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PAUL RATCLIFFE'S ADVENTURES.…
PAUL RATCLIFFE'S ADVENTURES. A STORY OF WILD LIFE. -+- CHAPTER I II. PAUL RATCLIFFE'S story of his adventure in the bush only made our ears itch for more. The rain was still pouring in torrents we could not think of removing our tents until it had ceased. We had provisions enough for two or three days in store, but our fuel Was getting short, for we had not only to keep up a fire within camp, but it was necessary to have a con- tinuous flame without during the night, to prevent Wild bulls and boars making an onslaught upon us. In the day time we should have been obliged to them if they had given battle to us, but these animals often roam about at night; and while we were slumbering it would have been no very pleasant thing to have such enemies goading or tearing away at our tent, with insufficient light to make the amende honourable. So we cast lota who should go in search of fuel, who should attend to the horses, and who should remain at home to cook a sumptuous dinner from the carcase of the ox killed the day before. I was unfortunate in my draw, and, with five others, had to procure the fuel. We had not far to go before We reached a clump of trees, many of whose boughs, half rotten, were soon kewn down and carried to camp but short as it took us to do this we felt that we had accomplished a great task, for previous to this rain there had been a long drought, and the frogs, toads, and lizards that seemed to revel in the moisture were something horrible to my uninitiated mind. The Oregons told us that all' these animals were perfectly harmless, but we must take care we did not disturb a peculiar kind of adder, which occasionally lay secreted under the turf, or under the roots of trees where there was shelter. When I heard this I trod my way in fear and trembling, for if there is anything in the world I have a horror of, it is the snake tribe. We got to our tent again without damage of any kind, except being wetted to-the skin, and the exertion We had gone through in carrying on each of our shoulders nearly a hundred weight of timber, had pretty nearly exhausted us. We soon, however, put on dry clothes, and fell to the meal prepared for us with an appetite of no common orøer. Oar plan was to put the partly green wood on the large fire outside our tent, and when it was nearly reduced to charcoal place it on the stove we had within. After finishing our repast we took to grog and cigars, and each questioned Paul Ratcliffe about the personages named in the adventure he had related to us. Ah he replied, "I see I ought to have begun at the beginning, and told you how I became acquainted With my friend Jot and others. To begin, as I ought to have done in the first instance, then, I must give you a brief account of'my first journey to India At the earnest solicitation of my friend, Captain Winslow, of the ship Massaaoit, I went with him to India. My old companion, Ben Gilroy, was with me. One bright morning, while lying at anchor in the Hoogly, below Calcutta, Winslo.v came down from the city in a lighter, and requested us to follow him into the cabin. Gentlemen," said he, with some uneasiness, when I urged you to accompany me to this far-off spot of earth, I supposed that I should return as soon as I could exchange my cargo; but I have received an offer Which makes me hesitate. My ship is wanted for trade between here and Canton. The way is open DO me for a fortune." You mean the opium trade r said I. "A little upon the smuggling order," suggested Ben Gilroy. Winslow acknowledged that we were right. And you fear that we shall be disappointed if you do not return us to the United States P "Exactly, gentlemen. I can get: you a passage home by the way of England immediately; and in the course of two or three weeks art American ship may sail. Or, I can send you as far as Cape Town by the Frenchman that sails to-morrow." Hold on cried Ben. I think I can see some- thing." He went to his state-room, and soon returned With a letter in his hand. "Colonel," he said, addressing me, "don't you re- member this letter from Harry Rusk? He and Andrew Jackson are in Southern Africa by this time or, at any rate, they will be there within a few weeks." I caught at the plan in a moment. To meet Harry and Andrew in Africa, and lead them up among the Wilds of the Bechuanas, would be glorious. We assured Captain Winslow that his new movement would not trouble us in the least. In fact, we liked it. We had only one favour to ask woul -1 he see if the captain of the French barque would leave us at Algoa Bay ? Certainly. Within an hour we learned that the French- man had intended to go in that direction, so he could drop us without any trouble at Algoa. Bay. Before night all our luggage was transferred to the barque, and on the following morning we dropped down the river, and set sail. We reached Algoa Bay without accident of any kind and when we went on shore at Port Elizabeth We found our friends already there. They had arrived about a week before us, and were ready for any plan We had in view. We had all left home for the sole pur- pose of recreation; and the manner in which we had thus met seemed to invite us to follow up the lead of the circumstances that had so far favoured us. My own plan was, to take a tramp to the northward, be- Yond the lands of the Bechuanas, up among the lions and the elephants—to see the sights, and meet with adventures. I had not to press my plan, for my com- panions fairly jumped at it. If I would lead off, they would follow right willingly. Ben Gilroy was with me formerly in Texas, and had been my companion for a long time. At the time of which I now write, Ben had grown exceedingly fat. He weighed over two hun-dred pounds and yet did not measure more than five