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THE BISHOP OF MANCHESTER AND…
THE BISHOP OF MANCHESTER AND CHURCH PROPERTY. The Bishop of Manchester has addressed a letter to the Rev. Dr. Gatty, vicar of Ecclesfleld, with reference to a statement made in that village by a liberationist lecturer. His Lordship writes "I cannot conceive what use a liberationist lec- turer, as such, could make of so obvious a truism as my statement that the Church of England is an abstract idea, and materially and legally is incapable of holding property. If anybody, I added by way of illustration, were to bequeath by will 210,000 to 'the Church of England,' it would, I believe, be a void bequest, for there is nobody, with a legal entity, of that name that could claim it. The property, I proceeded to argue, that is vaguely called The property, of the Church of England' is the property of various corporations, aggregate and sole, within the Church of England, and was either originally vested in those corporations or has been transferred to them. Of the latter class are such corporations as the Ecclesiastical Commissioners or the Governor's of Queen Anne's Bounty; of the former class are the whole body of incumbents. You will not find a single acre of land or a single pound of annual income standing in the name or paid to the ac- count of the Church ot England.' The first of my arguments was to show the origin of what is called 4 Church property,' that it is not strictly Church pro- perty at all, but property conveyed by will or gift to particular corporations by private benefactors for the spiritual benefit of particular localities; and I referred, in proof, to the preamble of the great Statutes of Provisors (25 Edward III., cap. 6), which, speaking of the 'foundation of the Church of England in the estate of prelacy within this realm,' adds, 'and certain possessions, as well in fees, lands, rents as in advowsone, vhich do extend to a great value, were assigned by the said founders (the King's grandfather, a'ld his progenitors, and the earls, barons, and other nobles of the realm and their ancestors) to the prelates and other people of the Holy Church to sustain the same charge, and especially the possessions which were assigned to archbishop3, bishops, abbots, priors, religious, and all other people of Holy Church.' I repeat I cannot see how a dry legal matter of fact statement of this kind, which was merely made to clear away vague notions which exist on the subject of Church property, can serve the purpose of a Libera- tionist lecturer. It is simply the statement of an in- disputable fact, adverse, no doubt, to the theory that the State, as such, endowed the Church, as such, but not (so far as I can see) otherwise bearing on the point at issue."
A MAN WRESTLING WITH A BEAR,
A MAN WRESTLING WITH A BEAR, Francis Borne, otherwise known as John Boulanger, a Frenchman, died on the 14th ult., at the New York Hospital, from terrible injuries received from a wrestling bout with a large grey bear in Troy (says the New York Times}. Borne was a well- known wrestler, and was formerly employed as a bar tender at aNew York drinking shop, where wrestling matches between men and bears were first introduced. Borne often wrestled with bears at this place, and usually came off victorious. After- wards he joined a wrestling troupe and travelled with them about the country. Some six weeks ago before his death he wrestled with a powerful gray bear, was very roughly hugged, and came to New York for medical treatment. On examination it was found that he had sustained severe internal injuries. Some days ago marks of the bear's huge paws made their appearance on both sides of his body. The bear is known as Lena, and is the largest and most powerful of the three trained bears imported for exhibition as wrestlers. Lena's owner says that she was a very highly-trained animal, and was as expert a wrestler as any of the men who had been pitted against her. She was leased to the troop at 50 dols. per week. She was not an ill-tempered brute, but was very powerful, weighing over 3001b. Borne had been warned of the terrible strength of the bear, but always appeared confident that he was a match for her.
A NEW TORPEDO BOAT AND EXPLOSIVE.
