The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

THE COURT. THE commander of the Victoria and Albert Royal steam yacht received orders on Saturday to make the Necessary preparations for the reception of her Ma- jesty and Royal Family, who left Coburg on Monday on their return to this country. The Queen arrived at Windssr Castle on Thursday, the 7th inst. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied her Majesty across the sea. The Queen remains at the castle until the 11th inst., and then goes to Scotland, and after a residence of five or six Weeks will return to Windsor Castle for the season. AT a meeting of the Local Board of Health, held at the Town-hall, Woolwich, one of. the members, Mr. Nuffield, in reference to the visits of her Majesty to Woolwich for embarkation, &c., said her Majesty had hitherto been received on her arrival at the Royal Arsenal by the naval and military authorities. In other towns the corporate body, representing the in. habitants, or a deputation from such body, was allowed j*> be present on such occasions, and he thought that ought to be the case at Woolwich. He moved that a communication be forwarded to the War De- partment on the subject. The Rev. W. Brown, rector of Woolwich, said that on such occasions at Wool- wich, invitations were only sent to individuals, as it Was well known that since the lamented death of the Prince Consort her Majesty wished to travel in a quiet manner, and without the usual display of Royalty, Which was proved by the fact that when she embarked at Woolwich a guard of honour, Royal salutes, &c., Were dispensed with. Mr. Tuffield, after some con- versation, withdrew his motion. A GRAND review of the volunteers of the whole northern counties is proposed on the occasion of the Prince and Princess of Wales visiting Danrobin Castle this month-probably about the 15th.

POLITICAL GOSSIP. --+- AT this moment every member of the reigning family of this country is absent from it; there is no Parliament (duly sworn and authorised) in existence, scarcely any of her Majesty's Ministers are resident in town, and yet. notwithstanding the machinations of the Fenian Brotherhood, peace reigns in all our borders. LETTERS from Homburg say that that favourite Watering-place has just now a large number of lions. Chief among them is Yon Bismarck. Besides him, Lord Granville, Sir Charles Wood, the Duke of Man- chester, the Earl of Dartmouth, and nearly a dozen other English Peers either are or have been staying there. THE Conservatives of Totnes have served notices of objection on 130 voters, tenants of the Duke of Somerset. It has been stated that all these voters are Manufactured. THE Hon. F. Lygon, M.P. for West Worcestershire, Will, it is understood be one of the whippers-in of the Conservative party in the new Parliament, in the Place of Mr. Henry Whitmore, who has lost his seat Or Bridgnorth. ({ A SHORT time since an unlucky vestryman in a council" north of Oxford-street happened to tell the tavourite orator of the vestry that his proposal was contrary to an Act of Parliament. Acts of Parlia- ment be anathematised!" returned the indignant speaker, "let's have a show of hands." ON Friday the Act 28 and 29 Vic., cap. 66, came lntb force, allowing the duty on malt to be oharged according to the weight of the grain used. The standard is fixed at 53 lb. per measured bushel. The dumber of bushels is to be ascertained by gauge (as Usual heretofore), but this number is diminished or increased in proportion to the weight of the grain before the duty is charged—thus As 56 is the weight of the barley, so is the quantity per gauge, to the Quantity to be charged with duty. Hence it appears to be an advantage to the trader in respect of those samples weighing less than 53 lb.; but for those more 'han 53 lb., the Chancellor of the Exchequer has the advantage. It is, therefore, a problem for the maltster *&d the farmer to resolve as to the value of the ad. vantage this Act affords, and they are allowed for the gating of the operation, four years; which is fixed or the continuance of the Act. !I PREPARATIONS FOR A REFORM BILL.-In accord- aace with a resolution of the House of Commons moved for by Mr. Baines, the clerks of the several boards of guardians have received from the Poor-law Board, London, a circular requesting to be furnished With a return of male occupiers who are assessed in the valuation lists now in force at the gross estimated rentals as followsUnder M, M and under < £ 5, £ 5 and under £ 6, .£6 and under .£7, X7 and under .£8, -88 and under .89, .89 and under .£10, .£10 and over, together with the population, gross estimated rental, and number of electors on the register, with an esti- mate of the number of electors if the franchise were extended to male occupiers assessed at a gross esti- mated rental of .£9, .