feet eight in his boots. A noble-hearted, brave, jolly fellow was old Ben. Harry Rusk was small of stature, with raven hair; a keen grey eye; and possessing thews and sinews of the toughest material. He was a civil engineer by Profession and had carried hia_ compass and signal- flags through thousands of miles of the Western solitudes. Harry was the youngest of the party, as well as the smallest of frame; but a very important member did we find him after we reached the wilder- l1ess. Andrew Jackson was a shrewd, calculating fellow, With a true heart and noble instincts. He had occu- pied the post of sutler with our army in the West, and had consequently seen something of life. It was while operating with my regiment on the frontier that I became acquainted with him; and from that time our friendship remained unbroken. He was of middle age; of medium size; with brown hair, and bluish grey eyes and possessing g )od powers of endurance. lIe was oiae of the best horsemen I ever saw. In short, we were four firm, fast friends; and we were pledged to enjoy ourselves to the utmost, and to stand by each other through thick and thin. Surely there was prospect of sport ahead. "And," suggested Andrew, with a calculating nod of the head', "if we get up where the ivory is we may make something." Ben laughed. But I decided that Andrew was right. If we could make our adventures pay our expenses, the thing was Worth looking after. We spent a week in looking around, and observing the manners and customs about us, and then we set at work to prepare for our journey. Andrew was the man to purchase the thousand.and-one nick-nacks we needed, and while he and Ben remained in town to select our small stores, Harry and I went into the Country to purchase oxen. I had already bought a couple of horses; and Harry had done the same. And one thing more I had done; I had hired a private servant, and now I must tell you about him. One morning, as I sat in my chamber writing a letter, the landlord poked in his head, and informed me that a Caffre boy wished to see me. Presently the applicant stood before me. He was a bright-eyed, Woolly-headed fellow, with a skin of pure copper colour, and with far more top to his head than is usual with his race. He was about fifteen years of age; and though small of frame, yet the cat-like move- ment of his limbs betrayed that he did not lack strength nor energy. He said that he belonged, to the northern tribe—the Zoola-hs; and that in a war with the Mambootus fee had been taken prisoner, and carried off to be roasted and eaten. Ha made his ;Scape from his captors by strangling his guard, and had j been in Port Elizabeth two weeks, during which time he had been stopping with an old Englishman, who was soon to leave for home., He had learned to speak sh from one of his own people and since he had been in the town he had bo far perfected himself in the t-.rogue that he spoke it quite fluently. He had j heard that I wees into interior to hunt, And he had como, w o&r kiroseif as my private ser- vant. If I liked him I might pay him what I thought he was worth, and if I did not like him I might set him adrift at any time. I wanted a servant; but I had calculated upon one with a little more age and experience than this appli- cant had. "Try me," begged the little fellow. There was a whole volume of argument, persuasion, and promise in that simple expression, and the look which accompanied it. He seemed to say that he would serve me to th/J extent of his life if I would take him and treat him well. I told him I would take him, and he sank npon his knees and kissed my hand. He would have kissed my foot if I had not prevented him. His name, as he pronounced it, was a. sort of snappish grunt, and the nearest Christian ap- proach I could make to it was Dan. So I called him Dan, and he liked the sound of the new form better than he did the old. I went with him to the bazaar, where I bought him a pair of blue frocks, and some short drawers of the same colour. He asked for a sash, and I got him one of red cotton; and I also provided him with with two red cotton handkerchiefs. A good dagger—the blade of trusty steel, and the sheath of ox-hide—completed his outfit; and a happier fellow I never saw. And Dan went with Harry Rusk and me to look after oxen. About fifteen miles back from the bay we came to a settlement of Boers, where cattle were plentiful. I found an old farmer, named Peter Marburg, who had fine oxen, and who offered to let me have what I wanted upon very reasonable terms. We spent the night with him, and on the following morning we went out to the pastures. Peter's pasture was a large one, containing some two thousand acres, and handsomely diversified with hill, plain, vale, and forest. About a mile from his house was a yard, or pen, nearly square, of some two or three acres in extent, enclosed by a, stout, high fence of logs and brushwood. Six of the Boer's men were sent to gather the cattle, and before noon two hundred oxen had been driven into the pen. Now," said my host, if you wish to select you can do so. Nearly all of these will work in a yoke." They were mostly the small, red oxen, known as the Zuur-feldt-tough and hardy; and, when well broken and carefully handled, as serviceable as an ox can be. Harry went off in one direction, with Peter's head man, while I went in another with Peter himself. I had selected half a dozen animals, and was moving to- wards a group that stood near the centre of the enclo- sure, beneath a clump of trees, when a loud cry from one of the herdsmen startled me. "Run! run!" shouted Peter, at the top of his voice, and at the same time making for the fence. For your life, Mynheer Colonel! The mad bull! the mad, bull I" At first I stood stock-still, not knowing what to make of this outcry; but I was not long