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(Our fotWOTi Correspanbcnt.…
(Our fotWOTi Correspanbcnt. (We deem it right to state that we do not At all times identify ourselves with oar Oorrespeadenfs •piniMis.] Westward the course of empire takes its way. His- tory, both sacred and profane, has told ua of the cities of -the olden time which flourished upon the plains of the gorgeous east; and it has told us that for centuries «ivilizatiori gradually moved from the rising to the setting sun, leaving desolate the banks of the Euphrates and the Tigris, and populating those of the Thames and the Seine. The cormorant circles over the ruins of Babylon; the bittern wails over the des- truction of Nineveh; silence now reigns where once was all bustle in Thebes and Memphis; but far to the west of these, all is life, and energy, and activity in London and Paris. And still looking westward, across the Atlantic, there is a new world which is young and vigorous enough to be in existence when the dome of St. Paul's has crumbled into dust, and the cathedral towers of Notre Dame have become a wreck. It is a curious fact that the increase of the British capital has been mostly in the direction of the declining sun. It has been travelling west ever since the time of the Plantagents; from the City to the Strand, to Canonbury, and Clerkenwell; then under the Stuart Kings to the more northern parts of the parish of St. Clement Danes and to Whitehall; aext, under William III. and Anne, to Bloomsbury and Soho; under the early Georges to the Portland sad Portman estates; then to the land of the House of Grosvenor; and lastly to South Kensington. The centre of the West-end is the region round about Pall Mall, the name of which is derived from a game still popular in some of the Italian cities. In Trafalgar square rises the Nelson Column, with the four gigantic lions at its base, while all around are the palatial clubs, embracing as they do the most active and intellectual members of London society. The historical spirit of the West-ead still lingers in the neighbourhood of Leicester-square, once the residence of princes, painters, and scientific men. Again, the west of London possesses in its Abbey probably the most beautiful specimen of ecclesiastical architecture in Christendom, the embodi- ment of a shadowy past facing the Palace of the Legis- lature, with it3 prosaic realities of the present. Then there are the palaces of our Sovereign, Buckingham and St. James's, and the Parks, so often described as the lungs of a great city. In Rotten Row, which by the way is a corruption of Rue du Roi "-the Street of the King—life and fashion may be seen during the season in all their splendour. Now is the time when the May meetings are at their height. Persons interested in organizations religious, benevolent, and philanthropic, now come up to London and swell these gatherings, a large proportion of which are held in Exeter HalL Many is the country reader who will remember with pleasure the associations con- nected with this structure, which is not called after the cathedral city of Devonshire, but because it is built upon land which is the property of the Marquis of Exeter. Pass along the Strand towards Exeter Hall, and you cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that it is as characteristic a thoroughfare as any in the metropolis. Its palaces are gone, and not even a tablet marks their site, or guards their reminiscences, and so the only reminder of days gone by is to be found in the names of the streets running southward towards the Thames, or northward in the direction of Holborn. These recaT the vicissitudes in the lives of some of the great nobles who exercised political power in past ages. Essex-street is associated with the life of the Earl of Essex; Surrey-street is a reminder of the Earl of Surrey; Norfolk-street, of the Duke of Norfolk; Burleigh-street, of Lord Burleigh; Cecil-street, of more than one member of that illustrious family; Salisbury- street, of the Marquis of Salisbury; Northumberland- street, of the Duke of Northumberland; Exeter-street, ef the Marquis of Exeter Buckingham-street, of the Duke of Buckingham; Villiers-street, of the Clarendon family; Southampton-street, of the Earl of South- ampton Bedford-street, of the Duke of Bedford, and so on. In the vicinity of Covent Garden was once the well-know Beefsteak Club, where the chief wits of the capital were accustomed to meet every Saturday. Adjoining the famous market of that name stood the church where, after a life of ceaseless wandering, many of them found their last resting-place. The Beefsteak Club has passed away, and in the old churchyard, where such a number of its members repose, the white headstones seem, in the moonbeams, like the ghosts of the departed, hovering round the place of their rest. But the giant life of the great city is as active as ever and not devoted to wealth alone, shows through the medium ef Exeter Hall that it delights to send civilization and the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. The visit of the Crown Princess of Germany to Her Majesty is a subject which recalls some interesting re- miniscences. It seems difficult to believe that more than twenty years have elapeed since her Royal High- ness was married to Prince Frederick William of Prussia, and took her departure from London in the midst of a heavy snowstorm. In those two decades ti e changes which affect mankind by the working of unalterable laws have been markedly visible in the Royal family. On the 25th of January, 1858, when the Princess Royal's wedding took place, the Duchess of Kent and the Prince Consort were there; yet to-day their remains have been for mi)re than half a generation at rest within sight of th'i towers of Windsor Castle. The Princess was the fir-it of the Queen's children to be married; and her example has been followed by two of her brothers and three of her sisters. When she left home, her Majesty's youngest child, Princess Beatrice, who completed her twenty-first y ear three weeks ago, was an infant only a few months old, so that the two sisters who have just been enjoying the delightful recreations of Windsor together, respectively the eldest and youngest of the family, have seen very little of each other. To the Princess Beatrice, who was not five years old when her father died, his illustrious memory must be little more than a shadow of a name. The Princess Royal was described by Lord Palmerston, Prime Minister at the time of her marriage, as a lady both in heart and head worthy of the splendid position which she was to occupy amongst the reigning sovereignb of Europe; and at that ornate ceremony there was no more con- spicuous figure than the venerable Premier, who stood at the Queen's right hand, and wielded the Sword of State with a most martial air. St. James's Park, with its mournful memories, was then in high favour, for the Court was kept at Buckingham Palace, and the wedding took place at the Chapel Royal, at the top of the fine drive known as the Mall, which was crowded by a vast multitude all eager to congra- tulate the bride, who, has now a daughter married to the Hered ir ry Grand Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, and a son filling a high and responsible position in the German army. The Registrar-General tells us that the marriage- rate of a country is a certain indication of its commercial condition. If the population is pros- perous the marriage-rate rises; if trade is in a state of decadence it falls. The rate for 1877 did not exceed 15 per 1,000, and was lower than in any year since 1847, when it was equally low During the commercial depression which followed the crisis of 1866, the rate in England and Wales declined antil 1869; then four years in succession it rose until 1873; since then