, whence our supplies are usually large, it would seem we need not hope for any considerable increase to our home stock; and looking across the waters of the Mediterranean tothe land which has been hitherto considered a granary for Europe-the Board of Trade returns show against Egypt the word nil-implying, of course, no hope from thence. From the other side of the Atlantic, even if there should be a large growth, the prices are high, which will be against shipments for Europe; besides, the war has spread such desolation over a large sur- face of the country, that it seems more than probable that all that can be got will be required for the country itself. At present, therefore, the chances seem to favour a rise in price of grain, and consequently of bread. But in almost every case some balance of com- pensation is sure to arise; yet it must be admitted, under all the circumstances, that we may hope for the best, but, at the same time, be prepared for any un- favourable contingencies.

HINTS UPON GARDENING. ANNUALS to stand the winter to be sown now on poor hard ground, or in pans filled with poor soil. The sorts to sow now are candytufts, nemophilas, collin- Bias, escholtzias, erysimum, clarkias, convolvulus minor, godetia, larkspur, lupinus, poppy, and sohizanthug. BULBS to be procured at once and potted or planted as required. Bulbs to be planted in borders now occu- pied with flowers may be started in reserve beds, on moss or leaf mould, or in clumps in rich sandy com- post. When the borders axe cleared they can be transplanted without injury to the roots, and the bloom will be finer than by delaying the planting till the end of October or November. Crocuses that have got mixed may be treated in the same way. Remove them at once to a reserve bed of rich sandy soil; there let them bloom, and then separate them, and plant while in flower in the places they are to occupy permanently. CHRYSANTHEMUMS to be got m order tor blooming without delay, to be tied in as required, and to have plenty of water, varied once a week or so with liquid IQMiWi CUCUMBERS are mostly beginning to fail now, or will be shortly, so those who want a succession of fruit must be on the alert. Sow or strike cuttings, the latter to be preferred, and get ready to make up new beds. Old plants still in vigour must have the help of linings, and be covered with mats at night. Beware of mildew: if it once appears, remove the affected leaves, and give the plants a sprinkling of sulphur. DAHLIAS are awfully beset with thrips this season, and the light blooms are spoiled as fast as they open -indeed before they open. We have seen all sorts of nostrums tried as a preventive of the mischief, but none have been successful. The recent heavy rains will, however, cleanse them thoroughly, and there is a promise of a good autumn bloom. INTERMEDIATE STOCKS to be potted in thumbs singly, and kept shaded till they make fresh roots. Sow queens, intermediates, and Bromptons; the soil to be a sound turfy loam, without dung; manure will make them too sappy to stand the winter well, but a poor soil will be likely to cause a large proportion of Bingle flowers. MELONS.— If any difficulty in getting the fruit to ripen, the following plan may be adopted :—Cut the fruit with as much stalk attached a^possible; place them on shallow cups or any convenient vessels, with about a glass of wine in the vessel, and the stalk of the fruit dipping into it. The hottest part of a lean- to house will be the proper place to ripen them off; the wine will be absorbed, and the flavour of the flesh improved; and a few days' sunshine will ripen them perfectly. MILDEW will show itself in all close damp places now, and do incalculable mischief if not checked. Sulphur dustings are the best remedy, but fresh air and cleanliness will do much to prevent it. PANSIES to be propagated now in quantity for planting out in October, and to pot for early blooming in pits in spring. Those lately struck to be planted out in beds of turfy loam, with a liberal admixture of sand and charred rubbish, but very little animal manure.. PEACHES to have as much air as possible, therefore remove any subjects that require to be kept closer, in order to admit a thorough draught among the trees, and if the lights can be taken off all the better. If tbe wood is not well ripened now it never will be, and ad- vantage must be taken of fine weather to make sure of it.. it. PINES must have a bottom heat of 90 degr., and every encouragement to swell their fruit. Pot off suckers as soon as possible, that full advantage may be taken of the favourable weather we ere now enjoying for getting the young stock firm and strong. RoSES lately budded to have the ties loosened. Where buds have failed, others may be inserted either cn the stems of young stocks or on suitable shoots lower down than those previously worked. Prune pillar roses, so as to remove a moderate amount of both old and young wood; that left to be its full length, and at snch regular distances that there will be good symmetrical heads next season. Short cut- tings of Chinas and perpetuals will root now in the open ground under glasses. TOMATOES will ripen well while this weather lasts, 1 o but in case of a change to chilly weather, it should be t borne in mind that when the fruit is fully grown, it f may be ripened on a shelf in the greenhouse, if cut t may be ripened on a shelf in the greenhouse, if cut t with some portion of the stem attached.—Gardeners i Magazine. f ( ]