£8, £ 7, and > £ 6. ABOUT 300 of the butchers of Preston, with their Wives, paid a visit to Knowsley, in compliance with an invitation given a short time ago by the Hon. F. A. Stanley, M.P. The party were received most I hospitably by the Earl and Countess of Derby. An excellent dinner was provided for the men, and their wives, at the request of the countess, partook of tea, at the hall. During the day Lord Derby joined the Company, and expressed the pleasure he had felt in entertaining them. The butchers of Preston have long been stanch supporters of the Derby family, and whenever Lord Derby has visited Preston, they have always given him a most enthusiastic reception. When the Hon. F. A. Stanley made his appearance at the late election at Preston the same party were the foremost to welcome him. Here would have been a good opportunity to discuss the cattle disease, which, for want of the idea, has been lost to all ages. SHORTLY after Mr. Gladstone lost his seat for the University of Oxford at the last general election a large number of gentlemen who appreciated the ser- vices which, during a period of eighteen years, the right hon. gentleman rendered to the Church and the University, determined to commemorate those ser- vices by some adequate memorial. A subscription Was at once opened, confined to Masters of Arts and such as have taken higher degrees, whether their Games are at present on the books of their colleges or Hot, and a considerable sum has already been con- tributed to secure the object in view. What is to be done with the money which has been raised will be a question for the executive committee which has been Dominated. It was at first suggested that a scholar- ship should be founded at Christ Church, where the right hon. gentleman was educated, bearing his name, open to the whole of the country. In consequence of the very large number of scholarships, exhibitions, and other benefactions at Oxford, it was generally thought undesirable to add to them in the present in- stance. It was next suggested that a portrait of the right hon. gentleman should be placed in the Bodleian library, a proposition which met with very consider- able favour. Another proposal, originating with an influential section of contributors to the fund, was that a marble statue, representing the right hon. gentleman, should be placed in a conspicuous position in the University. Judging from the expression of opinion amongst the subscribers, so far as opportunities have been afforded for obtaining it, the last suggestion is that most in accordance with the views of the great body of contributors. Immediate steps, however, will be taken to ascertain what are really the views of the subscribers generally to the fund, and then no delay in immediately carrying them out will be per- mitted.

LITERATURE AND THE ARTS. -+- AN admirable likeness of Mr. Mill (after a photo- graph by Messrs. J. and C. Watkins) appears in the present number of Cassell's Illustrated Family Paper. AN autobiographical work, interspersed with golden rules for money-making, is said to be in preparation by Mr. P. T. TSarnum, who, since the burning of his museum in New York, has found time to devote to literature.. IT is rumoured that Longfellow, the poet, is engaged on a new story in verse, the incidents of which are drawn fram the great contest which has just closed. MR. JOHN BRIGHT, in a note to J. E. Fulton and Co., of Boston, acknowledging the receipt of a volume of "Sermons on Mr. Lincoln's Death," says, "I feel much happier now than I did a year ago, for your great war was a burden on my spirit. I think all men should feel thankful to God that it is ended, and that the main cause of it is ended with it. Henceforth you are a free people, and a great future is opening to yon." THE Scientific Review is now generally acknow ledged as the best journal of scienoe and art extant. The Observer, in speaking of the September monthly number, say a:—"In an article on the 'Telegraphic Cable,' by Captain J. H. Selwyn, R.N., valuable obser- vations are offered on some causes tending to produce the unsuccessful result of the recent attempt to esta- blish telegraphic communication between England and America. The writer also expresses regret at the post- ponement till next year of any attempt to pick up the cable. He says: 'This is madness. No harm could be done by the trial. It could be done in three weeks from this date. And next year the cable will have I rusted, and seriously lost strength.' An article on 'The Cattle Plague, by Geo. Armitage, Esq., Prof. Vet. Mat. Med. in the Albert Veterinary College, sap- plies a good deal of most serviceable information on this important subject. The present number also con- tains articles on Lord Stanley's Fallacies regarding Patents,' by R. Marden Latham, Esq., secretary to the Inventors' Institute; on Guns,' on Patents and Armstrong Railway Fastenings,' by W. Bridges Adams, Esq., C.C., and other able papers record- ing the advance of scientific and industrial progress." IT has been decided to erect a monument in