it has again as steadily fallen. Nothing could well be more conclusive than these facts. At the same time emigration is showing an in- crease. Compared with the first three months of 1877, emigration during the last quarter augmented by 18 per oont. in England, 12 in Scotland, and 28 in Ire- land. Of the 15,576 British emigrants, 42 per cent. left for the United States, 31 for the Australian Colonies, 7 for British North America, and 20 per cent. for all other places. In connection with the address presented to Earl Russeli on the fiftieth anniversary of the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, some interesting facts may be gathered showing, the enormous differenee between now and then. The noble earl, who was then Lord John Kusseil, himself brought in the Bill, and carried i: through all its stages. It was in the Session of 1823, when George IV. was king, and the Duke of Wellington was Prime Minister. The chronicler of the annals of that time estimated the progress of the country from the number of turn- pike roads in it, for there were no railways. George Stephenson was then engaged in the construction of a line between Liverpool and Manchester, and modestly estimated that the trains would be enabled to travel at the rate of thirty miles an hour, although he had no doubt that improvements would be effected which would ensure a higher rate of speed. The Flying Dutchman of the Great Western, and the Flying Scotchman of the Great Northern, now testify to the prescience of that extraordinary man. But perhaps the most wonderful point of contrast between the present and the past is found in an Act of that same session of 1828, levy- ing an import duty of £1 4s. 8d. per quarter on foreign-grown corn when British wheat was 62s. and under 63s. per quarter, making the import duty 21 5s. 4d. when home-grown wheat fell below 623. So that the price of wheat was then between 85s. and 86s. per quarter. Let us now see what was the average price of corn in the first three months of 1878. Fifty shillings and tenpence This was a further decline of Is. 6d. from the average prioes in the last two quarters of 1877. Animal food is of course dearer now, but it has not risen in propor tion as the price of bread has become cheaper, owing to the repeal of the Corn Laws. Leaving the winter behind us, and with the long summer days now full in view, we can look back with complacency upon the months of gloom thathave passed away. It has often been said that the old fashioned winters have ceased to exist, and so it would appear from our latest experiences. The mean temperature was, with few exceptions, unusually high between the 1st and 14th January, whereas from the 25th January to the 12th February there was an average deficiency. A warm period set in on the 13th February, and lasted until the 13th March. After nine days of a variable atmosphere, unseasonably severe weather set in on the 23rd March, and lasted until the end of that month. The measured rainfall of the first three months of this year was but three inches, or two inches below the average amount in the corresponding period of sixty- three years. The deficiency was an inch in January, and half an inch in February and in March. Since 1815 there have been but four instances of so small a rainfall during the first quarter of the year. Long. fellow has told us that- "All is of God If he but wave his hand, The mists collect, the rain falls thick and loud, Till, with a smile of light on sea and land, Lo! He looks back from the departing cloud."
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY. The annual banqnet of the Royal Academy was held in London on Saturday, at Burlington House, Sir J. Gilbert in the chair. In the course of his speech, in responding for the "Army and the Reserve Forces," the Duke of Cambridge said' "Everyone, I am sure, in this room will be glad to hear the statement I am about to make. We have been passing for some time through considerable changes in the Army under the new system of short enlistment, and we were not aware what the exact effect of that system might be; but circumstances have enabled us to test it, and I am happy to say that the success of the measure has been complete. (Cheers.) When it was first introduced by my noble friend, Lord CardweU, I had some doubts whether it would answer; but it has succeeded in a manner that neither I nor anyone connected with the Army could have expected. (Cheers.) I must also say that the system introduced by my gallant friend General Peel in connexion with the Militia Reserves has been most successful. I have seen large numbers of men from every portion of the country, not only Englishmen, but Scotchmen and Irishmen, belonging to the Reserve, who, both physically and in every other respect, were entirely fitted to take their place in the ranks. (Cheers.) I can only say, though we are supposed to be given some- what to grumbling, I have heard no complaints from any quarter. So far as the Army is concerned, it is every- thing that could be wished. It is not a large Army, but it is a useful Army, and ready for anything it may be re- quired to do. (Cheers.) I have not been personally con- nected with the Indian service, but I am in daily cor- respondence with the officers of the Indian Army; and I rejoice to be enabled to state that our Indian Army is in the highest state of efficiency and disci- pline. You may take it anywhere, and it will be pre- pared to do all you require of it. It is my firm con- viction, from the enthusiastic feeling which I know prevails in the Indian Army, that it would be able to hold its place with her Majesty's British Army in every portion of the globe. In responding to the toast of the "Navy," Mr. W. H. Smith aaid- I have great pleasure in responding to the toast, which has been received in this hall for many years with great enthusiasm, and never, I believe, with greater enthusiasm than on the present occasion. Fol- lowing his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, I can say that the Navy has been passing of late years through great changes. The material of the Navy has been changed even more completely than the Army. My friend sitting on my right has complained to me that the ships of the present day are unpaintable. That, no doubt, is to be regretted; but the sailor always conceives that to be a beautiful ship which is capable of doing its duty thoroughly and main- taining the honour of its flag. (Cheers.) I believe there never was a time when the ships of the Navy were more fit for the discharge of the duties expected of them. (Hear, hear.) I cer- tainly could wish that our reserve was larger than it is; but if the force is not great, it is, I believe, adequate for the work that may lie before it. (Cheers.) I am sure that the sailors of the British navy will maintain the character and Reputation which have always been associated with the name of England. (Cheers.) I have within the last few days had an opportunity of seeing something of the recently- manned ships of the British Navy; ahd whereas it used in former times to be said that the last-manned ships were by no means what could be wished, I am glad to say that from all I hear from men of expe- rience the last-manned ships had the most magnificent crews. (Cheers.) I beg to thank you for the toast you have drunk on the part of Her Majesty's Navy. (Cheers.) The Earl of Beaconsfield, in acknowledging the toast of Her Majesty's Ministers," said it was the act of a wise Government fro recognise the influence of the fine arts on the character and conduct of the nation, and he should be prepared to act upon that conviction. He also spoke of the advantages enjoyed by the British school of artists, and what they had accomplished. The Lord Chancellor responded ior "The Guests."
THE PARIS EXHIBITION DESCRIBED.
