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PAUL R.A.TCLIFFE'S ADVENTURES.
PAUL R.A.TCLIFFE'S ADVENTURES. A STORY OF WILD LIFE. -+-- CHAPTER IV. I CONSIDERED myself fortunate in having hit upon Peter Marburg; for he not only let me have as good a lot of oxen as could be found anywhere, but he also let me have them at a lower figure than I had ex- pected. And one other thing worked well for us. As Harry and I were making arrangements for getting the oxen to Port Elizabeth, two of the Boer's men came and offered their services. They were Hottentots, but had had so much intercourse with the people upon the coast that they had become decent, and even respect- able, in their habits. They had been at work for Mar- burg several years. You will want a driver," said one of them, whose name was Jot. He was an intelligent-looking fellow, with the high cheek bones and closely knotted hair pe- culiar to his race, but with an expression of civilisa- tion upon his countenance that entirely overcame the brutish look so common to the natives of that clime. I told him we should probably need two drivers. "Then take me and Sunam," he said. At this the second Hottentot grinned and bowed. He was larger of frame than Jot, and eemed almost as intelligent. I told them I would speak with their master. I ex- pected that the old Boer would object to their leaving him; but he did not. He said he had sold off a great toany of his cattle, and should sell more, and he could spare Jot and Sunam without inconvenience. And he furthermore assured me that I should not find two better drivers, or more faithful servants in the colony. After this I had little further hesitation. I talked awhile with the fellows, and then hired them; and when the bargain had been made, I believed I bad se- cured drivers who would not desert me in the first hour of danger. We returned to Port Elizabeth with our cattle- twenty-six in number-where we found that Andrew had purchased nearly all the small stores we should need. Oar next object was to look up two wagons, for it had been decided that we should need them. | They were easily found, though we had to pay a good price for them. However, they were now and well made, and, as it afterwards proved, we were fortunate in securing them, for a party of Englishmen, pur- chased two cheaper ones, which broke down when about two hundred miles from the coast. These wagons were simple in construction; and though loosely made, to accommodate themselves to the uneven track over which they must work, yet they were strong and lasting. The body, resting upon four wheels, was sixteen feet in length bv four feet in Width, with sidp8 thirty inches high. Upon the out- side of the rails were stout iron staples, placed eighteen inches apart, in which were fixed the boughs that formed the top. These boughs were drawn over and bound at the top, forming a series of arches, upon Which rested the final covering of thick waterproof canvas. Within these wagons we had our beds, and chests, and mess-tables; and though not very easy to side in, when the ground was rough, they were exceed- ingly convenient and valuable institutions. Of provisions and ammunition we laid in all that we Could possibly need; besides a few small kegs, which, as old Ben expressed it, "contained a little spirit for medicinal purposes." In addition to these we took quite a lot of fancy trumpery for trade with the natives, in the selection of which we were guided by the advice of an old Englishman, who had been just Where we were going. Four more servants were taken into our employ before we started. First, and of the most importance, Was an old Hottentot, named Bolus, who was to be our guide and interpreter. He had travelled all over the country of the interior, and understood the lan- guages of nearly all the tribes of the Bechuanas. He waa a powerful fellow, over fifty years of age, and Was to be trusted when he was sober. Next to the guide came the cook, another Hottentot, named Gash. He was about the age of Bolus, and the two had been much together; and, in addition to his know- ledge of the cuisine, he said he could keep Bolus sober. Besides these we hired two stout young fellows, of a ilozambique tribe, who were to assist the cook, or the drivers, or the guide-who, in short, were to be men- Of-all-work. One more item of explanation, and we are off. Each Wagon was drawn by twelve oxen. The two strongest oxen were yoked to the pole-the pole being much like the ordinary tongue, or pole, of the common American, ox- carts. Leading from this pole was a long, stout rope of buffalo-hide, called the treck- rope, to which were attached, at regular intervals, the yokes of the other oxen. The method of yoking and unyoking, or in- spanning" and outspanuing," as the Boers term it, is somewhat different from that in use among the farmers of- America. In place of the bow, which the Yankee has to take out and put back again every time he yokes, or unyokes, the Boer has two parallel bars fixed upon the under side of the yoke, which slip down upon each side of the neck of the ox, These bars are fixed firmly in the yoke, and are secured to the neck of the animal by a thong of tough hide passing about the ends at the throat. It is a simple contrivance, and an experienced driver has little trouble in yoking up his team, provided his oxen are Well trained and kindly handled. Of our arms I need not particularly speak. Suffice it for me to say that we had all we needed, and that they were good enough. My best rifle bore the name of Loren H. Wrisley as the maker, and I do not believe that a better piece was ever made. Harry Rusk had two of the same make. I may here mention that I had a few bullets made to please one of my whims. My. Wrisley rifle carried a conical ball weighing an ounce, and I had two hundred of these leaden cones armed with sharp steel points upon the forward end. I had seen soft lead flattened upon the tough hides of the rhinoceros and crocodile, and I proposed to find some- thing which could not be so easily turned from its course. And now I come to AN ADVENTURE