in discover- ing the cause. Three men, who had kept us company for the purpose of marking and fettering the oxen which I had selected, were already clambering over the distant fence, while Mynheer Peter was making the best of his way in the same direction. Between myself and the fleeing Boer I saw the object of their terror-a huge black bull, foaming at the mouth, and tearing up the sod with his horns. I comprehended the trouble at onee. This bull had strayed into the enclosure unobserved, and was really mad. The fever of his blood might have been caused by disease -by some venomous bite-and it might have been only anger. At all events he was mad-crazy mad, and seemed bent upon most terrible mischief. When ho ploughed his horns into the ground he had dis- covered that those whom he pursued had escaped him; and, as he gazed around through the cloud of dirt, his eye rested upon me; and with a roar that made the solid earth tremble, he plunged towards me. I was taken at a disadvantage. The bull 'was between me and the nearest point of fence, and to escape in any other direction seemed impossible. I looked for a tree, but did not see one which I thought I could reach. The only weapon which I had about me was a pistol, and to have used that would have been simple madness. I looked for Harry-just one instantaneous look-and saw him by the fence in a far-off corner. I fancied that I could see the terror in his face, and that I could mark the quivering of his frame, as he viewed my situation. iv-un run !11 I heard some one cry. It might have been very good advice under some other circum- stances, but it was entirely useless to me now. I might ran. but the bull could run too fast for me. Twenty rifles might have been discharged at the infuriate beast without effect, and yet I would have given half a lifetime for my trusty rifle at that moment. An age was crowded into a few short seconds. The bull was dashing towards me, and I had not yet moved. I was not weak-I do not think I was frightened—I was fairly stunned. There was no chance for thought, for there seemed no possible chance of safety. To stand there and await the coming of the monster appeared as favourable as any move I could make. It may have been six seconds that I stood thus. Six seconds is a short space of time under ordinary circumstances; but you who have held a watch upon the speed of a flying horse ha.ve learned to realise how much maybe gained or lost in a single second of time. Six secojids had passed — perhaps more—and the bull was within half a dozen rods of me. His great swart breast was dripping with foam; his eyes glared. like balls of fire; and at each leap he made the distance frightfully less. At the moment when I was calculating my chances of escaping the brute by dodging him, something flashed past me, and a voice sounding in my ears, tell- ing me to stand still. It was my Caffre boy, Dan. He had glided directly in front of me, and was waving his fiery red handkerchief above his head. In an instant the bull changed his course. The flaunting handker- chief of fiery hue, completely distracted his attention from me and he now dashed on towards the boy. I felt a momentary relief, but the relief was not pleasurable. It seemed to me that Dan had offered himself a sacrifice. But the question was to be quickly solved. As the boy ran past me, he kept on a few rods, and then turned and faced the beast. I caught the expression of the lad's face, and I thought I could discover something more than resignation in his look. The boy put his handkerchief into his bosom, and faced the bull, while I, now trembling at every joint, expected to see him crushed to death in a very few seconds. On dashed the bull, roaring and plunging, with his frightful horns aimed at his intended victim. The boy stood upon tiptoe, with his form slightly bent, and as the bull almost touched him he gave a sudden leap, upon one side, and fell flat upon his belly. The animal passed him, and went some twenty yards beyond before he could stop. Seconds were then like lifetimes. Dan started to his feet, gave his handker- chief one more flaunt in the air, and then sprang towards a small tree which stood not far away. I might have made for this tree in the first place, only, before, the tree had been between me and the bull, and he might have reached it before I could. Dan gained the tree, however, and was quickly resting upon a branch some ten feet from the ground. Now was the time when I could save myself bvflight; but I was chained to the spot whore I stood. The tree was a very small one, and I looked to see the monster bear it down at the first onset. It could not be other- wise. The slim trunk even bent beneath the weight of the lad; and it would require but a moiety of the bull's tremendous force to snap it down like a reed. One-two-three bounds, and the mad beast was upon the tree. He seemed to know that the frail sapling could offer no tough resistance, and a snort of defiance escaped him as he bent his head to the work. Ha! What a thrill went through me when I saw the boy drop upon the back of the infuriate monster. He leaped down like a cat, and strode the bull at the shoulders. I saw his stout dagger flash in the sunlight, and in another moment the keen blade had been driven deep into the spine of the brute, directly behind the point where the spinal process enters the skull. He struck in the exact spot where the life is seated, and the huge beast fell dead in an instant. I hurried up to the spot just as the boy was wiping his dagger, and in the excess of my gratitude and admi- ration I fairly caught him in my arms. "I've killed a good many cattle in that way," he said, afcer I had set him free but this is the first time I ever perched upon a mad bull." I asked him if he had planned all this when he flew past me. He said he had. I then asked him if he had not feared for the result. He replied that he was surs of his mark when once upon the bull's back, and "the chances of reaching tha.t back were very good." At all events," he said, with a, peculiar twist of his litho body, "my chances of success were much • better than yours could have been if I had not cose." I discovered that my boy servant was devoted tq me, and from that moment I loved him. He felt the influence of my love and I know that he would have died for me at any time. Once, at least, he had saved my life; so I had reason to bless the hour that sent him to me. And now, after a little breathing time, I will tell you how your friend Jot was engaged. (To be continued)