THE PARIS EXHIBITION DESCRIBED. The following extract is from an interesting article in the Daily News:- No exhibition was ever designed on a grander scale, and none have more completely realised the concep- tions of the artists who planned them. When we re- flect that it is only two years and one month ago since the Exhibition was decreed, and that now a very city of palaces and gardens rises on the Champ de Mars and on the heights of the Trocadero, which were then bleak wildernesses, one must acknowledge that the creative resources of man are infinite. The towering masses of architecture, the profusion of art work, paint- ing, sculpture, decoration, the fountains and flowers, and the accumulated stores of industrial trea- sures, all produce an effect which is at first full of dazzle, ana then humbling. One thinks of what men might do to make this earth of ours fair and pleasant, if they would labour in peace for a hundred years with- out cutting one another's throats. All the marvels of this Exhibition have been collected for le" than a tithe of what it costs to prosecute the cheapest war. With the sum which the French paid for their last tussle with Germany they might have erected as permanencies in their lands hundreds of those beautiful and useful buildings of which we see here the models. There are plans of schools, hospitals, asylums, bridges, and it put me out of patience with human folly to think that many of thess necessary works, for which busy districts are clamouring, cannot be executed because the state moneys are requiredfor the purchase of big guns and fortresses. The cannons are the dearest things in this collection of wonders. There are one or two ugly 80-tons, like mammoth champagne bottles of steel, which cost more than a whole row of model cottages, and which will doubtless prove more expensive still before their career is ended. If Exhi- bitions serve any purpose beyond sight-seeing it ought to be that of leading men to moralise on the queer distemper which urges whole races to destroy where they might build, and to scatter misery where they might establish peace, plenty, and comfort. The distinctive feature of the present Exhibition is the palace on the TrocadtSro facing the Champs de Mars and enthroned upon an eminence which over. looks Paris and the whole valley of the Seine. Built by MM Davioud and Bourdais in a compo- site style of architecture, half Moorish, half Renais- sance, its dome and glittering minarets make it con- spicuous for miles away. It will survive the Exhibition, for the Town Council 'Of Paris have decided to buy it as a museum. Its rotunda, which holds 7,000 persons, is the place where the in- augural ceremony was held and where the prizes will be distributed in October. Flanking the rear of the rotunda and spreading in two shapely semi- circles to right and left are the wings, occupied by exhibits of gflass, porcelain ware, and statuary. Terracea with colonnades front the wings, and overlook the gardens which slope down to the river ] quay, as also the cascade and fountains, which des- cend from the foot of the rotunda, and bisect the grounds. Eight large basins, Burrounded by smaller ones, compose the reservoirs of this cascade, and each is provided with a giant water-spout. That of the broadest and lowermost basin throws up a jet to the height of eighty-three feet, splashing the colossal statues of the four beasts which adorn the pedestals at the basin's angles, viz. :-A bull by M. Cain a horse, by Rouillart; a rhinoceros, by Jacquemart; and an elephant, by Frémiet. The rhinoceros, standing with his fore-paws elevated on a boulder of rock, is espe- cially remarkable. All about the garden of the Trocadero are scattered houses illustrative of Oriental architecture, and standing amidst spruce lawns and flower-beds. There are the Chinese, Japanese, Persian, Tunisian, and Algerian palaces, guarded by the natives of those countries in picturesque costumes. Then comes a Spanish restaurant on a large scale, an aquarium full of sea and river fish, a grotto which by a cunning arrangement of a million little squares of mirror imitates stalactite, after which we have more than a score of conservatories and hothouses, bloom- ing with every flower that man has ever seen— flowers of the tropics of India and South Africa, mingling with the roses and camellias of our own latitudes, and affording a show which nursery gardeners will gaze upon with something more than admiration. All the buildings in this garden would deserve a separate description but for the present we must pass on, merely noticing as we go the splendid trophy of outdoor tulips planted by the city of Haarlem. It represents the coat of arms of the Dutch town in tulips of every imaginable colour, and around its figure the words Haarlem, Holland," in scarlet tulips on a ground of white ones. Crossing the Seine by the Bridge of Jena (the same which Blucher wanted to blow up), which has been widened and raised, we pass over the subway to the opposite quay, where the tramcars and railway trains run and so enter the Champs de Mars. Here, again, we came upon a wide garden stocked with flower-beds, hot- houses, ornamental lakes, and palaces of different nations. To the right two charming English cottages almost defy description by their nattiness and evident appropriateness as abodes for lovers. To the left we have a collection of model foundries and manufactures, in which the Creusot, St. Chamond, and Serre-Noire are represented. A model of the observatory of Mont Jouvis occupies a plot of ground near the quay, and close to it is an annexe of the State Tobacco Factory of France, where cigars are sold. Threading a long lawn skirted by innumerable kiosques, for the sale of newspapers, refreshments, guide-books, &c., we come to the imposing facade of the Exhibition building, crowned by two glorious genii, below which figure six emblematical statues of European nations, England being twice symbolished, first as Britannia and secondly as a Colonial Power. We are now in the Exhibition proper, and are at once struck by the magnificent novelty unfolded before us in the shape of the Street of Foreign Nations, a thoroughfare eight hundred yards long, bordered by houses of every species of ancient and modern architecture. No such a street was ever presented to human eye before, and the grandest dreams of the opium smoker would not show him one like it. The Prince of Wales's magic Indian pavilion comes first, followed by the severe but tasteful facade of a model factory, devised by some manufacturer having brains as well as money, and not imbued with the idea that factories need of necessity be associated with unsightliness Then comes a ravishing row of pleasure villas, such as one may admire on the banks of the Thames about Richmond and Maidenhead after which the United States, Sweden, Norway, and Italy all exhibit their dwellings of brick or wood, and their palaces of marble. Japan, China, Spain, and Austria- Hungary may be studied next; then comes Russia, with houses curiously painted; Switzerland, with cot- tages and dairies; Belgium, with fretted models of Flemish town-halls; then Greece, Denmark, South America, Morocco, Luxemburg, and Monaco, Portu- gal and Holland—all in the order named. These houses stand to the right of the Grand Street, and the architectural sample of each nation forms the fagade to the industrial and art sections which lie behind. The whole of the left side of the street and the left wing of the Exhibition building to the rear are occu- pied by French houses and by the French sections of exhibits, so that France alone has chartered a space equal to that of all other nations clubbed together. Among foreign-countries England stands foremost, both for the extent and excellence of its productions. And what a show theirs makes If the juries begin their work of prize-giving with any prejudice as to England being a laggard in matters of industrial art, they will have to recant that opinion on studying the exquisite master-works of china, glass-ware, fur- niture, and tapestry, which I humbly consider may vie with the best productions of Sbvres, Baccaret, and the Gobelins respectively. I say nothing of the mechanical exhibits, engines, and such like, in which Englishmen do not generally expect to be rivalled, much less outdone.