Coventry to the memory of the late Sir Joseph Paxton, who for ten years represented that city in Parliament. A FACSIWILE of the statue of the late Prince Co:<> sort inaugurated at Coburg the other day has been placed in the central transept of the Crystal Palace. THE insect exhibition of Paris is to be followed by one at Brussels, not less singular, and perhaps as practical—an exhibition of oysters, snails, mussels, and all sorts of flabby things of this genus. THE monument erected in the crypt of St. Paul's to the late Sir Duncan MacDougall, by Mr. G. F. Adams, sculptor, was "uncovered" on Friday, in the presence of a large circle of that gallant officer's friends and relatives. A LETTER from Mr. Samuel Baker, the discoverer of the Albert N'yaroza, dated June 21st, says that he has been able to verify Speke and Grant's account of the discovery of the source of the Nile. He says, There is no longer any mystery connected with the Nile, nor any necessity for expeditions on that head, unless it is desired ta explore the great lake that I have discovered (the Albert N'yanza). This can only be done by building a vessel for that purpose on the lake. I shall never undertake another expedition in Africa. For the last three years I have not had one day of enjoyment, nothirg but anxieties, difficulties, fatigue, and fever." THE Exhibition of Manufactures in Paris has been a success. The general distribution displays that taste for which the French are proverbial. The first view on entering the nave from the Champs Elysees is strikingly beautiful. In the centre, cast-iron groups for fountains, of excellent execution, and all around the choicest articles of dress er furniture, pianos, organs, clocks, vases, lock and gun smiths' work, &e., besides kiosks, and summer-houses, and every imagin- able contrivance for luxury or comfort, may be seen arranged to the best advantage among the flower- beds interspersed here and there. But the chief attraction to connoisseurs is the Musee Retrospectif, on the first floor, to which an elegant double- branched staircase, expressly built for the purpose at the western end of the nave, gives access. Here the visitor will find the choicest specimens of old manufac. tures, borrowed from the richest private collections in the capital; Beauvais and Flemish tapestry from the Mobijier de la Couronne; splendid jewellery, plate, enamels, old earthenware of Bernard de Palissy and Luca Delia Robbia, from the collections of MM. De Rothschild, Delange, Signol, Baur, &c old bronzes, cutlery, marbles, and carved furniture, from those of MM. De Nolivos, Recappe, Lecarpentier, &c. There is not, in short, a single class of articles of vertu un- represented in this magnificent exhibition, not even excepting the famous flint implements of antediluvian date, and Greek and Tuscan vases. One room is specially devoted to Polish antiquities, lent by the Czartoryski family. It must be said, however, that, notwithstanding its excellence, this exhibition is inferior to the Kensington one in the matter of old plate and earthenware of the reign of Henry II. Separate entrance fees are paid to visit the photo- graphic exhibition, highly remarkable in its way, situated in the south-eastern pavilion, and the exhi- bition of insects in the south-western pavilion, nearly opposite the panorama. Besides the Japanese silk- worm, which is here exhibited alive, feeding on the loaves of tho ailanthua, the most interesting object, although the least striking to the superficial observer, is the exhibition of Mr. Townenel Glover, entomologist to the Agricultural Department, Washington. It consists of three volumes of coloured plates, repre- senting the insect world of North America, so arranged as to show the particular plant which is attacked by each insect, with other important details, into which we are precluded from entering. This remarkable series of plates, the result'.of many years of patient research, forms part of a vast work the learned entomologist is preparing for the press, under the patronage of his Government.

Under a Lancashire Hedge. Colin breathes out the tender tale" to Betty. Colin. Come hither, gentle maiden, sit thee down On Natnre's couch; and whilst the breeze is waking Sweet melody within the grove, alone— What veice was that ? Betty. It's one ov eaur hens cakin'. Colin. Alone we'll talk of love. Don't start, my dear! Chaste as the stars are all my thoughts just now. I would not for the world have wrung that tear From out thine eye. Betty. Aw'm noane so soft, theau foe'. Colin. Is that the nightingale I hear, my love; Its mellow voice adown the valley ringing ? Or, is't the thrush, which oft doth charm the grove With twilight minstrelsy ? Betty. It's eaur Dick singin'. Colin. Oh, go not yet; one kiss from that sweet bud Just opening on thy lips! Betty. Well, tak' it, then Theau met ha' hod one long afore ift' would. Colin. Then, love-vood night!-and- Betty. When wilt' come again ?