WITH A WILD BOAR. One bright morning we set out upon our journey. Jot and Sunam had got the oxen under complete sub- jection, and I flattered myself that we had about as good and reliable a team as could be found in the country. The cook, and the two Mozambique servants, whose names were Mora and Tambet, rode in the Wagons when they pleased, and walked when they pleased. My boy Dan I allowed to ride one of my horses. We already had one extra pair of oxen, which were secured behind one of the wagons; and on the second day of our journey we bought another pair. It was possible that we might need them. On the tenth day we had got beyond the settlements of the Boers, and towards the latter part of the after- noon we fell in with a flock of dainty little antelopes of the Springbok variety. After a chase of almost an hour I succeeded in shooting one of them, while Harry Rusk shot two. So we had fresh meat for supper, and enough left for breakfast. On the twelfth day, while passing around the base of a high, sandy hill, I observed the skull of an ele- phant beneath a clamp of speck-broom bushes. Bolus informed me that there were a great many skeletons of the elephant in this section; and he said he could remember when large herds of them frequented the hills and valleys about us, but within the last twenty years the white hunters had so effectually thinned them out, and driven them northward, that one was rarely ever seen in our present neighbourhood. On the morning of the fourteenth day we started be. fore the sun was up, and made a tramp of ten miles before breakfast. We were now just entering the territory of the Bechuanas, and exppcted soon to be obliged to keep a sharp look out for danger. We had jurAt finished breakfast, and I ha'1 lighted my meer- schaum, when oar attention was attracted by a rustling and crashing in the bushes near at hand. Dan caught up one of my rifles and started in pursuit. The boy had proved himself a good shot, and I allowed him to use my inferior piece. Harry and Ben likewise started off, and as I thought they would be able to do all that was to be done, I remained behind and helped Jot to fix some of his yokes. In the course of fifteen minutes Harry Rusk came back, remarking that he guessed there was nothing to be found. He sat down under a tree, and lighted his pipe, and smoked thoughtfully. "A penny for your thoughts," said If as I joined him, after having seen the yokes all right. "I was thinking of the rascally fellow that sold me this pipe," he replied, with a long face. I laughed outright, and yet I pitied the poor fellow. He had bought the pipe of a dealer in Rotterdam for a pure meerschaum, and had paid a fabulous price; and the thing proved to be a composition of clay and plaster, stuffed with some sort of oil, or resin, which gave it a glossy finish. As he smoked it, it grew ieavy and etcoagj and caused him moxe than once ;to say things which were not proper. However, he generally kept his temper, and stoutly maintained, in the presence of Ben Gilroy, that the pipe was of the purest meerschaum imaginable. While Ave were thus smoking, old Ben came up, puffing and blowing, declaring that he didn't believe we had heard any sound in the bushes at all. The words had hardly escaped his lips when the air was startled by the sound of Dan's rifle, and Harry and I were upon our feet in a moment, with our rifles in our hands. Ben was too far gone with fatigue to join us; but Andrew, who had boon repacking some of the nick-nacks in one of the wagon-chests, took his piece and accompanied us. We had gone but a short dis- tance when we heard Dan's voice pitched to a note of alarm. I stopped to listen,, and heard him distinctly calling on Ben Gilroy for help. Harry was ahead, and as he caught the direction of the sound, he hastened on, Andrew and I keeping close upon his heels. The eries of the boy sounded louder and more startling, and we knew that he must be in mortal danger. Our way was through a dense mass of low, shrubby bushes, and by-and-by we came out at the foot of a barren hill, with an open plain stretching away before us. Harry, who had kept the lead, suddenly stopped upon the edge of the open space, and raised his rifle to his on, Andrew and I keeping close upon his heels. The cries of the boy sounded louder and more startling1, and we knew that he must be in mortal danger. Our way was through a dense mass of low, shrubby bushes, and by-and-by we came out at the foot of a barren hill, with an open plain stretching away before us. Harry, who had kept the lead, suddenly stopped upon the edge of the open space, and raised his rifle to his shoulder. As he fired I hurried forward, and asked him what he had seen. His reply was such as I need not write, though it is no wonder that he made it. He had fired and missed his mark; or, if he had hit it at all, he had only made a bad matter worse. I quickly saw the difficulty, and had raised my trusty rifle half way to my shoulder, when I hesitated, and shuddered. The scene was this:- At a distance of not much less than a hundred yards was my Caffre boy in the top of a tall, slender tree; and at the fcot of the tree was one of the largest wild boars I ever saw. The boar was digging away at the roots with his long snout, and tearing the fibres off with his teeth as he came to them. He was bleeding from two wounds-one in the neck, and one on the back. The boy must have wounded him first, and then climbed the tree to escape him when he became furious; and the second wound must have been given by Harry. As I lowered my rifle the boar had turned his haunches towards me. Dan saw us, the smoke of Harry's piece having guided his eye, and he called aloud for help. I heard him say the tree would soon be down; and I knew that he spoke the truth, for I could see that the slender trunk was already swaying to and fro as the maddened brute tore away at the roots. He knew that the boy was his enemy, and he was bound upon revenge. Smarting with the pain of his two wounds he gnashed his huge teeth, and plunged his snout into the soft earth. I waited a few seconds