A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. ---.;t''-
A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. -t' AN examination into the foundation schools in England is now going forward, and at the meeting of the next Parliament some extraordinary disclo- sures are expected to be made. The reports upon many of the London ones have already been made, and as edusation is one of the principal topics of the day, I will endeavour, in a succession of arti- cles during the vacation, to describe some of the principal metropolitan institutions. The total number of free schools, with per- petual endowments, in and near London, is forty- five, and the number of children educated and partly maintained in them amount to nearly four thousand; besides which there are about two hundred and forty parochial schools, supported by voluntary contributions, rentals from bequests, &c., in which from ten to twelve thousand boys and girls are regularly clothed and instructed. In addition to these there are numerous Lancastrian and National schools, besides Wesleyan, Baptist, and other Nonconformist seminaries, which have wholly originated during the present century, and are now rapidly increasing, not only in London, but over every part of the British empire. The new impulse given to the public mind by these institu- tions is materially altering the constitution of so- ciety, and the old prophecy has been fulfilled that they who run may read." Not content with the education afforded by the ordinary eleemosynary means, philanthropists have struck out a new path and established schools for the ragged, schools for the orphan, for children of soldiers, for children of sailors; night schools for those em- ployed during the day; and mechanics' institutions for the rising generation who are more advanced in years and in knowledge—all of which will doubtless tend to the generalgood and to our ad- vancement in civilisation. I particularise London, because, on all matters, I speak from ocular demonstration, and because this great metropolis so influences the whole of England that the example set here generally pervades the na- tion. It might be interesting just at the outset to say a word about the immensity of London. It is the largest city in the world, in population, if not in size. Taking in the suburbs, it has at least three million of inhabitants. This is more than all England had 500 years ago. And even now it is a great deal more than many whole countries; for instance, the population of the kingdom of Saxony is not quite two-thirds of the population of London; that of the kingdom of Hanover still less; and so is that of both Wurtemberg and Baden. Not one of the chief cities of Europe comes near to London in population. Paris has not so many inhabitants by nearly a million. Petersburg and Vienna not one quarter the number. London has five times as many inhabi- tants as Madrid; nearly seven times as many as Berlin; eight times as many as Amsterdam; nine times as many as Rome; fifteen times as many as Copenhagen; and seventeen times as many as Stockholm. London has 3,000 miles of streets; stands upon 620 acres; employs 3,000 omnibuses, and 3,500 cabs; consumes yearly 240,000 bullocks; 1,600,000 quarters of wheat; 1,700,000 sheep; 28,000 calves and 35,000 pigs. London is a busy hive of industry, and though the drones hang about society, living a miserable and precarious life, the bees can gather honey sufficient to live comfortably. The idle, the care- less, and the dissolute are sores upon the great city, but those who have by careful industry worked themselves up to a position are regarded as useful members of society, and respected accord- ingly. There is no city in the whole world where genius and industry are better rewarded than in London, and the path is open to all who have health and ability to acquire independence. I am, however, diverging from the point I entered upon, namely, schools. Well, the rail- ways that have recently been formed have knocked down many an ancient fabric, they have driven the poor man to seek shelter in regions far removed from his work, they have forced the professional man and the business man from his long re- nowned establishment, and have oftentimes ill- repaid him for the loss. Public institutions alike fall to their bidding, and this brings me to the Charter-house and Schools. The Charter house is a corruption from Chartreuse, and was anciently a priory of Carthusian monks, founded on a spot where 50,000 persons were buried who had fallen victims to the great plague of 1372. It included a very extensive area, comprising the entire space be- tween the northern side of Charter-house-square and WilderneM-row, Goswell-street. The present institution was founded by Thomas Sutton, Esq., an eminent London merehant, who, on the 9th of May, 1611, purchased the Charter-house, and its appurtenances, from the Earl of Suffolk for = £ 13,000. In the following month he obtained letters patent, and a licence of mortmain to convert the purchase into an hospital for eighty decayed merchants, a military school, and a free school for forty-four boys. On his decease in the follow- ing December, he endowed it with fifteen manors and other lands to the then yearly value of .