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. j ] Deep Sea. Fishing in the Isle of Man. 1 THE month of August, says Mr. Podd, in the Field, is one of the best seasons of the year for deep sea fish- ing in Douglas Bay, as at that particular time the herring fleet is stationed here. It numbers upwards of 200 boats, and the refuse of fish, &c., which is passed overboard in cleaning the nets, whilst at anchor in the bay after the night's fishing, and which is carried by various currents to deep water, induces the fish to come nearer shore, where they will have food in abundance. The hand-line now comes into great requisition. It is composed of a stoutieh twisted cord, with a lead sinker at one end of about lib. in weight, above which there are two chopsticks, which are pieces of whalebone about one foot each in length, and which are whipped to the main line (at one end) by meana of waxed thread, whilst to the other a short twisted hair snood, with smallish hook, is attached. Some lines are rigged up with an additional chopstick; but two will be found quite sufficient for the purpose, and much more handy. The mode of fishing is exceedingly simple, and the sport good. Bait your hooks with pieces of herring, herring melt, or the infallible sand-worm. Pass it overboard, and when you feel the lead touching the bottom, take in about a yard of the line so as to keep the lead at a reasonable distance from the ground; sit still, light your pipe, chat away, and wait for the ex- pected tug. It will be your own fault if you do not bring ashore some nice strings of codling, blocken, and calig. The above is the simplest kind of sea-fishing, and the least labour is attached to it. Conger eels are another fish found in abundance on our shores. I have seen some immense specimens, some certainly six feet in length.. Conger-fishing is grand sport, but very dirty work; and being such, to meet with anything like success, should be pursued after sundown. And if you wish to have any comfort whilst pursuing the sport, put on the oldest toggery you have got %nd provide yourself with a pairof coarse glazed leggings reaching to the hip. The slimy nature of the fish, which is certain to come to close quarters with you, renders this provision necessary. In the next place, you should have a good stiff boat of at least twenty feet keel, with a man to take you to the ground, and who will help you to manage any ugly customer. The expense is trifling and necessary, and you will not regret it, especially if you are fond of a little exciting sport, which it really is. Forty fathoms of strong line is the usual length for conger fishing, with a lead l|lb. attached as a sinker one strong chopstick, with a snood composed of three-ply fine whipcord, with a No. 8 sea. hook, either with or without ohain and swivel, will complete the tackle. Bait with the I freshest of fresh herring, for be it remembered that the conger is one of the greatest epicures of the sea. You fish for him in precisely the same manner as for codling. Be provided with a good strong clip or gaff, and when you get him into the boat try to keep him quiet until you get him unhooked by a smart blow across the vent with the stretcher, or some equally handy billet of wood; and if you can only manage to pass your knife through the back of his neck you will make him peaceable enough. I have aotually known several fishermen being obliged to allow one of the large fish to pass out of the boat again, being quite unable to manage him. His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh has made heavy bags on tha Scotch hills every day he has been out. This sportsman has shot over the Perth- shire moors for some years, formerly in the neighbour- hood of Killin, where he was much respected for his kindness; and for a year or two past he lias been tenant of the Loch Kennard moors, near Aberfeldy, where he is at present shooting. He invariably makes heavy bags. THE usual gathering for Highland sports on the estates of the Earl of Seafield was held at Castle Grant, near Grantown, last week. The games were contested on a fine level sward in the deer park on the east of the castle. A roped inclosure separated the competitors from the general body of the spectators, who lounge on the sward or group themselves under the trees. A neat marquee was provided for the ac- oommodation of the party from the castle, among whom were the Earl and Countess of Seafield, the patron and patroness of the gathering; Lord Reid- haven, Gen. Sir Patrick Grant, Hon. George Grant, Hon Jas. Grant, and many others of the surrounding gentry and tenants of the shooting lodges. The games were of the usual kind common at such gatherings, and were exceedingly well contested by a numerous body of stalwart Highlanders. The dancing espe- cially attracted great attention. Unfortunately the weather, which on the day appointed for the meeting promised to be line, broke into rain between two and three o'clock, and somewhat spoiled the enjoyment of those assembled.