to see if the beast would not turn his side towards me; but he did not. The only thing left was for me to change my position. I ran one way, and directed Andrew to run the other. Ihadnot taken a dozen steps when I saw the tree begin to vibrate with a wider range, and presently I knew that it was going over. The last root had been rent asunder. I stopped, and caught my breath". I was upon the point of calling out to the boy to leap and run, when I saw that he had anticipated me. The moment that I dis- covered his intended movement, I asked Andrew to be ready with his rifle; and as I spoke, Harry pleased me by informing me that his rifle was again loaded. Dan, when he saw us so near him, became cool and collected, and seemed to be studying all his chances. As the tree began to topple over he prepared to spring. But-would he thoughtlessly run towards us ? No, no -he had calculated even that chance. He touched the < ground several yards from the tree, and struck off to- wards a point at my right, thus keeping clear of the line of omr aim. He started away at a pace of mar- vellous speed, and the boar leaped after him. There was not a moment to lose, for the distance between the pursuer and the pursued was very short, and the foam- ing, bleeding monster was covering fearful distances with his strides. In heaven's name," I eried, speaking to Harry, don't waste your shot!" Ready!" he replied, with his rifle at his shoulder. And as he spoke he fired. The boar staggered for an instant, as though he had lost his step. On the next moment I fired; and, as an echo, came the report of Andrew's piece. The boy turned an abrupt angle, and the boar kept on in a straight line; but his course was run- A few yards of staggering, swaying plunges, and he fell dead. I expected to find Dan weak with terror, but in this I was mistaken. "If I'd had my dagger," he said, "I should have dropped upon the bear feefore you came up." He had left his dagger sticking in a piece of meat by the fire. However, he was ready enough to acknowledge that he had come well out of it, and his gratitude was deep and sincere. He told us that when he fired upon the beast he supposed Ben Gilroy was close behind, ready to support him with a second shot; and it was not until the wounded monster had dis- covered him, and started towards him, that he became aware of Ben's absence. After that he had but one course open to him. He saw the tree, and fled to it for safety. We cut out such parts of the boar's carcase as we fancied for roast and broil, and left the rest for the birds and beasts; and if the birds and beasts found their share as sweet and juicy as we found ours, they llillilt have had a good meal. (To be continued.)
THE MURDER AT BOIVN.
THE MURDER AT BOIVN. The New Frankfort Gazette contains the following ircnical paragraph:—"Count Ealenburg, -a Prussian hussar, and nephew to the minister of the -same name, who, as everybody knows, recently had the misfortune to cut down with his sabre one Eugene Ott, at Bonn, has, after undergoing the torture of military arrest in his own chamber for a week, received permission to take part in the mameuvres of his regiment, whilst the mixed commission appointed to inquire into that accident is tranquilly pursuing its labours. Such is the answer of the Prussian Government to the demand, expressed with so mueh impudence, as M. de Roon would say, by the Prussian and foreign press for the prosecution of the noble count-a demand which would at most have been admissible in the case of plebeian criminals who have not the honour to belong to his Majesty's army. However, the cir- cumstance that the victim was not a German but a Frenchman will perhaps determine the Prussian Go- vernment not to adhere in this case to the practice which it has hitherto followed." The Covmrier du Bas-Ehin, alluding to the same case, says The ex- citement caused at Strasburg and throughout Alsace by the violent death of M. Ott at Bonn is far from having subsided. Not a day passes without our receiv- ing letters expressing astOJrishment that justice has not yet been done, and asking for information relative to the diplomatic intervention of France. We now learn that one of our fellow-citizens, M. Schirmer, a private professor, has drawn up a petition to the Senate praying that the French Government should intervene energetically to demand from the King of Prussia's Government the satisfaction justly due to France and to the family of the unfortunate Ott. This petition is now in the press, and as the prefeet of the Bas Rhin has authorised its circulation, copies of it will be distributed for signature in all the com- munes of the Bas Rhin." At Strasburg and throughout Alsace the excitement caused by the anticipated impunity of Ott's murderer is on the increase. A petition to the Senate to obtain the efficient intervention of the French Government has been prepared, and it is significant that the pre- fect of the department has authorised its being carried round for signature in all the communes. No one here has the smallest idea that such measures will have any other effect than, perhaps, to give rise to a mock trial, at which Count von Eulenberg will be de- clared more innocent than an unborn baby. But the unfavourable impression of Prussian justice will be strengthened in every way which does not directly compromise the Government, and this act of violence may serve to hasten the day when the frontier of the Rhine may add to the security of France on the East. —_
[No title]
Jewish Graves.-A grave is never in the East a sacred thing, and the dead are never deposited in holy ground. Among the Jews a dead body was to be cast out from the city gates, far from tke Temple, far from the synagogue; out into the dismal ravines, amang the haunts of hyenas and savage curs. No tree, no flower, was planted over a Jewish grave; and a hole in a roek was all that was given to the greatest king. The foulest term in a language rich in powers of abuse was that of death, and the darkest spirit was appeased by calling his enemy a sepulchre and a whited wall.—'The Moly Land.