£4,490, but this annual revenue, has been since aug- mented by the increased value of land to at least £ 20,000 a year. The boys are instructed in classi- cal and other learning; some of them being sent to college and others apprenticed with a fee of £ 40; whilst the former have aia annual stipend of X20 for eight years. The pensioners are allowed £ 14 per annum, with provisions, lodging, fire, &c. The buildings were fast going into decay some forty years ago, but the matter being then taken up by the City authorities, sufficient money was obtained by granting leases and disposing of pro- perty to build a spacious andhandsome school-house, capable of containing some 200 to 300 scholars, and the accom modation for the pensionerswas made more comfortable. The number of persons receiving salaries from this institution is extraordinary. For instance, there are seven schoolmasters-a chief, five under-inasters, and awriting-master, besides several other principal and inferior officers.. All the schoolmasters have the privilege of taking pupils for their own advantage. Whilst only forty boys have a gratuitous education, there are about two hundred who are paid for. The Queen and chief officers of State are the governors. Well, it is said that this Charter-house property, over which Thackeray has thrown a poetic halo, is about to be wholly removed to make room for the Metropolitan Railway. Already has the lower part of the square been razed to the ground. The renovated buildings which occupy the site presented by the original founder still remain; but it is said negotiations have been entered into for the sale of the whole of this ancient property, and that land has been purchased at Dunmow, in Essex whereon new asylums for decayed mer- chants and new schools for the education of boys, will be erected, still to be called the Charter- house Charity. We presume that the youths will here be taught the additional accomplishment of good temper, so that when they leave school and take to themselves wive?, they will be en- abled to live in happy pairs for one whole year, without a single quarrel, and thus obtain the cele- I brated Duamcw flitch of bacon. JVestminster School is about to follow the example of the Charter-house and remove into the country. Long, long ago, when this school was established, the site it now occupies was eon- sidered quite a country spot, and its proximity to the then sparkling Thames, far above the London traffic, permitted the sport of fishing and boating, and gave a healthiness to the aspect. How things are changed It is now surrounded with the densest population, with narrow streets, and dilapidated dwellings—its very name a bye-word. Westminster School will shortly be removed, higher up the river, to Henley-on-Thames. The history of this school, together with the leading facts connected with it, will be the subject of my next article.
OUR "CITY" ARTICLE.I -+-
OUR "CITY" ARTICLE. -+- THERE are two points which we should do well to keep steadily in view at this season of the year, and to which persons of a practical turn of mind mainly direct their attention. One point is the state of the harvest, and the manner in which it has been housed; the other is the amount of bullion which the Bank of England holds in its coffers, and the probability of its being diminished by large im- portations of food. As regards the state of the harvest, it is considered by those who are compft- tent to judge, and whose avocations necessitate their having a large breadth of land under view, during its being gathered in, that it may come up to an average in point of quantity, but as respects quality it is inferior to many that have immediately preceded it. On the light lands, for instance, owing to the excessive heat of May, and to certain nipping frosts in the middle of June, when the wheat was in its tenderest stage, the crops were generally thin and poor; while upon the heavy lands, which gave early promise of a good harvest, from their having more nutriment for the growing grain in the hot days of May than the lighter lands, the recent and continuous showers, over a considerable breadth of land, completely changed the condition of the crops. With the exception of. tolerably favourable weather in some parts of the south and south-east of the country, the ascounts commonly mentioned mildewed wheat, grain I sprouting, and heavy downfalls, which interrupted harvest operations. On the other hand, the root crops, which form so important an item in farming pro- duce, are, on the whole, in a very excellent condition. The mangolds have a very healthy appearance; the swedes and turnips, with a few patchy exceptions as regards the latter, have come well up, and have both substance and quality. This augurs well for stock during the forthcoming winter and spring, and will in some measure (assuming the cattle disease to be eradicated) tend to reduce the present high price of meat, which has become a serious item in household expenses. Stock- farming is growing, and in a few years will be largely developed in this country and Ireland, otherwise stock-produce cannot keep paee with the enlarging demands made upon it by our thriving population; while wheat-farming, on the other hand, is likely to decline, as in ordinary seasons we can make up any additional supply we may require by importations, either from European countries or from the United States. Under these circumstances it is fair to assume that our importations of corn will be considerable, but by no means what they have been when an extremely indifferent harvest has ordinarily befallen us. But, even conceding that our imports of corn will be as large