Answers to Correspondents. JULIA writes to beg that we will use all our influ- once to get papa made a bishop, because then we can have his lawn to play croquet upon." We will do our best, but fear it is a for-lawn hope-besides, we doubt if he would give his (s) leave for such a purpose. BETTY. —When a number of sportsmen back a horse he may or may not win. But if at starting the horse begins to back himself there is no chance of his win- ning. Such are the ill effects of too much self-confi- dence. Take warning! MARTHA. —When your mistress told you she ex- pected you to be as regular as clockwork she could hardly have intended you to adhere so strictly to the figure. When you gave warning and exactly three minutes afterwards struck-knocking your mistress under the dresser, your act was a winding-up one, of course. STENTOR wishes to know whether he shall call for his MS. If he does, perhaps he will be good enough to call rather loud and from an eminence—say, the top of St. Paul's. We have mislaid the article, but it must be somewhere about and will probably recognise his voice. OXON. —The worthy M.P., in attributing the cattle disease to free trade, is true to his colour. What colour ? Green, ef course Don't y-su know that we find a Hen-lay in almost every mare's-nest P A BILIOUS GOOSE is anxious to try a tonic, and wants to know where he can get a bitter cup. Let him try adversity. If that won't do, he must take his breakfast service to the top of the house and throw it out of window. He will, on descending, have little difficulty, we imagine, in finding a bit o' cup. MRS. PINCHER. —You wish to go to the sea-side without the expense of leaving London. Here's the dodge. Carefully close all the shutters and pull down the blinds in the front of your house. Then go and live at the back where the windows are not closed, and which is consequently the see-side. This is un- failing. SCHOOLBOY. —We should think it very likely that "Pendente Lite" might be the Latin for a chandelier. But it isn't.

Correspondence. Dear Sir,-You would remove a deep-seated anxiety if you would kindly.reply to the following questions :— 1. Why is a gentleman who, in church, allows a lady to use his prayer-book, like an attentive husband walking with his wife ? Oh, why"? 2. Why is a bad-fitting waistcoat like a large ham P Tell me! And lastly, 3. Why is the stationery supplied gratuitously to Chancery barristers like your coat of arms P Kindly reply to these inquiries, and you will earn the heartfelt prayers of A SUFFERING WIDOW. We will. 1. Because he offers her his psalm. 2. Because it is a vest-failure. 3. Because (we blush to own it) it is found" for four-and-six ("forensiea," you see) in Lirccaln's-inn.

Be happy. ED. FROM OUR JUVENILE CORRESPONDENT. gen- tleman, who is fond of going to extremes, and of mak- ing them meet, says paradoxically, he wants a new hat like old boots." His brother, whose French is in- different, and whose English is very different to that of anybody else's, says he wants a new tile, because his old one is quite inutile." "SWEET AUBURN, LOVELIEST, &C." rude cor- respondent, speaking of the prevalence of chignons of the fashionable golden colour, says the greater part of them are purchased, being sold at a pound for so many carats. ELECTION INTELLIGENCE FOR LADIES. — The chignon is placed at the poll of the head.