OUR" CITY" ARTICLE, 6
OUR" CITY" ARTICLE, 6 The principal topic on the Stock Exchange dur- ing the past week was American Finance. The Treasury at Washington have just put forth a document which may be appropriately termed the Budget of the United States. It is, in fact, a statement of the income and expenditure of that Government, and exhibits in detail the amount of internal revenue paid during the last fiscal year. It also shows the articles subject to duty, and the amount contributed to the national Treasury by classes of individuals, which have been published for the first time. We need scarcely remark that this is an important document, and that it will be examined with the deepest interest both in this country and on the Continent, or, indeed, wher- ever American securities are held, or are likely to be held. The sums dealt with in the Transatlantic Budget are of startling magnitude, and furnish an un- mistakable proof of the great internal wealth and ¡ the vast resources of our American friends and we question much whether any other community of modern times, having passed through a simi- larly bitter and costly struggle to maintain its national entirety, could possibly have resumed its normal position with such promptitude and vitality as the United States appears to have done. Assuming the data upon which the calculations in the statement are made to be based upon a solid foundation, and glancing at the classification, arrangement, and peculiar incidence of the finan- cial items, we look upon this Budget as a model well worthy the study of European financiers; I and for comprehensive clearness and precision it will, we imagine, vie with the expositions made annually by our own Chancellor of the Exchequer ¡ to the House of Commons. According to the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, the public debt of the United States in March last was estimated at 2,367 millions of dollars, and that its accumulation up to that I gigantic sum was thus expressed :— 1862 April 25 523 million dollars. 1863 April 10 939 „ 1864 April 26 1,657 „ 1865 March 31 2,367 „ „ Thus, from April, 1862, to April, 1863, the increase was at the ratio of 1,189,135 dols. per day: from 1863 to 1864 it was 1,882,723 dols. per day; and from 1864 to 1865 it ran up daily at the rate of 2,094,808 dols. On the 31st of July, however, the debt, according to the Treasury statement, amounted to 2,557 millions of dollars, and, throwing the aggregate sums of its accumulation into an interest bearing form, it will stand thus :— Dols. Interest. Debt bearing interest in coin 1,103,662,642 64,521,837 Debt bearing interest in lawful money 1,289,156,545 74,740,631 Debt on which interest has ceased 1,527,120. Debt bearing no interest 357,906,969 — Total$2,757,258,276$139,262,468 The debt, therefore, bearing interest in coin is less by ten millions of dollars than that paid in greenbacks, while the debt bearing no interest, circulating in the hands of the public for petty cash purposes, like our sovereigns and bank-notes, is about one-fourth of that the interest @f which is paid in paper. This may be termed the incon- vertible portion of the currency. When the arrears of indebtedness are arranged, it is estimated, say in 1866, the debt will amount to 3,000 millions of dollars, which, at 4-85 dollars to our pound ster- ling, will be equal to 618 millions of our money. The aggregate debt of this country is close upon 7§0 millions sterling, so that the Americans ftioll short of that amount by 172 millions. But how stands the rate of interest upon the respective debts ? According to the document we have cited, the rate of interest upon the debt of the United States is 5 -82, or nearly 6 per cent., which, upon the 2,392 millions bearing interest at the 31st of July, would amount in pounds sterling to 29 mil- lions per year; while the interest upon the debt of this country amounts to about 26 millions sterling per annum. When the debt of America, as anticipated, shall amount to three thousand millions of dollars, or 618 millions sterling, the respective amounts of interest annually paid upon the two debts will be .34 millions for the American, and 26 millions for the British, or eight millions the one in excess of the other. Mow does the United States Government pro- pose to provide for this large annual claim upon its credit ? By customs' duties, internal revenue, direct taxes, lands, and miscellaneous imposts. The revenue, past, present, and prospective (up to the end of June, 184;6), according to the semi- official document, gives the following results:— Dollars. From Customs, in coin 80,000,000 „ Internal Revenue 300,000,000 „ Lands 1,500,000 „ Miscellaneous 15,000,000 $396,000,000 which, in pounds sterling, at the rate of 4-85 dols. to the pound, amounts in English money to ■ £ 81,752,057. Here, then, is ample provision ma,de for paying the interest of the debt, and the various securities which may, as yet, not be incorporated with that gigantic item, and with a large surplus for other state expenditure, .so that the credit— the brightest jewel in the diadem of any State—of the United States, will be secured in the markets of the world, which will enable her to take her place by the side of the nation whence she sprung, and whose laws and institutions she so closely imitates. Nor are these sums merely upon paper to be considered as purely pro- spective. They