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. The will of Si- John Hare, late of Hardelot-villa, Clifton, and of Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, has been proved in London by his relict, Lady Hare, the sole executrix. Sir John was formerly a merchant residing at Bristol, and a magistrate for Somerset, was twice married, and died on the 2nd February last at the age of eighty-one, having executed his will in January this year, whereby he bequeaths the whole of his property to his wife for life, and upon her ladyship's decease the same is to be divided equally between his two daughters. The will of Francis Williams, Esq., of Langhern-hill, Wichenford, Worcester, was proved in the London court on the 9th August. The personalty was sworn under < £ 400,000. The executors appointed are his nephews, Francis E. Williams (who alone is acting) and Edward J. Williams, together with the Rev. W. E. Wall. The two latter renounced. The will is dated June 23, 1862, and there are five codicils, the last dated Dec. 23, 1863. The will is of considerable length, and there are numerous bequests. The principal portion of his freehold property he has devised by his will to his nephew Francis E. Williams. His Wichenford estates he leaves to Thomas J. Jones on attaining twenty-one, and who, upon his coming into possession, is to assume and use the surname and bear the arms of Williams. His estate called the Noke, in Avenbury, Hereford, he leaves to Sophia Jones for her life, and after her decease to Jehn Francis Williams. His farm at North Shink, Herts, he leaves to his nephew, Edward J. Williams. t There 'are also pecuniary legacies to these parties, and to other of his nephews and nieces, as well as to other members of his family and acquaintance, and also to his servants. The residue of his property he has left, by a codicil, in certain divisional parts amongst the said Sophia Jones and her five children. The will of John Craven, Esq., formerly of Alexan- drian-house, Surrey, and late of 9, Upper Branswick- place, Brighton, was proved in London, under .£12,000, by the acting executor, Henry Craven, the son; Thomas Martin, of Great Garden-street, the other executor, having renounced. The trustees are William Sentance (the testator's son-in-law), and David Brown, of the Merchant Sestaen's Office. The will is dated February 24,1860, and the testator died on the 13th 1 of May last. He directs his trustees to see that his business of sugar refiner is carried on until the 1st of February, 1872; and should the said Thomas Martin not continue in the management, that it shall be in the power of the trustees to place his sons therein, who will be at liberty to purchase the stock, &o., at the expiration of that period. He leaves to his wife an annuity of .£150, and < £ 450 a year for the support of his children, except his daughter Ann, the wife of his executor, Mr. Sentanoe. The ultimate residue of his property is to be divided equally amongst all his children.- Illustrated London News. The will of the late Mr. John Cassell, publisher, La Belle Sauvage-yard, Ludgate-hill, residing at Avenue- road, Regent's-park, was proved in London by bis widow, Mrs. Mary Cassell, the sole executrix, the trustees appointed being Thomas D. Galpin and George Smith. The personal property was sworn under < £ 25,000. The testator died 2nd April last, having executed his will on the 22nd of March preceding, and a codicil on the day following. He directs that his real estates shall be sold and in- vested with the personalty; bequeaths to his wife < £ 1,000 a year, and leaves her all his furniture, plate, library, wines, carriages, &c., giving her his authority and consent to continue the investment of his capital in the businesses carried on by the firms of Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, and of Cassell, Smith, ana Co., but without any interference therein, the trustees to receive and invest all the surplus income ana piuitui due to his estate, arising therefrom, for a period of twenty-one years, or until the death of his relict or the marriage of his daughter, leaving to his said daughter in the meantime an annuity, increasing with her age from .£100 to .£500 a year whilst unmarried, but on her marrying, then to receive the interest for her life, and at her decease to be divided among her children. An annuity is left to his mother, which, at her decease, will devolve to his sisters.-City Press.