as they are when a good round sum of bullion is required to pay for them, and a consequent derangement of monetary affairs en- sues, are we enabled to meet with comparative ease such a contingency ? Before answering this question we must remark that the Board of Trade returns, just published, show, that up to the end of July there was no increased demand for foreign corn, in anticipation of a possibly deficient harvest-the time, generally speaking, when the initiative is taken by importers on such occasions. But, be that as it may, the question arises, are we in a position to meet any large importations of food, without materially deranging our other relations of industry ? F ortu- nately we are, and much better enabled to meet such a contingency than probably we have been, under similar circumstances, at any former period. The amount of bullion in the Bank's coffers is large-much larger than it usually is at this season of the year. It has been gradually increas- ing, and it appears likely to increase further, as the exchanges are in our favour, and there is no disturbing element on the Continent that is likely to derange it. On the contrary, the Bank of France is placed in a similarly fortunate position, and having a large stock of bullion on hand, with an abundant and not a deficient harvest to deal with, and with the interest of money at one per cent. lower than in this country, that bank is not, therefore, likely to perplex our position in the slightest degree, but z, rather tend to improve it, by extending her aid in case of need. The amount of bullion in the Banks of England and France, according to the last return, was as follows :— Bank of England ^814,489,612 Bank of France. 19,959,110 Total £ 34,448,722 In 1860, the year of the last indifferent harvest we had to contend against, the bullion in the Bank of England amounted, it is true, to £15,021,420 in August, but it rapidly declined to =813,665,666 in the month of December, owing mainly to our large importations of food. The rate of discount in August was 4 per cent., as it is at the present time, but in December it rose to 6 per cent., which materially disturbed the mer- cantile and manufacturing interests. The bullion in the Bank of France at the two periods men- tioned, was in August £ 21,289,100, while in December it had fallen to £ 17,650,000, owing to very similar causes, and nearly in the same ratio as bullion fell in this country. There is also another advantage which we have this year as compared with the year 1860. Our imports and exports are at present comparatively steady; while in 1860 they were in a very different condition. The value of our imports, it is true, has decreased, but that is owing to articles of raw material, andcertain commodities which are largely consumed-cotton, for instance-receding nearer to their normal condition of price. This renders it the more likely that any considerable imports of corn, or other food-material, can be paid for by certain portions of our exports, without de- pending exclusively upon the bullion stores of the Bank for that purpose. Again, our im- ports of cattle in 1860 were very large as com- pared with several years preceding, and have only been equalled by those of 1864, which were the largest ever known. This year, it is true, we are also importing cattle to as large an extent as we possibly can; and though the disease prevails to a considerable extent amongst them, our neces- sities will. require as large a supply as that of 1864, if it be possible to procure it. Looking, then, at the condition in which the harvest has been gathered, and the consequent importations of food that may possibly be required, and comparing these with the stock of bullion in the Bank of England, and the active state of trade, we'have little reason to apprehend any great disturbance in monetary and mercantile affairs, and believe that industry, in its various branches, will keep on its quiet way of accumulation, though the prospects of the harvest were not so cheering as could have been desired. I:> The position of the market for public securities [continues encouraging; steady purchases for in- Vestment are being made, and quotations are well supported. The demand for money at the Bank has been moderate, and the rate of discount gene- rally has a tendency to decline. Consols are M for money, and 90g- for account.
Money Market.
Money Market. CITY, SEPT. 5. —The transactions in the stool: markets to-day are not numerous, but the tone continues favourable. The Government troker has resumed his purchases for the sinking furd, the amount taken to-day being £10,000 New Three per Cents. The applications for Aiscount continue limited, owing1 partly to an impression that the Banfe rate will soon be reduced. The quotation for good paper is 3f to -J per cent., with exceptional trans- actions at of. The charge in the Stack Exchange for short loans is 2J- to 3 per cent. Consols are now quoted 90 to §„ both for money and the aceounfs (Sept. 7). The official business report is as follows:—Three per Cent. COD sola, for money, 89g, 90|; ditto for account, 90|, 90; Three per Cents. Reduced, 88f, f, ex div.; New Three per Cents., f, f, er div.; Annuities. 1865, ex div.; Bank Stock, 250; India Five per Cent. Stock, 10, and Exchequer Bills, 23 cli a. The railway market is firm London and North "Western stock is now quoted 124J to l-'o, ex div- Great Western. 6S| to 67-f: Midland, 128| to f, ex div.; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 120-J to 4, ex div.; South Eastern, 81$to 82; Metropolitan, 139 to i, ex div.; Great Northern, 131 to 132, ex div.; ditto A, 150 to 151, ex div.; London audi 132, ex div.; ditto A, 150 to 151, ex div.; London audi South Western, 96-J to 97i, ex div.; Great Eastern, 47s to and Caledonian, 13* to 135.
The Corn Trade.