have been realised, and are in the process of being realised, and the secretary of the Treasury at Washington can calculate with as great a certainty upon receiving the sums he puts down in his Budget, as our Chancellor of the Exchequer can those which he annually enumerates to (of recent years) an admiring audience in the House of Commons. The American people, then, may justly be proud of their country, and the vast strides which-irrespective of the civil strife, which seems to have brought out in stronger relief their industrial energies-it has made in material wealth and general prosperity during the last quarter of a century or so. It is true our American friends have at length come to enjoy the blessings of taxation, and are made collectively and indi- vidually to bear its peculiar and agreeable pressure; but, so long as their internal resources retain their natural spring and elasticity, and their free communication with the world receives no check, there can be little doubt but that American credit will be steadfastly maintained, and that both internally and externally she will reap the full benefit which cannot fail t; flow from it. I The Brazilian Loan is likely to attract a good f deal of attention, especially if the next mail should bring favourable new-; to the Brazilians, which may fairly be anticipated from the general condi- -c tion of their opponents. The internal resources of Brazil are considerable, and she has always fulfilled her monetary engagements. The general tone of the Money market is quiet, but prices are pretty well sustained, with a mode- rate extent of business. This, in fact, is the dead season," and it may take some little time before reanimation sets in. Consols fer money fluctuate from 89i to 90, and for account, 901 to 90. The applications for discounts are moderate, and the general rates are from 3t to 4 per cent, icr A 1 Bills.
Money Macket.
Money Macket. CITY, SEPT. 13. "The funds are AGAIN ratier flat to-day, although the Government broker has bought £ 20,000 liew Three per Cents, for the Sinking Fund. There_ is & fair demand for money to-day, and the geneitu rate for choice bills is still n to 4 per cent. Consols are now quoted 89i- to f for money, and 89-J to 90 for the account (Oct. 10). The official business report is as follows:—Three per Cent. Consols, for money, 89f, i; Three per Cents. Reduced, ooC t; New Three per Cents, Bank Stock, 24S 250; India Five per Cent. Stock, 105J-, t; ditto Bonds, 21s prem. Five per Cent. enfaced" rupee, paper, 109 and Exchequer Bills, 2s dis., 2s premium. The railway market is inactive to-day, and the variations in prices are not important. London and Nortii-Western stock is now quoted 124J to ex div.; Great Western, 66i to t; Midland", 1281 to ex div. and ex new: .Lancashire aaa Yorkshire, 121 to i, ex div.; South-Eastern, 8H to 82 j Metropolitan, 138J to 11, ex div. Great Northern, 132 to 134, ex div.; ditto A, 149 to 150, ex div.; .London and South- Western, 97 to J. ex div.; Great Eastern, 47-i to -ij aa& Caledonian, 1344 to 135J.
The Produce Market.
The Produce Market. MINCING-LANE, SEPT. II. —Sugar, a favourable opimoE. is "till entertained towards this article, stock decreasing, consumption enormous, and the demand at Havannah ex- tensive for America, thus causing a considerable decrease in shipments to Europe. Prices here to-day were strong. West India selling at 29s 6d to 38s; grainy, 37s to 43s* Mauritius, brown, 28s to 32s 6d; yellow, 33s to 36s; grainy' 37s to 42s; white Bengal, 36s to 39s; date, 27s to 34s'- grainy, 36s to 43s; native Madras, 27s to 3is ■ JaiTrerv' 26s 6d to 28s; Natal and Penang, 28s to 36s clayed Manila 31s 6d to 32s; unclayed, 28s 6d to 29s. and Porto Rico 31s to 40s.—Demand for Refined active and another rise- low lumps to-day not to be bought under 43g per cwt —- Market for Cocoa strong.—For green Tea a great demand, and high prices for fine: purchases mostly for America—A fair business in black Tea at previous terms.—Qpiees a free sale.—The market for new Dried Fruit dull, and pnces on the decline.—Only a small business ia Rice: rates for low to fine white Bengal, 12s to 16s; and soft grain, 9B 6d to 12s. A free sale for Provisions: prices for Irish Butter, 100s to 120s; fine Friezland, 114s to 116s; Jersey, as to quality, 90s to 106s; Irish Bacon. 72s to gZs; and Hambro, 72s to 76s. o —
[No title]
The Cattle Plague.—It is of the utmost import- ance at the present time that all assemblages of cattle which are not absolutely necessary shoald be avoided. It is not only that one diseased animal may coiLinsili- cate the pestilence to a dozen, and that the dozen may introduce it into as many different places, bat there is a chance of leaving a trail of contagion all along the ways by which such cattle come and so We are glad to observe, therefore, that, at the in- stance of Lord Lichfield, the Staffordshire Agricultural. Society has suspended its annual show. It is an example which should be followed all over the conntrv Indeed, any association designed to promote the int £ rests of agriculture must forfeit its pretensions if it do not follow the example.—Pali Mall Gazette. For grood health in the family choosp the imrest; and best Diet.—The PEARL delicious wholesome .mid economy; prized for the J>kmer. table, Children, and Infants. Sold bv Grocers FEE J FISCN, IrSTTCHj MANUFACTURER. Agents, Hicks Brothers* S.C.