DEAD BODIES IN THE THAMES. Readers of Mr. Dickens's latest fiction will remem- ber the powerful description of the bird of prey" with which it opens, and will readily recall the night scene on the river, when the boat is towing a recently- found corpse in its wake, and the boatman peers eagerly into the darkness in the hope of spying out and recovering others. Gaffer Hexham is true to life, and every night throughout the year boats start on the same unholy mission as is ascribed to him. Men live by fishing for corpses. This ghastly trade is at least as profitable as regular labour, and as it unites somewhat of the excitement of gambling with not a little of the savour of larceny, it is perhaps not wonder- ful that, to a certain class of mind, its attractions should be irresistible. First, there is the chance of a reward, sometimes as much as .£100 having been offered for the body by the friends, or legal representa- tives of the deceased; secondly, there is the chance of valuables and money being in the dead person's pockets; and in the event of both these contingencies failing, there is still the six shillings paid by the coroner, and this, as was pertinently remarked to us, is a good day's work for the like of them." When a watch or purse is found on a body, for which a reward has not been offered, they are, as a rule, quietly pocketed, and their late owner put back into the river that he may be picked up either by the police or some brother professional. That the men following this loathsome calling are callous, hardened and brutal is a matter of course; that they should long for a crop of well-dressed, richly-appointed suicides as eagerly as the sportsman hopes for a good bag is not wonderful, and that they are as unscrupulous in their dealings with the dead as they are persevering in their efforts to capture them may be taken as inevitable. The strange and repugnant calling once known and realised, the character of its professors may be easily conceived. Of course, the Thames Polioe take prompt charge of all the bodies they see, but the range of their duties is wide, the number of boats and men told off to a prescribed number of miles of river comparatively small, and the result ip a not unprofit- able opening for the lighterman who, half thief half body-snatcher, turns his attention and de: votes his nights to looking up and down the river forcorpaes. A short time back one ofthe best known of these fellows was seen about two a.m. pulling stealthily in shore, with what seemed, in the dense mist and darkness, to be a passenger er fellow-labourer sitting in the stern. Something in the uncouth swinging to and fro of the latter excited the suspicions of the po- lice-boat on duty, and, fearing that a helpless drunkard had fallen into evil hands, and would be robbed and mal- treated, the lighterman was hailed and ordered to pull to. It was then seen that the man supposed to be drunk was dead. The gear ordinarily used for towing the subjects from where they are found to the nearest wharf in the same parish, was out of order, and the lighterman had in consequence calmly reared the corpso up with its back to the rudder, and in such an attitude that the faces of the living and the dead man all but touched, each time that the former bent forward to his oar. Only a stiff 'un, master, I'm a-taking up to Rofcher- hithe," was sulkily given in reply to the question put; after which the speaker was permitted to pass on, and to depcsit his prey and claim his reward in due course.—Express.

A STRANGE BUT TRUE STORY. An incident is just now being discussed in military circles so extraordinary that, were not its truth capable of being vouched for by official authority, the narra- tion would certainly be deemed absolutely incredible. Our officers quartered at the Cape between fifteen and twenty years ago may remember a certain Dr. Barry attached to the medical staff there, and enjoying a reputation for cOHsiderable skillin his profession, espe- ciaUy for firmness, decision, and rapidity in difficult operations. This gentleman had entered the army in 1813, had passed through the grades of assistant- surgeon and surgeon in various regiments, and had served as such in various quarters of the globe. His professional acquirements had procured for him his promotion to the staff at the Cape. He was clever and agreeable, save for the drawback of a most quarrelsome temper and an inordinate addiction to argument, which perpetually brought the former peculiarity into play. He was excessively plain, of feeble proportions, and laboured under the imperfection of a ludicrously squeaking voice. Any natural chaffing with regard t", these, however, especially roused his ire, but was at length discontinued on his calling out" a perse- vering offender, and shooting him through the lungs. About 1840 he became promoted to be medical inspec- tor, and was transferred to Malta. There he was equally distinguished by his skill and by his pugnacious propensities, the latter becoming so inconveniently de- veloped upon the slightest difference of opinion with him that at last no notice was allowed to be taken of his fits of temper. He proceeded from Malta to Corfu, where he was quarteredfor many years, still con- spicuous for the same peculiarities. When our Govern- ment ceded the Ionian Islands to Greece, and our troops, of coarse, quitted the territory, Dr. Barry elected to leave the army and take up his residence for the rest of his days at Corfu. He there died about a month ago, and upen his death was discovered to be a woman Very probably this discovery was elicited during the natural preparations for interment, but there seems to be an idea prevalent that either verbally, during the last illness, or by some writing, perused immediately after his (for we must still use the "masculine") death, he bad begged to be buried without a post- mortem examination of any sort. This most likely only aroused the curiosity of the two nurses who attended him, for it was to them, it appears, that the disclosure of this mystery is owing. Under the cir- cumstances, the fact was deemed so important that medical testimony was called in to report upon and record its truth. By this investigation not only was the assertion placed beyond a doubt, but it was equally beyond a doubt brought to light that the individual in question had at some time or another been a mother! This is all that is as yet known of this extraordinary story. The motives that occasioned and the time when commenced this singular deception are both shrouded in mystery. But thus it stands an indubitable fact that a woman was for forty years an officer in the British service, had fought one duel and had sought many more, had pur- sued a. legitimate medical education, had received a regular diploma, and had acquired almost a celebrity for skill as a surgical operator. There is no doubt whatever about the "fact," but we doubt whether even Miss Braddon herself would have ventured to make use of it as a fiction.