LORD CARNARVON AT NEWBURY.
LORD CARNARVON AT NEWBURY. The Earl of Carnarvon, whose picturesque estate, High- clere-park, is situated about four miles from Newbury, visited that town on Tuesda., and opened the Municipal Buildings which the Corporation have just erected in the market-place at a cost of £ 6,000 or £ 7,000. An Address was presented to his lordship, which expressed attach- ment to his lordship pert-onaliy, and to his family, and a grateful appreciation of the interest invariably shown by his lordship in all that concerned the welfare of the loyal and ancient borough. The Address concluded by expressing a sincere hope that his lordship might be "granted many years of health and happiness, and that the day might come when he would again be able to lend to the administration ofpublic affairs the assistance of his high talent and great experience. In acknowledging the Address, his lordship made a brief reference to his resignation of the Secretaryship of State for the Colonies. He said It would be idle to say that I am ignorant that many of my friends-some of those whom I value most—have,felt pained at the course which I thought it my duty to take a few months since. Well, I can only say that as time goes on I think they will see that, situated as I was, and with my convictions, I had no other alternative as an honourable man. (Cheers.) To be on the losing side in politics is a very small matter. It happens, and it must happen, to all those who take an active and conscientious part in politics some time in their lives. Within my own experience, I-have so often seen the wheel of public opinion revolve that personally I have no great misgiving; but in a public point of view-and in this I think every man in this room will agree with me—I am quite sure of this, that where a Minister of the Crown has to deal with that which is con- fessed to be not a question of detail, but a vital, essential, and cardinal question, he has no right to subordinate his opinions to his desires; and it is better for him. better for the Crown that he serves, better for the party to which he belongs, and better for the country generally, that he should make a sacrifice of place and position, however dis- agreeable that sacrifice may be. The service which a Minister is called upon to render where he is free to carry out his opinion is a very high and honourable service.; but pray remember this, that public service is not confined to the precincts of Downing-street. Opportunities for it exist in all parts of the country, and I can say, from my own experience, that there is just as good, conscientious, high, and, I will say, useful work done out of London, in our counties, and in county towns like Newbury, as can be done in any Cabinet Council of the Queen. In speaking of the House of Lords, Earl -earnarvon re- marked t What shall I say of it without preaching a homily with which you are just as familiar as I am ? It is one of the oldest institutions in the country, and it recommends itself, I believe, by many titles to the respect and the goodwill of all classes of our fellow-subjects. It is, as you know, pri- marily and mainly connected with the landed proprietary of this country but, on the other hand, it has the great advantage of being recruited from every single class of dis- tinction within the realm. Lawyers have furnished a very large proportion; soldiers, sailors, diplomatists, men of com- merce, of literature, and of art-all in turn have contributed; and I believe I may say without exaggeration there is hardly a single department of thought or of action in the country which may not find worthy representatives in the House of Lords. Of late another class has been added to our numbers —I mean members of the House of Commons; and whether I look on the side where I sit or on the opposite side, I see constantly the faces of men who have played high and dis- tinguished parts in the House of Commons. I might indeed almost anticipate the speech of the hon. member who is to follow me, and return thanks for the House of Commons as well as the House of Lords for at this moment one-half ot those who take a prominent part in the debates of the House of Lords are late members of the House of Commons. There is another great quality which the House of Lords possesses. For many years past it has shown a singu- lar power of adapting itself to the changing ten- dencies of the times. Sometimes it has been a little ahead; sometimes it has been a little in the rear; some- times it has been more liberal in its political tendencies than the House of Commons, sometimes less so; but, taking it all in all, the action of the House of Lords has been singu- larly in conformity with the spirit of the time in which it lived. In this respect it seems to me to be really almost unlike any other similar political body I can call to mind. It has been my duty very often to watch closely the action of the Chambers in our Colonies. They have sometimes suc- ceeded sometimes their action has been attended with partial failure; and it can be no offence to them to say they are very far short-indeed of the pattern the House of Lords and the House of Commons have set them. Once only in the history of the House of Lords has it been in danger from within, and that was at the time of the passing of the Reform Bill. Once only has it been in danger from without, and that was by legislation at the time of Sir R. Walpole. A Peerage Bill was proposed by which it, was designed to limit the number of the House of Lords, and had that limitation been carried out there can be no reason- able doubt in the mind of any one who knows the history of this country that the House of Lords would have degenera- ted into a close and probably a selfish monopoly; and that if it had lasted unto our own time, it would not have achieved what it has with more or less success accomplished. Happily it was preserved from the fate which threatened it; let me do the House of Commons the justice to say, not by the wisdom of the House of Lords, but by the Wisdom of the House of Commons. It was Sir R. Walpole and some statesmen of his day who interfered to arrest the hasty and fatal legislation to which the House of Lords had been suicidally disposed to assent. In speafcng of the improvements and changes that had taken place in recent years, the noble lord said- If any of our grandfathers could return to life and see this country so different from tbat which they kaew in their time, they would acknowledge the vast change, for the better In many ways, that has occurred. They would see on all sides of them churches they knew in ruins restored and raised up in stateliness; they would see new and fine houses rising through the length and breadth of the land-the whole country growing, as it -were, into a garden; and, above all things, they would be struck by the vast growth and expansion of our towns, and, first and fore- most, by the great public buildings that adorn those towns. Time was, indeed, when all through Europe the great towns travellers sometimes visit were full of stately build- ings, and upon the face of these buildings, and in their architecture the public thoughts, feelings, religion, and life of the time were impressed. That has all passed away with the spirit that created that state of things it has passed away for better or for worse but there has been from a different point of view a partial revival as regards the erection of great buildings. Far and wide we see, both in England and in Europe, the spirit spread which delights in the creation of these municipal buildings. London twenty-five years ago was the first, perhaps, to set the example. No man can now pass through the city without being struck with the grand and stately collection of streets and buildings which adorn it. The great provincial towns have followed the example of London-Liverpool, with its great quays and docks, and Manchester, Birming- ham, Leeds, and other towns with their public edifices. Formerly our only great buildings were in the south of England within the last 25 years the north has obtained almost a monopoly of them, and has stolen a march on the "sleepy south." By degrees the south is once more putting forth claims to public consideration and