A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. --n
A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. --n THE probability of Westminster School being re- moved from its present site brings me to comment upon its origin and character. Westminster School was formerly attached to the Monastery of the Benedictines in the Middle Ages. In the six- teenth century it formed the nucleus of the city of Westminster, and the Abbey church and various contiguous buildings still remain to testify the extent and spleadour of the establishment. The school, to the present time, remains within the Abbey precincts in Dean's-yard, but it derives its foundation from Queen Elizabeth, who, in 1560, re-established the Dean and Chapter, and rendered the church collegiate. It was originally intended that the parishioners of Westminster should here have an opportunity of educating their children gratuitously, but of late years the boys are only instructed in classics and mathematics, and these attainments not being necessary in commercial pursuits, the children of the nobility and gentry have occupied the place of tradesmen's sons, who are boarders in the establishment, the rich parents paying handsomely for the education they receive. Some of the most distinguished men that this country has produced have been educated at this seminary. Since Elizabeth's time forty Queen's scholars, selected from the school, receive a certain amount annually from the endowment; and, in the eighteenth century, the funds being found sufficient, an additional forty King's scholars were added, who are allowed a pension from this school during their collegiate career. Of late years Westminster School has dwindled down from between five and six hundred to less than one-half the number. The neighbourhood in which it is situated has become so crowded that parents consider it an unhealthy spot for their children; they will not send them to breathe the smoky air of large cities, if it can be avoided. So Westminster, with its grand memories, has but few scholars; therefore it has been deter- mined by the school trustees to remove the site of the old school higher up the river, to Henley- on-Thames-a spot which will bear a resemblance to that on which the original schools were built, in regard to its proximity to the great city; for London at the present time virtually extends far beyond Westminster, and the traffic on the mighty Thames has fouled the water so that there is no fishing, and has made boating dangerous by reason of the numerous steamers and trading vessels i which are continually paddling and sailing on its surface. Old writers tell us of Westminster boys who were expert anglers, and of their prowess in boating, when this was only a suburb of London, and the water was clear and untainted with the sewerage of a great city. There are prophets who sewerage of a great city. There are prophets who tell us that the time is not far distant when the bosom of the Thames will again be clear, and that the residents of London will be enabled to angle in the water with a good chance of catching fish. Indeed some of the London papers have reported that trout and other fish have recently been caught just above Westminster-bridge. For my own part, I should believe that the poor animals were suffocated as soon as they entered the muddy stream, for no one can suppose it possible they could exist long in such water. What it may be- come when the main drainage is completed, and all the refuse of London is carried far away into the Essex marshes, deponent sayeth not; but I am afraid that it will never again be the clear stream within half-a-dozen miles of London- bridge such as poets of old delighted to picture. But to return to Westminster Schools. The spot chosen by the trustees on which to erect the new buildings is a picturesque ground, near Henley-on- Thames. The river is at that point perfect for boating; there are fish to be caught, and there are open fields and green hedges on its banks. It will be a capital thing for this old town, which of late years has been fast sinking into obscurity. It is, perhaps, at the present time one of the oldest and dullest towns in Oxfordshire. The wanderer who finds himself there on any but a regatta day will be surprised at the absence of anything like business. He might see a few fishermen who pass their days drowsily in punts; at the close of the evening he will see these men lazily comparing notes of their catch, which on the average does not amount to more than will sell for two shillings to each man, and these are generally .eels, for which Eenley is said to be noted. One solitary inn, locking as a thing of the past, is all that re- minds the traveller-of old times. This is the Red Lion, the inn in which Shenstone wrote on the parlour window— ''Whoe'er has travelled life's dull round, Where'er his stages may'have been, May