OUR MISCELLANY. City Wealth.-The prodigality of Henry III. be- came so flagrant, that on the assembling of Parliament in the year 1248, the barons resolutely told him they wondered how he could renew his demands for pecu- niary aid without blushing, seeing he had so often forfeited his word to them. On finding his request refused he dissolved the Parliament, and, being re- duced to very great straits, sold his jewels and plate to discharge his debts. When this resource was first pointed out to him, he asked where he could find pur- chasers. Being answered in London, he replied, If the treasure of Augustas were to be sold, the city of London could purchase it. Those clownish Londoners, who call themselves barons, abound in all things, while we are reduced to want. City Press. The Tower of Babel.-The Tower of Babel, on which late accounts announce that a cross was recently placed by a missionary, consists now of only two of the eight stories formerly erected. The remains are, however, visible from a very great distance. Each side of the quadrangular basis measures two hundred yards in length, and the bricks of which it is composed are of the purest white clay, with a very slight brown- ish tint, which in the sun assumes a wonderfully rich hue, scarcely to be imitated by the painter. The bricks, before being baked, were covered with charac- ters, traced most surely with the hand in a clear and regular style. The bitumen which served for cement was derived from a fountain which still exists near the tower, and which flows with such abundance that it soon forms a stream, and would invade the neigh- bouring river did not the natives from time to time seb fire to the stream of bitumen, and then wait quietly until the flames should cease for want of aliment.- Galignani. The Origin of Species.—In my musings upon the signs of the times," I naturally ran against the pseudo. scientific polygenism of our ethnologists and anthropologists. These gentlemen will have a distinct Adam and Eve for every variety of the genus homo, and the most curious part of the business is that some polygenists are also developmentarians. So it turns out— for these philosophers are not very nice about pride of lineage-that the Adam and Eve of each "variety" were themselves a variety of the ape! Thus the American is traced to the broad-nosed Simian of the New World; the African to the Troglodytic stock; the Mongolian to the Orangs; and these apes, no doubt, according to the theory of the principle of development, had a common origin at some remote period, now in oblivion. Such con- clusions are profoundly scientific; but no philosopher can accept the doctrine of Moses-viz., that humanity is a single family; yet even a philosopher must admit that no tribes of men differ anything like so widely as the chimpanzee, the orang, and the American ape.- Herald of Peace. Prince Albert's Pets.—Prince Albert was in- tensely fond of animals, and especially of birds. Few gardens have been so densely peopled by the feathered songsters as those attached to the palace at Pimlico, for it was a place of privilege to them; not a nest was ever knowingly disturbed, and it was the constant aim of the royal father to teach his ehildren to show ten- derness to helpless creatures. The princes and prin- cesses had each their little garden; nests were often watched-not to terrify the parent birds, but to guard them from accidental disturbance, so that every family of fledgings had from the moment of their birth & guarded home on sacred ground. On one occasion one of the children found in the garden a blind sparrow. This member of a great pugilistic com- munity had had its eye scratched out in a fight, and when found was completely helpless. The child was much concerned about its fate, and secured the good services of Mrs. Wyness, the gardener's wife, begging her to nurse it while the family were away at Osborne. On their return to Pimlico, the child, who had never forgotten the blind sparrow, hastened to inquire of Mrs. Wynesa respecting it, and was deeply grieved to hear that it had died, in spite of the most careful tending.-Hibberd's Gardeners' Magazine. Sadness and Literature.—One of the anomalies of literary history is that it has often been the lot of those men who have contributed largely to the mirth or recreation of others to endure a more than ordinary share of misery and want ih their own lives. The most entertaining portions of literature have been written by men whose hearts have been bowed by sorrow, and at moments when that sorrow has been heaviest. It was in the gloom of a mother's death, deepened by his own poverty, that Johnson penned the charming tale of Rasselas;" it was in the chill desolation of a bare and fireless garret that poor Goldsmith, the beloved vagrant of literature, sketched the brightest pictures of domestic happiness the world has ever had; it was from J-t sick bed, in sore distress, and in a necessitous exile that Tom Hood shook all England with laughter. The enchantment of Scott, the satire of Jerrold half the gems of English wit and humour, have been thrown out by genius in its most sorrowful moments.