SINGULAR WILLS. A hundred odd fancies and conceits, illustrative of the foreign dictum, that England is the home of ec- 01 centricity," are constantly appearing in English wills. Here is the will of Monica. Swiney, widow, who was of so Ovidian a turn of mind that even her will ran into rhyme:- For this I never will repent, 'Tis my last will and testament. If much or little, nay, my all, I give my brother, Matthew Gall. And this will hinder any pother By sister Stritch or Mic our brother. Yet stop. Should Matt die before Mic, And that may happen, for death's quiek, I then bequeath my worldly store To brother Mic for evermore. And should I outlive my brothers, It's fit that then I think of others. Matthew has sons and daughters two, 'Tis all their own, were it Peru. Pray, Mr. Forest, don't sit still, But witness this as my last will. (Signed) MONICA SWINEY. John Hedges, whose will was proved July 13, 1847, also indulged in a psetical vein, as follows:- This 5th of May, being airy and gay, To hipp not inclined, but of vigorous mind, And my body in health, I'll dispose of my wealth, And of all I'm to leave on this side of the grave To some one or other, I think to my brother. But because I foresaw that my brethren-in-law, If I did not take care would come in for a share, Which I noways intended till their manners are mended (And of that there's no sign), I do therefore enjoin, And do strictly command, as witness my hand, That nought I have got be brought into hotchpot; But I give and devise, as much as in me lies, To the son of my mother, my own dear brother, To have and to hold all my silver and gold, As affectionate pledges of his brother, John Hedges. A curious circumstance occurred to the late Sir Charles James Napier. He was reported by Sir J. Hope as amongst the slain at Corunna, and, in course of time, Mr. Richard Napier applied for probate of his brother's will, which was granted in February, 1809. On Sir Charles appearing personally in court some time after, his will was given out to him. Lord St. Leonards mentions two curious cases in regard to the execution of wills: in one, where a lady went to her attorney's office to execute her will, but executed it in her carriage in the presence of the witnesses, who then returned into the office to attest it. The validity of the will was established beoause the carriage was accidentally put back to the window of the office, through which, it was sworn by a person in the carriage, the lady might see what passed; that is, the witnesses signing the attestation. In another instance of this nature there was an un- seemly contest between the Court of Chancery and the jury who had to try the validity of a will of a noble duke, which depended upon the question whether the testator could see the witnesses who signed in an adjoining room. Two juries found in favour of the will, and yet the court directed a third trial. Her Majesty's Court of Probate," in Blackwood.

The Charge against Mr. Sprague.-On Tuesday Mr. Charles Gordon Sprague, the surgeon who was recently tried and acquitted on an indictment charging him with administering poison to Sarah Chalker, his mother-in-law, with intent to murder her, at the Exeter Assizes, was re-examined before the Lord Mayor at the Mansion-house, London, charged with a rape on Hannah Hart, a servant to Mr. Jenkins, a surgeon, of 22, Philpot-lane, Fenchurch-street. It was proved on a former occasion that the prisoner had txen ia Mr. Jenkins's service only two days, when he, as was alleged, committed the offence charged against him, having left Devonshire shortly after his trial at Exeter. There was no new material evidence adduced on the present occasion, and the prisoner, who denied bis guilt, was committed for trial.

FACTS AND F ACETIÆ. —*— A tear is often the indication of a noble mind. A very good book is much read, but a lobster is often much redder. It is a good thing to laugh at any rate; and if a straw can tickle a man it is an instrument of happi- ness. A horse-dealer, describing a used-up horse, said he looked as if he had been editing a newspaper. When is iron like a band of robbers ? When it's united to steel. A man, courting a young woman, was interrogated by her father as to his occupation. "I am a paper- hanger upon a large scale," he replied. He married the girl, and turned out to be a bill-sticker. Pa," said a lad to his father, I often read of peo- ple poor but honest; why don't they say rich but honest ? Tut, tut, my son," said the father, no- body would believe them." A sentimental young lady having asked a gentle- man why he did not secure some fond one's company across the ocean of life, replied that he wauld do so, were he certain that said ocean would be Pacific. I A lady walking a few days since on the prome- nade at Brighton asked a sailor whom she met why a ship was called a she ?'' The son of Neptune un- gallantly replied that it was" because the rigging costs so much." A chaplain was once preaching to a class of collegians about the formation of bad habits. Gentle- men," said he, close your ears against bad dis- courses." The scholars immediately clapped their hands to their ears. An enterprising chemist has managed to extract