sigh to think that he has found His warmest welcome at-eai inn." And the great Dr. Johnson, it will be (remem- bered, seeing this recorded on the glass, en- dorsed Shenstone's statement. But if West- minster comes down to Henley, what a change there will be in the ancient town. Then joyous boyhood will throng the old streets. Then confec- tioners amd fruiterers will increase and multiply. Then numberless boats will shoot under Henley- bridge and flash along Remenham-reach. Then Eton will have tough work to beat Westminster on its own water; and it is probable that even Elizabeth's famous foundation will be revivified, and rise again to its pristine eminence. Perhaps it may not be known to the general reader that the Upper Forms of Westminster School have the privilege of attending the debates in Parliament-a privilege which they freely use. On any great night) such as a Budget in the Commons, or a violent disputation in the ILords, the caps and gowns of the Westminster boys will be seen in the lobby of the House, tumbling agaiast everybody, and uncertain. where to go, continually chattering and debating among themselves until the speaker they have come tø hear rises, then comes a rush to the ambassadois or peers' seats in the Commons, or to any vacant space in front of the bar, and Lord Charles Russell has to be more than usually active to keep them within the prescribed limits. I wonder if the Fifth and Sixth Forms will be allowed tG pursue their political education when they go to Henley, or whether their ancient right of admission to both House-s of Parliament will cease. In' speaking of foundation schools, it has been contended that there are very few which give the education necessary for middle-class boys. That for the nobility and gentry there are Eton and Harrow, of long honoured memory, together with Westminster, Winchester, Rugby, Harrow, Shrews- bury, Cheltenham, Marlborough, &e. At each of these the expense is oftentimes a bar to Pater- familias sending his sons there to be educated; for X150 to .£200 a year is a large sum for a father of a large family to pay for each of his sons. and the person who has a limited income has no op- portunity of using these great public schools. There is a mode of education in them, however which does not find its way to other educational establishments. These schools are little republics for boys—places where emulation prompts the youths to deeds of daring, to perfection in athletic exercises, and to learning for learning sake, and not in the parrot system of some of our modern schools. At Eton or Westminster, at Harrow, Rugby, or Shrewsbury, merit always wins its way, and merit of every kind. The captain of the boats at Eton is a great man, and so is the best cricketer, the longest winded at foot- ball, or the swiftest after the beagles; so also is the best actor or debater, the readiest writer of Latin verse, &c. A public school shows a boy his level, teaches him courage and truthfulness, and -cures him of conceit.. Who, that has seen Terence's ancient plays performed at Westminster j before the boys leave for the vacation in Decem- i ber, has not given them credit for a wonderfal i amount of patience and talent to accomplish their grand task, and who will say that that display of ability has not been the means of forming many a strong-minded man ? There are, howsver, schools fitted for the middle classes, where more arithmetic and less Greek and Latin is taught, such as St. Paul's, Merchant Tailors, the City of London, &c., upon which I will touch in my next contribution.
The Corn Trade.
The Corn Trade. MARK-LANE, SEPT. n. English Wheat the marhet was plentifully supplied to-day, and only a mode- rate demand. Prevailing rates further gave way 2s per qr.: new white selling at 37s to 47s; red, 36i3 to 44s; Talavera, 47s to 57s j old white, 47s to 53s; and red, 4.3s to 47s per qr. -a clearance not being- made.—There was a quiet market, for foreign, plenty on offer, and rates rather gave way: ranging at 405 to 54s per quarter, according to qualify. American cautiously dealt m, and prices are rather lower, 43s to 46s being accepted.-Only a moderate trade in Flour, and the currency weak, best town-made selling at 40s to 438; seconds, 36s to 38s; 30s to 35s French and Spanish, 33s to 36s per sack; and American, 23s to 28s per brl.—Demand for Barley equal to supply, and the currency strong, malting realisms: 318 to 36s; grinding and distillmgr, 26s to 30s and foreign, 23s to 33s per quarter, as to quality, -Malt, was readily dealt in, and the terms obtained for pale, 58s to 66s and brown, 50s to 56s.-0a.ta brought full value, and were largely purchased, but supply plentiful: prices for English and Irish Potato are 24s to 26s 6d; feed and black, 19s 6d to 24s Scotch, as to quality. 22s to 28s; and foreign, 20s 6J to 26s 6d.