-Dublin University Magazine. Where the Atlantic Cable will Lie.—There always seems to be a mysterious influence in the sea-, itself a mystery, covering three-fourths of the surface of the globe, and hiding the earth and its inhabitants I from the gaze of the lords of creation." How little do we know, compared with the unknown, of three- fourths of the world that is buried in the sea We tried," says Sir James Ross, "but did not obtain soundings with 4,600 fathoms of line, or 27,000 fee*, upwards of five miles." And this in the deep, deep sea." From the bottom of this vast expanse the sea." From the bottom of this vast expanse the plummet brings to the surface evidence of the past existenceofmyriadsofminuto organisms. "Theocean," writes Lieutenant Maury, especially within and near the tropics, swarms with life. The remains of its myriads of moving things are conveyed by currents, and scattered and lodged in the course of time all over its bottom. This process, continued for ages, has csvered the depths of the ocean as with a mantle, con- sisting of organisms as delicate as the mack led frost, and as light as the undrifted snow-flake on the moun- tain." And that these fragile and delicate objects- repose at peace in their ocean bed is now past a doubt. My investigations," writes Professor Bailey, show that the bottom is so free from currents asd abrading agents that a rope of sand, if once laid there, would be stout enough to withstand the pulling of all the forces that are at play upon the bottom of the sea." An Oriental J udge.—A certain merchant left in his last will and testament seventeen horses to b& divided among his three sons, aceording to the following proportions:—viz., the first was to receive one-half, the second one-third, .and the "third a ninth part of the whale. But when they came to arrange about the, division it was found that to comply with the terms of the will, without sacrificing one or more of the ani- mals was impossible. Pazzled in the extreme, they repaired to the Cadi," who, having read the will, observed that such a difficult question required time for deliberation, and recommended them to return in two days. When they again made their appearance the judge said, "I have considered carefully your case, and find that I can make such a division of the seven- teen horses among you as will give each more than his strict share, and yet not one of the animals ekail be injured. Are you content?" We are, O Cadi! was the reply. Bring forfti the seventeen horses then, and let them be placed in the court," said the Cadi. The animals were brought in, and the Cadi ordered his groom to place hia own horse with them. He then bade the eldest brother count the horses. "There are eighteen in number, 0 Cadi! he said. "I will now make the division," responded the Cadi. Yeu, the eldest, are entitled to half; then take nine of the horses. You, the second son, are to receive one- third take therefore, six; whilst to you, the youngest, belongs the ninth part, namely, two. Thus the seven- teen horses are divided among you. You ha.ve each more than your share, and I may now take my own steed back again." "0 Cadi! your wisdom equals that," said the brothers, of our Lord Solioinan, Ion Dhood."—Notes from N'ineveh. Your Rich Unele.—I have known a rbh uncle and so, no doubt, have you—an uncle who lived by himself in a fine house, securely guarded by a spiked wall behind, and a dragon of a housekeeper in front. We all look up to that uucle, and have expcc'a-ioES of him. But, generally, that uncle looks down upon us, and disappoints those expectations. It is no easy matter to pass that dragon of a housekeeper, looking out from her tower of observation in the front parlour. She has a keen eye for nephews wanting a few pounds, or a suit of clothes, or a letter of recommendation. It is really wonderful how very often an urcle of this class, so guarded, is not at home." And when he is at home, and you are admitted to his benevolent pre- sence, does he poke you in the ribs, call you a sly dcg, and chuck you purses of money ? Does he ? But why do I ask, when I know it is much more his disposition, to slap you in the face, call you a lazy dog, and tnrn you away from his door. If he gives you anything— which he rarely does without consulting his house- keeper—hs gives it you grudgingly, telling you that this is the last time, and you mustn't apply to him any more. And how does he ask about his dear brother, your papa. ? Does he not ask after him as if he were a low, unfortunate person, and who had no business to be his brother ? And when you tell him that your papa has had another misfortune, he says Humph! which is a word which is never need by any one but curmudgeons and grumpy uncles. Is it in your recollection that, when you visit a rich unile of this kind, you are always sharply told to wipe your feet, and not to make a mesa with the crumbs of the dry stale biscuit they give you for refreshment P How often does this uncle make a fool of himself (and of you) by marrying that dragon of a housekeeper, or leaving all his money for the promotion of something -which is anything but the welfare of his own flesh and blood F—JLH the Year Round.