even here in Newbury we are able to produce a building which may fairly challenge comparison witn any other similar building of the kind. This is not merely a question of the beauty and usefulness of a particular building it is in a certain sense a step towards what may be called the higher political life of the country, I believe you will and in all time the life of States in a great degree identified with their public build- ings, and their history has been written upon the face of their monuments, whether of stone or of marble, quite as much as in the records and annals of their historians. Our modern life of course is in these things very unlike the life of the ancient world. It is hardly possible, in thinking on such a subject, not to reflect on that which has been the model of all time, and which, as it was the earliest, was also the greatest and stateliest of all. There was a city more than 2,000 years ago the free population of which was, after all, not much greater than the population of the en- larged Newbury, and that city not only was the greatest among the cities of its own day, but it has never been approached by a city that has since existed in the majesty of its buildings, with which the citizens of Athens felt themselves more or less identified. Strangers flocked to their great city; they bowed down, and, as it were, worshipped before it. The life of each citizen of Athens seemed to be bound up a's it were in the grandeur of his own time. What the Mayor has said to-day about the economy of these buildings recalled to my mind an anecdote mentioned by Plutarch. The fancy of a great sculptor proposed to the people of Athens that a particular work should be wrought in marble; but the people, indifferent to the expense, an- nounced it as their determination that it should be wrought in ivory instead. I do not know whether you will succeed in inducing your flexible ratepayers to indulge you with as free an order as that in money matters, but what we see to- day proves that whatever money is given will be well and handsomely expended. There is a class of towns which, perhaps, comes nearer to us in their public works than any- thing so remote as Athens; some of us passing through their streets have gazed with wonder and admiration on the towns of Northern Italy-matchless and almost un- approachable models of town architecture. It may be well remarked that among these towns there were many- Lucca, Pisa, Sienna, Perugia, and others-that played great parts in the history of their country, whose public buildings now excite our wonder and admiration, and whose populations certainly were not so great as the population of our enlarged town, and they teach us many lessons that we may lay to heart at the present moment- first, that the mere smallness of a community does not in any degree prevent its cultivation of the fine arts and, secondly, the cultivation developes in the minds of citizens, first of all familiarity with art itself, and. second- ly that which is much better, local patriotism and the love of municipal freedom. It was that which conferred the highest title upon the Italian cities. It is that which has distinguished English towns in all time; and in the adorn- ment of our provincial towns, in the creation of these public buildings, in their embellishment, in the raising of the standard of taste in art, I see distinctly the fostering of local patriotism and a distinct step towards higher political life. There were some disadvantages, no doubt, in the Italian towns. I am afraid, in spite of their smalhiess, they were exceedingly dirty; and when a bell rang at the order of the mayor, as the bells are ringing outside now, it was not a sign of peace and harmony, but a signal for armed men to descend into the street and de- cide a quarrel by the sword. There was great separation be- tween those towns and the country. The great landed proprietor lived away from them, and it was only at a oom- paratively late date in Italian history that the country came into the towns and a complete reconciliation was effected. I am bound to admit it was the towns that attracted the country. When I look round this table and see how com- pletely the country has been attracted by your hospitality I feel that Italian history is reproducing itself in one of its most pleasant and conciliatory forms. I rejoice to see this building added to this old town, with its long history and venerable traditions reaohing back to the time of the Romans. There are many great names living in history that live in the annals of Newbury, and there are many buildings that have escaped the wearand tear of time to which this building will be a worthy addition.
THE WRECK OF THE EURYDICE;
THE WRECK OF THE EURYDICE; PORTSMOUTH, May 5. It s six weeks to-day since the Eurydice sank, and, so far from the wreck being nearer the surface, it has become embedded still deeper in sand and clay. Three hundred tons was the strain estimated at the last attempt to raise the vessel, but, experience has been gained by the failure, and the authorities are providing a lifting power of 1,000 tons for the next attempt. Toggles are to be inserted in each porthole, and hawsers attached to them as well as passed under the ship. The lifting power thus obtained will be tremendous, and, unless some parts of the vessel are carried away by the enormous strain, the wreck is almost certain to be lifted. Larger steel hawsers are to be used, and in consequence of the increased amount of lift, additional lighters are being prepared. It is proposed to take out the fore and mizen masts before lifting the ship. On Tuesday the divers succeeded in getting a toggle into both the port and the starboard side of the ship, and the chain which was carried away on Saturday was recovered by the riggers under the com- mand of Staff-Captain Dathan. They also succeeded in recovering the cable which was slipped on Sunday night. A long southerly swell caused the lighter to jerk the cable very much, and it was feared that it might part. One of the London divers reported that he had seen a body in the fore chains. The whole of the divers went out again to the wreck at half-past four on Wednesday morning. The diver Smith suc- ceeded on Tuesday evening in shackling the end of the chain from the lighter to the wreck's chain just outside the hawse pipe. A. body of a seaman was picked up by the Camel tug, and the Isle of Wight Coroner not considering it necessary to hold a further inquest, it was taken to Haslar Hospital in a shell. At the dockyard every effort is being made to have everything in readiness for the high tides which are expected to set in by the 14th inst. Although the extent of the requirements of the re- lief cannot even now be fully known, it has been proved that 43 widows and 50 children have been rendered destitute, and appeals for help have come from 57 mothers, six sisters, and five other relatives.
THE ARMY AND MILITIA RESERVES.
THE ARMY AND MILITIA RESERVES. The Duke of Cambridge has drawn the attention of commanding officers of regular regiments of the army to the fact that many of the men from the militia re- serve have been non-commissioned officers in the militia, and are well reported on by their late com- manding officers. The Commander-in-Chief considers that the opportunity may now be taken, under the increased establishment of regiments, for promoting to substantive or lance rank such of these men as are found efficient. From some battalions complaints have been received of the ditficulty in obtaining good non-commissioned officers, and of the youth and in- experience of many of those appointed. The present occasion appears suitable for meeting this want, and there can be no doubt that any such recognition of the efficiency of the militia would have a good effect in that force generally. A War Office oircular says that it does not appear to be generally known that the allowance of 6d. a day to the wives, and 2d. a day for each child, granted to the families of men of the first-class army reserve can be drawn at once by the families concerned. Applica- tion should be made to the staff officers of pensioners in the case of army reserve men and to adjutants of militia in the case of militia reserve men.