—Sales in Rye at 2ls to 32s. Beans were "dealt in with caution, and prices not so firm; ranging for Mazagan at 36s to 40s; tick, 37s to 42s: Harrow and. pigeon, 42s to 44s; and Egyptian, 34s to 'Ss.-Pea,s still firm in value, and in fair request: white and maple, 38a to 42s; and grey, 34s to 38s.—Considerable transactions in Lin- seed, and prices rising.—Sapeseed in good demand, aad prices strong. Linseed Cakes cautiously dealt in: sellers of town-made at £ 10 to £10 5s; American, £9 10s to £ 10 5s: and Marseilles, at P,9 per ton.—The value of Cotton. Seed Cake is £ 4 17s 6d, and dull of sale. LIVERPOOL, SEPT. B.- market moderately atten- ded. Wheat quiet at Friday's quotations; Flour Id lower. In all ather articles the prices favour purchasers. HAY, SMITHFIELD, SEPT. 12 —Mr. Charles James Eastern, reports trade slow at last day's prices:—Prime old clover from 120s to 140s; inferior ditto, 130s to 110s; prima meadow hay, 110s to 123s; inferior ditto, 95s to 105s j straw 36s to 42s. COTTON, LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 13, quiet sales about 6,000 bales. TALLOW, SEPT. 12. —The market is arm at the following prices :—Town tallow, 46s 9d, net cash; Petersburg T.C. on the snot, 46s 3d to 48s 6d; October to December, 46s 3d to 46s 6(f; December, 47s 3d January to March, i7s 9d; March, 48s. HOPS, BOROUGH, SEPT. 11. —Messrs. Pattenden and Smith report an active demand for ail descriptions of the new growth, a large portion of which has now arrived at market. Prices as under :—Mid and East Kents, £6 to jES 8s; Weald ditto, 95s to £5 5s to £7; Sussex, 90s to £5 5s to £6. EGGS, SEPT. 11. —Of Eggs consumption unusually large, but no falling off in supplies, and prices are for English, Scotch, and Irish, 5s 10d to 6s 9d per 120: French, 4s 3d to 6s 9d; and Spanish, 4s 6d to 5s. POULTRY, SEPT. 11. —Arrivals of Poultry are large, but there is a. brisk trade, and high prices obtained, ranging for geese at 5s 6d to 7s each; fowl?, as 10d to 3s chickens, 2s 4d to 3s; ducklings, 2s 4d to 3s: tame rabbits, Is 5d to Is 8d; pigeons, 5d to 9d; live ducks and fowls, 22s to 24s per dozen. Game arriving in large quantities, and meets with a free sale, quality and condition generally being fine: the ra.tes obtained for partridges are Is to Is 6d each; and for grouse, fo,_ 2s 4d to 2s 6d the couple. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, CovENT GABDEH." — Outdoor produce is abundant. Large importations of French goods still continue to arrive. English, pears comprise Williams, Bon Chretien, and Beurre d'AmanKa. For pine- apples there is an improved demand. Grapes, apples, and plums are abundant. Kent filberts are coming in in good condition; owing to the crop being short they are selling freely at from 80s to 100s per lOOlbs. Of good potatoes there is no scarcity, but among inferior samples may be fotmd many that are diseased. Flowers chiefly consist of orchids, heaths, carnations, picotees, mignonette, and roses. Pine-apples per lb., 4s to 6s s Grapes, per lb., Is 3d to 3s; Peaches, per doz., 3s to 6s: Nectarines, do., Is to 4s: Apricots, do., Is 6d to 3s; Figs, do., Is to 2s; Plums, per pumi., 9d to Is 6d: Apples, per sieve, Is Od to, 2s; PeaTs, per sieve, 2s 6d to 4s 6d; Oranges, per 100, 148 to i.tOs.: Lemons, per 100,8s to 14s; Nuts, cob, per 1001b.. 80s to 000s; Brazil, per bushel, 18s; Almonds, do., 138 to 20a. Cabbages,, per doz., Is 6d to 2s 6d; French Beans, per half sieve, 2s to 3s; Peas, per sieve, 2s to 4s; Potatoes, York Be- gents, per ton, 90s to 100s; Bocks, ditto, 60s to 70s; Flukes, ditto, 110s to 140s new, round, Sa to 12s per cwt.; ditto, Kidneys, 8s to 12a per cwt.; Carrots;, per bunch, 6d to 8d: Turnips, pa: bunch, 4d to 6d j Cucumbers, each, 2d to 6d; Beet, per doz., Is 6d to 2s; Shallots, per lb., 8d; Garlic, per lb., 8d; Lettuces* per dozen, Is Od; Endive, per score, Is to 2s 6d; Artichokes, per doz., 4s to 6s; Horseradish, per bur cb Is to 4s; Mushrooms, per pott., Is to Is 6d; Parsley, par doz. bunches, 2s to 4s. Herbs, per bunch, -6d.
Cattle Market.
Cattle Market. METROPOLITAN, SEPT. 11. supply of Beasts is considerably larger than on Monday last, and trade is very dull, consequently prices are lower for all kinds. Sheep ajre also more plentiful. Prices on the average are lower, although there is not much reduction in choicest qualities. Trade is heavy for Calves at about late rates. Ficit Germany and Holland there are 3,710 beasts, 16,740 sheer), 257 calves, and 275 pigs. Scotland, 50 beasts; Ireland, 330; and 1,610 from the northern and midland counties. Per stone of 81bs. s. d. s. d. Per stone of 81bs. So d. s. cL Best Scots, Hf da. 5 0 5 4 Best Long-wools 6 2 3 4 Best Short-horap 4 10 5 2 Do. do. shorn 0 0 0 0 2nd. qual. beasts 2 8 3 8 Ewes Sc 2d. goal. 5 0 5 8 Calves. 3 6 5 2 Do. do. shorn. 0000 Pigs .3 0 4 8 Lambs 0 0 0 0 Best Dns ii-bdsB. 6 4 6 8 j Beasts atmarket, 5,920; Sheep and Lambs,30,050; Calves-, 265; Pigs, 475.