The Corn Trade. MARX-LANE, SEPT. 4. —There was a plentiful supply of new English Wheat at this day's market principally of indifferent quality, trade ruled d-uil, and some fall ill the value took place: white selling at 4'2s to 52s; and red, 38s to 46s per quarter, a clearance not being made. Only a moderate demand for old, still prices were generally sustained, supply being- light white realising 48s to 56s, and red, 42s to 49s. The value of Tala- vera, new and old, is 50s to 58s.—Of foreign a fair am aunt at market, with only a limited business, and rates easier- ranging at 40s to 56s, according to quality.—Market quiet for American, and more desire to sell at 44s to 49s.- Previous terms are not generally sustained for Flour, the market being rather quiet to-day town-made, as as to quality, sells at 36s to 43s country-made, 31s to 35a French and Spanish, 33s to 37s per sack; and American, 24s to 2Ss per bar.—Some increase in supply of Barley still rates strong, and a free sale: malting brought 30s to 36s; distilling and grinding, 25s to 29s per quarter. The value of foreign, according to quality, is 22s to 33s.-For Malt much demand the terms realised were for pale, 60s to Gos, and brown, 52s to 5Ss.—There was firmness in the OfLt trade, although a plentiful supply, but a large demand prevailed: English and Irish potato brought 268 6d to :26s 6d; feed and black, 20s to 24s; Scotch, as to quality, 22s to 27s 6d; and foreign, 21s to 268 6d.—Beans not much required, still firm in value: smaH English at 40s to 43s; other sorts, 30s to 39s; and Egyptian, 358 to 3as. —Peas wanted: the terms obtained for white and mapie. 37s to 42s and grey, 35s to 38s.—A slow trade for Indian Corn at 30s td to 32s.—In Linseed much business: the value of East India is 56s 6d to 5Ss 6d; and Black Sea, 538 5<1 per quarter.—Linseed Cakes cheaper American selling at £ i'i 103 to £1053 per ton town made £1Y to £10 7e 6d; and Marseilles, t9 to -19 5s. LIVERPOOL, Sispr. 5. market fairly attended. Wheat only ia moderate request, and sellers submit to a decline of 6,1 per cental on parcels below Friday. Fioar is 6d per sack lower; no change in barrels. Indian cora lower, with fair business doing mixed 29s 9d to 30s. Beans, oats, and oatmeal unaltered. HAY, SMITHFIELD, SEPT. 5. —Mr. Charles James Easton. e,),j r t s, reports^ trade at last day's prices:—Prime old clover from 120s to 140s; inferior ditto, 100s to liOs; prime meadow hay, 1193 to 123s; inferior ditto, 95s to 105s; straw, 3Gs to COTTON, LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 5. —The market continues very strong, and the sales will probably foot up 20,000 bales. TALLOW, SEPT. 5. —The market is firm at the following quotations:—Petersburg Y.C. on the spot, new, 468 to 4Ss 6d; old, 45s 6d; December, 47s 3d to 47s Gd; January to March, 47s 9d March, 48s. HOPS, BOROUGH, SEPT. 4. —Messrs. Pattenden and Smith, report a good supply of new hops at market, and the de- mand every day improving. Currency—Mid and East Iteuts, £610s to £ 8 10s; Weald Kents, R5 5s to £6 6s; Sussex, £4 15s to £5 15s. Yearlings are in good demand at firm rates. Fit U IT AND VEGETABLES COVSITT GARDEST. — Vegetables continue abundant and good. Large importa- tions of French pears, peaches, nectarines, &c., still cen- tinue to arrive. EuglÏsh pears comprise Williams, Bon Chretien, and Beurr6 d'Amanlis. Pine-apples are reo- alising larger prices than they did last week. For grapes there is still a heavy sale. Apples and plums are abundant. Kent filberts are coming in in good condition. Cood kidney potatoes are abundant, IIlowers ehiefly con- sist of orchids, heaths," carnations, nieotees, mignonette, and roses. EGGS, SEPT.4. required, and the rates taken for English. Scotch, and Irish, 5s 8d to 6s 9d per 120; French. 4s 4d to 6s sa; Spanish, 43. 6d to 4s 10d. and Ostend, 5s lOd to 6s 6d. POULTRY, SEPT. 4. —There are good supplies of Poultry, but trade rather brisk, and rates generally steady: Geese selling at 5s to 6s 6d each; Fowls, 2s 10-1 to 3s; Chickens, Is 9s to 2s; Ducklings, 23 6d to 3s; tame Babbits, Is 5d to Is 7d; pigeons, 5d to 9d; live Fowls and Ducks, 22s to 24s per dozen.
Cattle Market.