A NEW TORPEDO BOAT AND EXPLOSIVE. A new torpedo boat, designed to work under water, has just been brought under the notice of the Admi- ralty, and a model 4ft. Bin. long has been made. The boat was originally designed by the late Lord Milton, who was well known at Wentworth Woodhouse for his skill as a mechanic, assisted by Mr. Turner, of the same place, and recently improved by Mr. Councillor White, of Thorpe, near Rotheram. The new torpedo boat is intended to work under water by means of compressed air, and in every respect resembles a hage fish. In the fore-part or head there are two large eyes, from which radiate a strong electric light that will exhibit the keel of an enemy's vessel for a considerable distance, while a powerful ram is placed just above, capable of pene- trating an armour-clad. In what may be termed the nostril, there is a revolving-gun worked by hydraulic power and fired by electricity with a new explosive, one pound of which, in a recent test, displaced 137 tons of iron stone in situ. The tail plays an important part, for it is not only the propeller, but being per- forated on either side serves to expel either water or foul air. There are no masts, the deck being level, while inside the boat is divided into compartments, charged with compressed air. The boat is smnk to the depth required by taking water in at the bottom, and she then could remain under water, Mr. White states, from three to nine hours, while in attacking a vessel the speed would be about 18 knots an hour. The gun, which was the invention of Lord Milton, differs from all others. It is rotatory, but has four chambers, placed like the spokes of a wheel, so that while one shot is being fired, a second is being charged, a third spunged, and a fourth cleaned, so that the shots can be fired in rapid succession. Such is a brief outline of the latest invention con- nected with torpedoes, the inventors of which state that they can prove that it can accomplish all that has been said it was capable of doing.
PRESERVATION OF ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.
PRESERVATION OF ANIMAL SUBSTANCES. In London, on Monday evening. Dr. B. W. Richardson, F.R.S., delivered one of the course of Canter lectures before the Society of Arts on 44 Some researches on putrefaction and their results in relation to the preservation of animal sub- stances." The lecturer said it was necessary for the perfect preservation of animal substances to retain the colour, odour, reaction, water, consistency, and mi- croscopical appearance, and, if the substance be for food, the continuance of iiatural colour and odour after removal from preservative in comparison with a fresh specimen. It was important that animal substances should contain taste and flavour after cook- ing. To obtain this result, it was necessary to avoid odour of putrefaction, odour of other taints, odour of preservative, fixation of preservative, escape of water, gaseous infiltration, fatty change in muscular sub- stance, gelatinous changes, and fermentation and alkaline reaction. The question was often asked, how it was that the living substances were preserved while the dead animal substances passed into a state of putrefaction. It was incorrect to say that the living animal substances did not undergo change but they did do so in a way that was not presentable to the human vision. The cause of the speedy putrefaction of dead substances was owing to the jelly substances of the body decaying. The water in the dead body soon became in a state of putrefaction, and at once decay rapidly set in. The jelly sub- stances were chiefly found in the nervous and mus- cular membranes, ana portions of the liver which were loosely held together. I' the organs were pressed immediately after death and the water removed, they would be more easily preserved. With respect to gases and vapours, they might be used at the present t'me for preserving food, but the action of heat was so powerful in them that in warm cli. mates the bottles often burst. He believed that the day was not far distant when all preserved foods would be prepared by gases but there were still dis- coveries to be w!de by which many of the most valu. able gases would be rendered not dangerous to life as at present. One of the most valuable gases that we had was the coal gas, which played an important part as a preservative. Still it was not a pure antiseptic, though he hoped yet to be able to make it so.
LATEST FROM PARIS.