from sausages a powerful tonic, possessing the whole strength of the original bark. He calls it the sulphate of canine. Ma. said a little boy, has aunty got bees in her mouth ?" "No, my dear; why do you ask P 'Cause Captain Jones caught hold of her and said, He was going to take honey from her lips;' and she said, Well, make haste Quin was at a small dinner party. There was a delicious pudding, of which the master of the house begged him to partake. A gentleman had just before helped himself to an immense piece of it. Pray," said Quin, looking first at the gentleman's plate and then at the dish, which is the pudding?" r wonder how they make lucifer matches!" said Mrs. Caudle. The process is very simple," said Mr. Caudle; I once made one." How did you manage it?" "By leading you to the altar." Caudle caught it. A Drop of the Crater."—An Irishman who had returned from Italy, where he had been with his master, was asked in the kitchen, "Yea, then, Pat, 'I what is the lava I hear the master talking about ? Only a drop of the crater," was Pat's reply. EPITAPHS. On a tombstone in Bulford Churchyard :— James Grist, of Bulford, near Salisbury, died April 2, 1742, aged 108 years. These following lines are supposed to be written by himself:— Stop, passenger, until my life you read, The living may get knowledge by the dead. Four times ten years I lived a single life, Four times five years I lived with a wife. Pour times twelve years I lived a widower; In all my time I was not-sick an honr. I from my cradle to my grave have seen Six mighty kings of England, and two Queens. I still lived honest, sober, good, and chaste; Now tired of this mortal life I rest. Strange desolation in my time has been, I have an end of all perfection seen. You see the longest day must have an end, Therefore prepare to follow me, my friend. In the churchyard of the parish of Downton, near Salisbury, there is a gravestone to the memory of Daniel Sheryer, with the following epitaph: — This wprld is like a city full of crooked streets, And Death's the market-place where all men meets. If life was merchandise that men could buy, The rich would live and none but poor would die." This stone appears to have been erected about the year 1784. On a lawyer :— traveller, stop I look down! one lawyer Hookem, 'Neath twenty feet of earth, encased in lead, Hieja.cet; -stra.Rge, his habit ne'er forsook him; When living 'twaa by lies he got his bread, And now when Death has done his work and took him, He lies beneath the soil among the dead." A Rustic Courtship. Oi say, Peggy, how many years be it sin* we begun to keep company to- gether ? Ten or twelve, oi reckon." Ten or twelve! More loike fourteen or sixteen. Whoi, Miss Ailse wur but a babby so hoigh (indicating the height with her hand) runnin' about th' dairy an' tumblin' in th' milk- pans and duck-pond, if a wench nobbut turned her back." "Whoi, what a memory yo' ha', Peggy!" ejaculated Dick, with exulting admiration, oi could na* remember that fur!" Ha! but yo' dinna' get vo'r ears clouted as oi did, sure as eggs, when that big woman as tended th* house that year, fund mea dawdlin' wi' thee instead of mindin' the choild an' sarve mea right too, for th' little un hadn noigh bin drownded." "She was na' drownded, though! an' now she's a foine loss goin' to be wed Oi say, Peggy, if our betters think it toime to get wed afore they ha' known one another's faces twelve months, dunna' yo' think as how we who ha' known each other's moinds more nor them manny years moight venture ? What dost say, loss P Oi dunno," was the low answer from Peggy's lips, whilst her rough fingers twirled the tape ringlets unconsciously. Tha dunno whoi, Peggy, loss, tha dun'! An' Peggy, oi begin to think as how o' shouldn' ha' axed yo' that question manny a year ago An' so, if yo' dunna say nay, oi'll go an' put th' banns oop next Sunday! What dost hay ?" Peggy had not said anything, but she did then squeeze out the words, If thQ, loikes, l>eak."—God's Providence House. Proverbs—Preserved by Joshua .Billings, Esq.—Don't swop with your relashuns unless you kin afford to give them the big end of the trade. Marry young, and, if circumstances require it, often. If you can't git good cloathes and edication too, git the cloathes. Say "How are your" to everybody. Kultivate modesty, but mind and keep a good stock of impudence on hand. Bee charitable—three-cent pieces were made on purpose. It costs more to borry than it does to buy. If a man flatters you. you con kalkor- late he is a rogue, or you are a fule. Keep both your ize open, but don't see morn harlf you notis. If you ioll for fame, go into a graveyard and scratch yourself agm a tume stone. Young man, be more anxus about the pedigree yur going to leave thaa you are about the wun somebody's going to leave you. Sin is like weeds -selfsone and sure to cum. Two lovers, like two armies, generally git along quietly, until they are engaged. The Pope and the Dancer.