Cattle Market. METEOPOLITAN, SEPT. 4. beasts, and especially of good qualities. There is conse quent-ly an advance in price of choicest kinds. The number of sheep is about the same as on Monday last. Choise qualities are dearer. Inferior meet with a dull sale. The trade is brisk for good calves at rather more monev. From. Germany and Holland there are 2,140 beasts, 15,MO sheep 233 calves, and 150 pigs; Spain, 60 beasts; Scotland, 67; Ireland, 170; and 1,640 from the Northern and Midland counties. r Per stone of SIbs. B. d. s. d. Per stone of 81bs. s <3. s. d. Best Scots, Hfd3. 5 4 5 8 Best Long-wools 6 0 64 Best Short-hornp 5 0 5 4 Do. do. shorn 0 0 0 0 2nd. oual. beasts 3 8 4 0 Ewes & 2d, <jual, 5 0 5 g Calves .3 8 5 6 Do. do. shorn. 0 0 0 0 Pigs >3 0 4 10 Lambs 0 0 0 BestDns&i-bdss. 6 6 6 8 Beasts at market, 4,270; Sheep and Lambs, 27,820: Caj vs. 243; Pigs, 340.
The Produce Market.
The Produce Market. MINCING-LANE, SEPT. -4. is yets am active demand, and prices steadily advancing, whilst supplies are falling off: Mauritius of low to fine brown quality now brings 27s to 32si; yellow, 32s 6d to 3Ss« grainy, 35s to 42s; Larbaaoes, 29s 6d to 37s; Porto Rico, 30s to 39s; Cuba Muscat vadore, 29s to 34s Manilla, clayed, 30s to 30s 6d; ditto un- clayed, 27s 6d to 28s 6d; native Madras, 27s to 29s- Jaggery, 25s 6d to27s6d; Havannah, brown. 30s to 32s- I yellow, 32s 6d to 37s; Floretta, 37s 6dl to 39s white, 40s to 42s 6d: Brazil: brown, -27s 6d to 29s 6d; yellow, 30s to 31s 6d; white and grey, 32s to 38s A strong market for Refined, and many transactions broum. lumps bring 4'is; common to fine grocery, 42s 6d to 45s 6d; tittlers, 42s 6d to 47a and pieceS, 32s 6d to 38s.—Prices for Coffee are still in purchasers' favour, in consequence of all enormous supply.-In Cocoa still an extensive business the terms obtained for red Trinidad are G8s to 116s, and 63s to 67s for other sorts.-A large demand for fine new seasons* China Green Tea, and high rates obtained Hyson selling- at 3s to 4s 4d; Gunpowder, 3s 4d to 3s lOd and Younsr Hyson, 2s 6d to 3s per pound. A fair business in Cos- gou, and prices steady: dusty and broken leaf selling at 8d to lid good ordinary, Is to Is 0^-d.; other sorts, Is Id to Is 6d; Copack and Moning, Is 7d to 2s 8d.—There is yet a great demand for Rice, and prices stiff: common to fine, soft grain selling at 10s to 12s 6d; white Bengal, 12s 6d to 16s 6d; and Patna, 14s 6d to 23s.-A slow trade for pro. visions: the currency ranges for Irish Batter, as to qualitv at 106s to 120s; fine Friezland, 110s to 112s; Kampen and Zvolle. 10is to 108s; Granengen, 88s to 94s; Bosch, 76: to 80s; Irish Bacon, 68s to 80s; German, 72s to 76e and American. 60 to 64s.—Only a small business in Saltpetre although 22s 6d to 23s 6d was accepted for low to fine Cal- cutta; and 28s 6d to 29s for English refined.-The value of French refined Turpentine is 47s; and American 'Petrnlt.™ 2s 8d to 2s 9d per gallon. Jfcaic>
[No title]
A Volunteer Drum-Head Court martial. —A painful incident occurred towards the close of the annual prize shooting of the St. Austell Volunteers One of the members" retired from shooting for the officers' prizes, and was soon afterwards caught firing- ball cartridge at his shako some distance from the ground in or sear the public highway. He was seen, to lire two ball cartridges when Lieutenant Hancock reached the spot and brought the offender before the captain commanding, and after a brief inquiry he was then and there formally dismissed from the corps. Hydrophobia at Manchester.—Mr. Herford has held an inquest at the Manchester Royal Infirmary on the bodv of Frederick Cuncliffe, son of a sawyer living in the vicinity of Oxford-road, who had died from the bite of a dog. The deceased was about 15 years old, and was bitten by a little dog about six weeks ago. He did not complain particularly till he had left work on .Saturday, when he said he was ill. JL slept well on Saturday night, but again eomplained of illness on Sanday. On Monday he became de'iric-iif"" and was taken to the infirmary, where he died half* past seven in the evening. The evidence of t"a medical men m attendance at the infirmary wa» to the effect that it was a decided case of bydrop^oHa and the jury found a verdict that the boy had died from the effects 01 that shocking disease INFANTS will often thrive upon the PEAEL SEMOTOE when everything else fails For Children it forms a perfect met; very valuable j or Invalids. Sold by Grocers, &c. X FisW IPSWICH, MANUFACTTBBR. Agents, Hicks Brothers, B.-Q,