HARVEST PROSPECTS.
HARVEST PROSPECTS. The Times of Wednesday publishes the following from Mr J. J. Mechi, Tiptree Hall. Essex Sir,—Harvest prospects continue for all crops most promising. An ample supply of sunshine preceding and following sufficient moisture has, especially on land drained naturally or artificially, so warmed the soil that its heat has both stimulated vegetable growth and protected it from night frosts, which last year, during early May, so ruined our fruits and damaged other crops. Clover, tares, and permanent pasture promise abundant hay crops, while peas, beans, barley, oats, and wheat are in fuil plant and growth. Mangel-wurzel come up quickly, and seed growers look for a favourable crop. Taken as a whole I never saw our crops look more promising and early. Many corn crops, especially where highly farmed and too thickly sawn, are likely to be prematurely laid, unless flagged in good time.
[No title]
The Russian Ambassador had a conference of nearly two hours' duration with the Marquis of Salisbury at the Foreign Office on Monday afternoon. Hospital Saturday, which was established in Sheffield last year, has not been so great a success this season, owing to the many recent ealls on public benevo- lence, as well as to the piolonged depression of trade. Up to Saturday evening the amount received was close on £ 850, which is nearly £ {00 short of the sum obtained by the same time last year.
- MR. GLADSTONE ON THE CRISIS.
MR. GLADSTONE ON THE CRISIS. On Wednesday Mr. Gladstone was waited upon at Hawarden by two deputations asking him to visit Manchester and Carnarvon respectively, to receive addresses approving of his conduct on the Eastern Question. He was unable to promise that he would visit either place, because it was impossible to know what might happen from day to day. The right hon. gentleman criticised the action of the Government on the Eastern Question, and said that after they received the vote of credit, they proceeded to manufacture difficulties to entering the Congress. He condemned the bringing of native troops from India as being a departure from the principle hitherto acted on, that not only Parliament should have a financial control over the army, but also vote the number of men who could be legally employed in it. Mr. Gladstone urged all to bear in mind their responsibility in the grave events that are happening, to assist in maintaining peace, and so avoid what would be a most wicked and causeless war. Something had been done in controlling what was evil, and he trusted that even yet their efforts in this direction would be crowned with success.
AMERICAN HUMOUR.
AMERICAN HUMOUR. A "half-starved gentleman" writes to a New York morning paper, complaining that women are crowding men out of all places of employment, and asking that the male sex generally "be allowed a chance." A Cincinnati bard tried the experiment of writing sonnets f or one paper and criticising them in another. It worked well until it was found out. A young Indianian proposed to six young ladies just for fun, and was considerably annoyed at being accepted by all of them. A farmer, residing near Utica, while being run away with by a pair of frightened horses, shouted I leave my wife 10,000 dollars; no time to make a will 1" He is still alive, but badly bruised. A Western Iowa editor recently announced that a certain patron of his was "thieving as usual." He declares he wrote "thriving." A thoughtful old lady, recently deceased, has left 10,000 dollars to a deaf and dumb asylum in Massachusetts, to be expended in telephones for the amusement of the inmates. The phonograph is to be utilized by adding that machine to other clocks in the house, so as to accompany its striking with appropriate remarks as to dinner, &c. The Detroit Free Press offers to lend Europe the American Congress if it can't get up one of its own. The Chicago Times announces that "pocket-books are worn shorter this season," to suit the very short condi- tion of the indebted. There are beautiful warm soda springs in Colorado, and people who go bathing in them at once exclaim, "Oh, but this is sodalicious." "During his ministry he made 600 hearts beat as 300," is the way a Maine paper neatly puts it concerning a local pastor. In an obituary on a strolling cow, a Kansas paper says: "There is not a farm wagon in the country that she has not stolen something out of not a gate in town she has not opened; and the stones that have been thrown at her would make five miles of turnpike." Josh Billings, in his latest philosophy and fact," says a drowning man will catch at a straw. If he catch it it will do him no good. A proposition to light the streets of an Indiana city was opposed by the common council, on the ground that thieves would be enabled to see when they were watched, and consequently it would be impossible to catch them. A Chicago newspaper claims to have on its staff a lady of extraordinary abilities. The editor says he "never knew of any one who could write with equal ease upon so singular a range of topics, with information so exact in detail." Whereupon an envious contemporary asks the editor why he never published any of her articles.
I IP&ttllmtMttS Itttdliijeiia.