SINGULAR COMBINATION OF CIRCUM- STANCES. On 25th August, a gentleman residing in GamethiU, Glasgow, received a letter from one of the superinten- dents of the Ayrshire constabulary (Mr. John Men- zies) informing him that the body of a. man who had been drowned near Old Cumnock had been found a few days previously, and that there existed no probable means for the immediate identification of the individual but through the name and address of this gentleman, that was written on a scrap of paper taken from de- ceased's pocket. The letter of the chief constable contained a carefully written account of the circum- stances under which the unfortunate man had been discovered, and a minute description of his per- son. The person receiving the letter, instantly replied that he had not the remotest conception who the deceased might be, nor how he oouid have become possessed of his name and ad- dress. On receiving the answer to his letter, Mr. Menzies at once perceived the identity of the handwriting with that on the fragment of paper, and instantly forwarded it enclosed in a second letter to the same person, in the hopes of throwing some light r on the matter of inquiry. The handwriting on the scrap was acknowledged as being his by the person to whom it was sent; but still no account could be given of the deceased, nor any suggestion drawn from the incident at all, and so the whole inquiry seemed to be hopelessly abortive. The body of the deceased was buried in New Cumnock churchyard, and his clothes were kept for identification. The purely acci- dental part of this matter, which led to the knowledge of who the deceased had been, comes in at this point. The gentleman to whom the several letters were sent by the superintendent of police is on the staff of the Mail, and his wife ard family are at present residing at Largs. On going dawn some days since to this watering-place he showed Mr. Men- zies's first letter to a member of his own family as containing a matter of painful interest wbiih he wished he could clear up. The landlady of the house in which he resided was shown the letter also, when she surmised it might refer to a man whom her husband knew who had been missing from Largs for some short time. The father of the missing man, on being shown the letter containing the description of the deceased, at once, with distressing grief, re- cognised it as answering to that of his son; the stature, complexion* dress, and sundry minor marks of identity all corresponded so perfectly to him that no doubt could exist on the matter. The mystery about the fragment of paper which formed the link in the connection which led to the discovery of who the deceased person had been was at once explained. It contained the name and address of the writer of that series of articles om Our Coast and Country Summer Residences which lately appeared in the North British Mail, and the correspondent of that paper on visiting Largs, had employed the deceased to assist him in his inoniries about the town, and, en leaving, he had left his ad dress with this man, written in pencil on the fragment found in his pocket. The deceased was a shawl weavt in trade, who was out of employment and in rather distressed circumstances. He was a young man of good sense and intelligence, and his relatives are lefi- to mourn his untimely end. ♦

Mediums."—The Geelong (Victoria) Advertiser "has been informed that among other mediums em- ployed by a squatter, at the lands election at Belfast, there were two members of the Legislative Assembly' one policeman, and four young ladies, one of whom waa the daughter of a clergyman. The pay of the ladies" averaged from .£1 to X5 per day." Jt may be weil to explain that these "mediums" were empln-fe.l on no unearthly business. "Mediums" in Al1-str:.lian. phrase, just now, are persons engaged bv a s^a*itV when part of his "run" is among the lands' ofered: by the Government at a lai.d lottery the duty cS: mediums being to take out lot tickets*7 as if 'they were settlers proposing to cultivate land,'attend the drawing, and, if their tickets are drawn before the land of their principal is gone, select it, and hand it over to himself on payment; of their fee for attend- ance.