-A Vienna paper has the following anecdote of Fanny Elssler. Among the trophies of this favourite of Terpsichore is a golden wreath, which has a little history of its own. When Fanny Elssler, in 1847, delighted the Eternal City with her dancing, some of her admirers subscribed the sum of 12,000 lire, which was the sum asked by the jeweller for the intended present—a golden wreath. The wreath was finished and ready to be presented to Elssler, when the conscience of the faithful Catholics was disturbed by the doubt whether such a demonstration might not be distasteful to the Pope. Accordingly it was resolved to consult his Holiness on the matter. Pio Nono answered: "You do not need my consent for what you intend to do; give the wreath to the dancer, if this affords you pleasure; but allow me to remark that you do not seem to have been fortunate in the choice of the keepsake which you have decided upon. I should have preferred a garland, a bouquet, or some- thing of the sort, for I thought till now that wreaths were meant for the head, not for the feet." This shows that the Pope, as little as any other man, can resist the opportunity for making a pun. However, he made atonement for it in giving 4,000 lire to the poor on the day the golden wreath was presented to Fanny Elssler. »

Garotting.-Railway travellers Yorkshire are eyeing one another suspiciously just now, owing to a reported case of outrage in a North-Eastern train, near Beverley. Here, while the train was at full speed, a gentleman was seized by the throat by his only fellow- passenger, thrown down and knelt upon, and rsbbed of his watch and purse. The garottor at once jumped out and got clear away. The injured passenger had no means of making known his loss till the train arrived at Beverley. The offender is unknown.

DREADFUL CHILD MURDER AT HIGHGATE. On Saturday evening Dr. Lankestar held an inquiry at the Gate-house Tavern, North-street, Highgate, into the circumstances of the murder of a female child, ten days old, that had been chopped up with a. hatchet. Robert M. Pringle, a tailor, living in North-street, Highgate, said that on Thursday evening last, at eight o'clock, he was walking along Green Dragon-lane, when he found a parcel tied up carefully with twine. He had passed that way five minutes previously, and the parcel was not there then. He took it up and carried it home. He opened it in the presence of his family, and a child's head rolled out upon the table. He put the head back instantly, and took the parcel1 to the police station. Police-constable Alfred Hayley, 15 S, said that he re- ceived the parcel from the last witness. It consisted of the head, trunk, and leg of a child, wrapped up in three newspapers and a piece of calico. The papers were two copies of the Times, of September and November, 1864, and the Standard of January, 1865. Dr. N. J. Wetherall said that he had examined the remains of the deceased. He found the trunk and the head, and one leg of a full-grown female child. It appeared to have been about ten days old, but he could not be positive on that point. The body had been out or rather chopped up with a sharp weapon, evidently a small hatchet. The head was chopped off at the neck; it appeared as if it had been chopped in a slanting manner, while the body had been placed on the back on a hard substance. Both legs were chopped off at the thighs. Only one leg was in the parcel. The two arms had been cut off close to the body, and were missing. The stomach had been split up with a knife, and the bowels taken out; they were missing. A knife had been inserted under- neath the ribs, wrenching them back and break- ing them. Two ribs were absent. The heart, lungs, and liver were removed. A pesi-mortem examination proved that there was a clot of blood un- derneath the scalp, which had apparently resulted from a blow. It was impossible to tell the precise cause of death, in consequence of the mutilated state of the body. The child had not been dead longer than twelve or eighteen hours before its remains were found in the parcel. A juror suggested that the object of dismembering the child might have been to facilitate the destruction of the body by fire: but that, when the viscera was burnt, the party engaged in the crime became alarmed lest the smell of the burning flesh might cause dis- oovery, and that the remainder of the body was on that account thrown away in the public road. Dr. Wetherall said that he considered that the theory in question was very likely to be the correct one. The Coroner said that it would be very desirable that the police should visit the various houses in the neighbourhood and inquire whether any of the inmates had noticed a smell of burning flesh within the last few days. Inspector Westlake said that he had specially de- tached Sergeant Harrison to investigate the case. No clue had as yet been discovered, but Harrison would continue his inquiries until some result was ob- tained. The jury said that they were ready to return a ver- dict of wilful murder in the case as it stood. It was clear that an atrocious murder had been com- mitted. The Coroner said that it would be by far the best plan to adjourn the inquiry in order to see whether the publicity that would bo given to the case in the news- papers might lead to the detection of whoever was concerned in the crime. A child ten days old would surely be missed from some household. The proceedings were then adjourned.