IP&ttllmtMttS Itttdliijeiia. HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. SUCH IS THE LAw I-Bring an action, and you'll repent it bitterly. Defend one, and you'll repent it still more bitterly. -Punch, WHAT IS A "PASSFNGIER?"- Some provisional orders of the Board of Trade, which authorize the construction of tramways, and which are to be con- firmed by a Government Bill, HOW before the House of Commons, refer to, and adopt certain sections of the Tramways Act of 1870, relating to accounts to be given by licences ef the "number of passengers" conveyed. These provisional orders declare that in construing those sections for these purposes "the expression passengers' shall include animals, goods, minerals, and parcels." "DELAYS ABB DANGEROUS."—Young Housekeeper: "I'm afraid those soles I bought of you yesterday were not fresh. My husband said they were not nice at all!"—Brighton Fisherman: Well, marm, that be your fault—it bean't mine. I've offered 'em yer every day this week, and yoa might a' 'ad 'em o' Monday if you'd aloiked !Punch. GIRLS IN THE GARDEN.—If there is any one thing more beautiful than another in a garden of flowers, that thing is a beautiful girl, with a sunbonnet on her head so wide and capacious that you have to get right square before her, and pretty near her, to see the glowing cheeks that are sure to be there if she is at all accus- tomed to garden walks and works. Physically, there can be nothing better for daughters, and, indeed for many wives, than to take sole charge of a small flower garden. The benefits derived from early rising, stirring the soil, snuffing the pure morning air, are freshness and glow of cheek and brightest of eye, cheerfulness of temper, vigour of mind and purity of heart. Consequently she must be more cheerful and lovely as a daughter, more dignified and womanly as a sister, and more attractive and confiding as a wife. If you have not the dooryard ground, then get a dozen pots and plant the seeds of flowers to your taste. The care and attention required to rear and train the growing plants occupies the mind, to the ex- clusion, oftentimes of senseless novel reading—sense- less waste of time. You listless, pale-faced fragile thing of a girl, throw off your mock delicacy, put on your gloves, if you will, but work in the flower garden, till your cheeks vie in colour with the blush of the rose youMAtivate. -Flora's Dictionary. EXCHANGING A GRIP.-Marks of the Russian Bear's claws in every clause of the San Stefano Treaty.— Punch. NEW HARVESTING APPARATUS.—The Pacific Rural Press of April 13th contains an illustrated description of a new harvesting apparatus, the invention of Mr, G. F. Kelly, of Susanville, Lassen County. This is a contrivance by means of which a load of corn or hay can be lifted bodily from the waggon on to a stack or into a barn. A.netting placed in the waggon contains the load, and in this the corn or hay is rolled off the waggon on to a low level, or hoisted by means of a pole and pulleys, by horse power, as the stack gets higher. For unloading into a barn the load is first rolled on to a car, which is then drawn up an incline and unloaded through an opening in the upper part of one end of the barn. THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (according to Mr. Bright). -One-and- sixpence a day.-Funch. AORICULTURAL PROSPECTS. Monday's Magnet says :—The position of agricultural affairs has yet further improved. The weather has been all that could be desired, and the development of vegetation has made rapid progress. However, even with the great start obtained during the past week, the crops are not at all forward for the time of year. The young wheat plant generally presents a healthy and vigorous appearance. A bad field is quite the exception, and there is not much discolouration, In the meadow lands a plentiful supply of grass is noticed, suggestive of a good hay crop under a continuance of favourable circumstances. From the Continent as well as from America equally encouraging advices are to hand. The present season may be regarded as eminently satisfactory (thus far, and at least a good foundation has been secured for a beneficent harvest. WINNING THEXB HEARTS!—The Paris Correspon- dent of the Daily News writes:—"The Prince of Wales is winning the hearts of the Colonists at the Exhibition by his courteous thoughtfulness. As an instance of the manner in which he acts towards them let me relate the following incident. Last week he made an appointment with the Hon. Mr. Casey President of the Victoria Commission, to visit his section and taste the Australian wines. The weather turning out inclement and the glass promising no amelioration, the Prince the night before sent an apology. # Mr. Casey wrote to express his regret at the rain having prevented him again seeing his Royal Highness, as at the end of the week legislative business obliged him to return to Melbourne. He however, was glad that a fellow colonist would replace him whenever it might suit the Prince to inspect the Victoria section. On Saturday Mr. Casey was surprised by a visrt from the Prince, accompanied by the princess of Wales, the Prince and Princess of Denmark, and the Grand Duchess oi Mecklenburg, to all of whom Mr. Casey was presented. The Prince of Wales said, As you are going away so soon, we have got out of our en- gagements to spend a morning with you. ^hepar y adjourned to the long hut m the garden, and sat down at a round table. They tasted a vanety of Australian wines. The Prince expressed a preference for a white wine of a Rhenish character, called Riesling. At the end of a long visit the Prince said to Mr. Casey, 'Pray convey to the colony the interest I feel in its progress, and the pride I take in its greatness. Also h&ve tKeeoodness to say that whenever the Australians want me to do anything for them they must not hesi- tate to ask me.' A gentleman present said—'5 His Royal Highness is so affable and unaffected that he never makes one feel his high rank, and yet he so comports himself that you cannot forget he ia I Prince, WHY ONE GOES TO THE PARIS EXHIBITION—The following list of reasonable reasons will be found in- valuable to all persons who may need, from whatever cause to offer an excuse for crossing the Channel: Because one knows French. Because one doesn't know French, but thinks this an excellent oppor- tunity of acquiring the language. Because one has re- lations settled in Paris, and lodgings will therefore be saved. Because one didn't go to the last French Exhibition. Bec,tuse" one did go to the last French Exhibition, and wants to compare this one with its predecessor. Because the Prince of Wales has been exerting himself so energetically in the getting-up of the show that one feels it to be the duty of every loyal Englishman to evince active appreciation of the Prince's efforts. Because it will be something to say one has been. Because one's business is slack, and it's no use stopping Pthonae. Because one's business isn't slack, and one can therefore afford an outing. Because everybody is goi,g.-Funny Fol/cs. MARE CLAUSUM.—It is said that the Russians pro- pose to re-christen the Sea of Marmora "The Fleet Prison. "-Punch. DISASTERS AT SEA.—There were 22 British and foreign wrecks reported during the past week, making the total for the year 507, or a decrease of 260, as com- pared with the corresponding week of last year. The approximate value of property lost was £ 230,000. in- cluding British 2160,000. ECONOMICAL COOKERY.—A largely attended meet- ing has been held in the Athenseum, Tiverton, for the purpose of inaugurating a school of cookery. Therector, the Rev. G. Hadow, presided. He expressed a hope that some plan would shortly be promoted for giving systematic instruction in food and cookery in all girls' schools. Mr. Buckmaster, in the courfe of some re- marks, referred to the use of bones as well as oxtails in the making of soups. Two or three pennyworth of fresh bones, a young cabbage, a pint of skim milk, and a tea cup of oatmeal made a cheap and substan- tial soup, He showed how many vegetables might be served as separate dishes instead of swimming in made gravy with a slice of meat. He recommended the more general use of haricot beans, lentils, oatmeal, milk, and macaroni. He believed the daily necessity for meat was greatly overrated. An influential com- mittee has been formed, and the school promises to be successful. LOST DOGS.—Few facts will better illustrate the vast scale on which almost everything presents itself in the English metropolis, even so humble a subject as that of poor dogs that have temporarily lost their masters, than one mentioned in the Annual Report of the Chief Commissioner of Police. He informs us that nearly nineteen thousand (more than 18,800) stray dogs were taken charge of by the police in the metropolis during the year 1876 A little romance might be mixed up with the story of most of these homeless wanderers, if we could but know it: how Carlo or Boxer was distressed at losing his protector. The animals were either taken for a while to the Dogs' Home at Battersea, or were otherwise provided for.- Chambers's Journal. ROBBING CHILDREN IN THE STREETS.—The practice of robbing young children in the streets of the Metro- polises become so prevalent, so systematic in some districts that Sir E. Y. W. Henderson, the Chief Com- missioner of Police, has issued and widely circulated the following notice:- "To Parents and Others.—In consequence of the pre- valence of larcenies from children, the public are cautioned against entrusting young children in the street alone with parcels or money in their possession and the general public are requested to aid the police in their endeavours to detect offenders—in most cases women—the children themselves being either too young to give evidence against, or to identify the thieves.—E. Y. W. EENDEKSON." ANOTHER ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—A fresh Arctic ex- pedition in search of the records of Sir John Franklin, is being prepared in America, the leader being a young cavalry officer, Lieutenant Schwatka (says the Graphic). When serving against the Indians last year he read an account of the discovery of some Franklin relics, mentioning the probability of the existence of a cairn in the Arctic regions, and resolved to go in search of it. The owners of the vessel which brought home the relics are ready to fit out the necessary expedition, and the Lieutenant will accordingly start in June for e Repulse Bay, with a crew of some six white men and twenty Esquimaux well-armed, as the travellers expect to meet with a hostile tribe of the Nachillas, a savage race believed to inhabit the neighbourhood of the cairn. The vessel will winter in Repulse Bay, and the search party intend to leave in May, and to make a sledge journey to the cairn, supposed to be between 400 and 700 miles distant. Here they will spend the summer and winter, returing in the spring of 1880 to Repulse Bay, where, lest the first vessel should be crushed in the ice, a second ship is also to be sent. The expedition hopes to be back in America in the autumn of 1880. Two PROBLEMS NOT IN EUCLID.— Given good Servants, to find good Masters and Mistresses and "Given good Masters and Mistresses, to find good Servants. "-Punch. COST OF TEACHING DOGS TRICKS.—A writer in a. letter to a transatlantic contemporary referring to a reply given by the latter in its answers to correspon- dents, to the effect that it "does not know what it costs to teach dogs to play tricks," states that he can give us some idea. He has, he says, a setter, and, to amuse my children, trained him to shut the door Unfortunately, he discovered that jumping against the other side of a door would open it. He jumped against the yard gate, succeeded in getting out, and it cost me five dollars reward, besides advertising, two dollars; new collar, one dollar; and new gate to shut when jumped against, three dollars-total, eleven dollars, not to mention tribulations and anguish of suspense during the three days that the dog was gone.' A TOWN GARDEN.—Nothing is sweeter and lovelier than a clump of lilies of the valley, Maiglocken," as our German neighbours call them. They will flourish almost anywhere, even in the heart of London, where violets and primroses would disdain to put forth a single bud. I know a terrace, or rather a row of very mean, dingy-looking London houses, in front of which a few ragged, dirty evergreens drag out a miserable ex- istence, but between the end house and a aiffeary blank wall there is a triangular bit of ground, which is liter- ally carpeted with lilies of the valley whenever May comes round. They scent the squalid street, and not a single pair of leaves comes up without its attendant spray of blossom.—From "LitLle Folks" for May. MOBBING THE SHAH OF PERSIA.—The St. Peters- burg Journal states that as the Shah of Persia was proceeding to the Mosque in Teheran to obtain a bles- sing on his European journey a crowd of soldiers sur- rounded his carriage and presented petitions for leave of absence. As an immediate acquiescence was not vouchsafed they threw stones at the Shah, smashing the carriage and knocking an aide-de-camp off his horse. Tne guard subsequently arrived, when six mutineers were captured and sentenced to death. PHILOLOGICAL.- First English groom (new to Paris). And the French gent as he drives round the corner, he pulls up quick, and calls out Woa !—Second ditto (who has been in Paris some time). He couldn't have said Woa as there ain't no W' in French. First ditto. No 'W' in French? Then 'ow d'yer spell Wee ? —Punch. AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN.—The following are the average prices of British corn for the week ending May 4, as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise Wheat, 52s. Id.; barley, 42s. 6d. oats, 25s. 8d. per imperial qr. Corresponding week last year :-Wheat, 60s. 6d.; barley, 40s. 5d.; oats, 27s. 6d. TAXING DOGS ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUE.—We learn from Forest and Stream that a Dog Bill has been passed in Virginia allowing owners to value their dogs at 100 dollars, and to pay to the Commissioner the tax on that amount, which is one dollar for the first dog and 50 cents for all others. After the dog is 80 listed for taxation he becomes as much personal pro- perty as a cow or a horse. Of course no one is com- Eelled to pay the tax; it is purely voluntary. At will ave the effect of stopping the stealing dogs, and a stolen dog will be as rare as » 8 & hoirse. This tax will place some thousand dollars in the State Treasury.. Sow IT IS !~FIGS ARE proverbially dirty You may, therefore, always expect the dirtiest weather when the wind is "sow-est." A FISH IN A Fix.-The Evening Telegraph, Dundee, has the following -This morning the wet dock at Arbroath was run dry for the purpose of ascertaining the state of the bottom. Among the mud was found a fish, tightly jammed in a bottle, and quite lively. The bottle was of clear glass, about eight inches long, with a wide neck, and the fish must have got in when quite small. Several persons tried but failed to extri- cate it. lhe fish, which is known by the local name of poach, was taken possession of by one of the men who discovered it. POSSIBILITIES OF A CAMPAIGIT. -Three years of war would barely add eight or nine millions sterling annual charge to our debt, while the effect upon Russia would be such that her position as a first-class Power would be gone for ever, as it ought to go, and will now go very soon. But not only can we land Indian troops of the finest quality and in the finest condition as fresh on the shores of Turkey as the Russian troops are on leaving headquarters, but the effect likely to be produced upon the Mussulman population of -turkey is perfectly incommensurable. Those who have not studied the enormous latent power of the lurkish character do not realize the wonaerfulimpulse that the Ottoman population will receive on finding that England has called upon her Asiatic Empire to join the Turk in resisting the hateful aggressor. It is not too much to say that 100,000 Indian troops imply a corresponding half million ot Ottoman troops of the highest quality displayed Plevna, and it was a stroke of the highest military genius on the part of Lord BeaconBfield and Mr- Hardy to have resolved on such a policy.-Financial Opinion,