ovum K&jysijyuTuis UAKU^JSH. Saturday being the anniversary of the late Prince Consort's birthday, the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at South Kensington were, in accordance with the special provision of her Majesty the Queen, thrown open to the public free of any admission fee. The Queen, who is patron, desired that, as these beautiful gardens were founded by his Royal High- ness, the public should be thus admitted on his birth- day in memoriam. Last year was the first occasion OR wnion tms was uone, when, tne day being exceed- ingly fine, as many as 153,000 persons availed them- selves of the permission and although there were sixty to eighty thousand present at one time, not the slightest wilful injury happened to the flower beds. This waa the more creditable, as the people had but a limited space to move about in. On Saturday last the weather was again as pleasant as could be wished, and it is computed that 130,000 persons assembled. The gates were opened at ten o'clock, soon after which visitors passed through them, and by eleven o'clock nearly 4,000 were in the gardens; by noon upwards of 12,000 had entered. In the afternoon the numbers increased even more rapidly, about 30,000 having entered by the south-east gate alone at four o'clock. Special arrangements had been made by the council for the convenience of the visitors, and, under the direction of Mr. Inspector Gibbs, who had a force of 115 constables on duty in and about the gardens, they were admirably carried out. The western arcades were fitted up for the sale of refreshments at published prices, while a portion of the gardens were set apart for those who had brought their own provisions and preferred to lunoh al fresco. The bands of various volunteer regiments were in attendance as well as those of the police, and performed most efficiently during the day. The cascades and the large Majolica fountain formed a continual source of attraction as did a very pretty oolllection of orchids and flowering plants in the conservatory, the Saturday show taking place as usual. In the afternoon Mr. Frank Backland's interesting fish- hatching apparatus and Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins's beehives were shown, and both excited the liveliest curiosity. This year the society has adopted the plan of allow- ing the public to visit the gardens at a very reduced charge during the months of August, September, and October, which probably accounts for the absence of most of the schools that attended last year, as the managers probably prefer paying a small sum, that their children may be more at their ease than where there is such a vast crowd present. Hundreds of the visitors, after spending an hour or two in this delight- ful place, visited the South Kensington Museum, which was also open to the public as usual on Satur- days. Her Majesty will be pleased to learn that so many thousands of her subjects were thus enabled to enjoy themselves, and that their respect and love for the memory of the good Prinoe who has passed away were abundantly proved by the admirable manner in which they one and all conducted themselves. A better sample of good temper and obliging courtesy was never shown by any body of people assembled for enjoyment.

Robbery of Communion Plate. At the public-office, Birmingham, a young man named Thomas Bevan, described as a blacksmith, was charged with stealing the communion plate from St. Martin's Church, Birmingham, of which the Rev. J. C. Miller, D.D., is rector. The plate, which comprised about twelve pieces of the finest silver, was worth upwpds of .£100. It was deposited in a box in the sacristy, which was broken open and rifled of its contents a fortnight ago. The prisoner is the son of the woman who cleans the church, and is presumed to have made use of the kej s in her possession. He was remanded. Seven Miles of Ants in Scotland.-The Southern Reporter has the followingThat ants occasionally make their appearance in such prodigious numbers that the air is obscured by them, as vouched for in Chambers Encyclopedia" and by other writers, is a circumstance but rarely witnessed, we should say, in this country. Nevertheless, a corrobora- tion of the statement was witnessed in the neighbour- hood of Selkirk on Saturday last. One gentleman, residing in Selkirk, had occasion to visit Hawick on the day named, and, perhaps from the fineness of the weather or the extortionate fares of the North British Railway Company, he was induced to perform the journey on foot. On the ontskirts of Selkirk he had his attention arrested by myriads upon myriads of winged ants moving in the air and on the turnpike road. The road, to use his own expression, w e- rally carpeted by the little insects, and at regular In- tervals of about six feet they were collected into clusters about the size of a pigeon's egg, apparently engaged in combat. He was so icrmented by those on the wing lighting on his face and hands that he was forced to deviate into a footpath, thinking there to avoid them. But no. Here they were again uader and around him as numerous as before. In this way did they cover the road until he reached Groundistone Edge, a distance of upwards of seven miles fiovo Selkirk.