[From Punch LATEST FROM PARIS. [Letter from PETER GOOBBOT, ESQ., Paris, to Mrs. GOODBOY, South Kensington. j The Exposition, Paris, May 4, 1878. MY OWN DEARKST LITTLE WOMAN,—I am sure, were you here, you would agree with me that I was quite right when I decided that I would come alone T° .I*118 m*aerabie place, just to look round, and see if X thought you would like it. At the time, you may remember, you imagined I was selfish—in fact, you said as much. Ah if you could only look into my neart. However, I ivili speak no more of the past, but confine myself to t.he present—which, I need not may, is very dreary without you. I promised to report upon Paris. I do. Paris, in a word, is unbearable. The place is crowded with foreigners, and all the best people ( I know how you respect the aristocracy) are absent. It is not con- sidered the thin 4 to stay in the place during the Exhibition. Surely this is an excellent reason (were there no other) for your staying %way. I am sure Mr*. Piantagenef Brown would not think of coming, and I should not like my dear wife to be less par- ticular than Mrs. Phmagenet Brown. The prices are enormous. I date this latter from the Exhibition itself, as I have not yet decided upon a hotel. I am staying for the moment at a very uncom- fortable hotel garni, near the Grand Opera, but spend a great deal of my time in hunting for something cheaper. You had better address your letters for the present, therefore, Poste Restante. Living, too, is very dear. They have raised the prices at all the Maisons Duval five sous Think of that! In con- sequence, I am forced to look for a dinner elsewhere. As there are none but foreigners in Paris, there are absolutely no fashions. I have tried to find the addresses of the dressmaker and bonnetmaker you gave me, but have not yet succeeded in discovering them. Perhaps they may have gone away in consequence of the Exhibition. As, if I remember aright, you said one of them lived in the Rue de la Paix, I have no doubt that this is the case, I have not yet been to the Bon Marchd. but a friend tells me that they are only selling English goods of two seasons ago at that noted magazin. You wanted me to pick up some frocks for the children there-perhaps I might get you a. bonnet instead, if you thought it worth while. Shall I go beyond twelve francs fifty? There is nothing worth seeing at the theatres, and the Bois is quite deserted. In fact, the place is in- tolerably triste. You should pity me-particularly in my enforced condition of bachelor loneliness and dis- wmf ort. I rather fancy that I said I should be back by Mon- day but, as I want to study some curious agricultural inventions in the Exhibition, I think I shall stay another week just to look at them. It will be a very great sacrifice. It would be so different if you were with me, or even if the place were only a little more amusing. As it is, I cannot help congratulating my- self, as a kind and loving husband, that I am alone, to bear the infliction. Kiss the children for me, and believe me, Your own darling old hubbie. PETER. Telegram from PETER GOODBOY, Paris, to CHARLES SINGLETON, Megatherium Club, London. En garcon for another week. Come over. Splendid fun. Have taken a couple of fauteuils at all the best theatres for the next six days. Dine regularly at Vefour's. Have taken room for you next mine at the Grand. Expect you to-morrow.
THE COST OF THE WAR.
THE COST OF THE WAR. It is all very well for people who are trying to bolster up Russian prospects to talk of Attila or Alaric having no Three per cents., and waging successful wars without paying their soldiers anything at all; but one moment's reflection must show that the two cases are very different. The leader of the Huns or the Goths wanted no Chancellor of the Exchequer to squeeze money out of merchants and traders to pay his legions. He only pointed to the cities of the old world and showed his warriors their recompense there. In this simple and natural manner they found their own pay and their own rations; and the hero of the Nibelungen Lied made this very Thrace and Mace- donia the Russians now occupy pay, and liberally, too, for the privilege of being conquered. The sack and plunder of seventy cities, says the old chronicler, that were erased and extirpated, paid Attila's soldiers well for their trouble; but the modern habit of war, though 9 sometimes strained, looks not favourably on such in- demnities taken on the spur of the moment, and the Czar's troops cannot be answered so easily as those of his great forerunner in Thrace if their empty stomachs rebel or their empty pockets cry to be filled. So the report, if true, that it has been found necessary by the controllers of finance at St. Petersburg to diminish not only the quantity of the Russian soldier's pay, but also to alter to his disadvantage the mode of its pay- ment, is a very serious one indeed. Hitherto he has received his regular pay in time of peace with this dif- ference—that instead of being paid all in coin it has been paid half in paper. But now it appears it i3 thought necessary at St. Petersburg to put the screw even on the soldier, who has already had so much to suffer and endure. He is to receive only two-thirds of his peace pay henceforward, and that to be paid entirely in paper—a sign that the sinews of war are failing fast. It is taken for granted, of course, that the Russian soldier will submit, and cheerfully too, to any decree, however hard, of his little father," but such action on the part of the executive shows that the cost of the war is beginning to tell. It would be strange indeed if it were not. The cost of the armies in Roumania, Bulgaria, and Roumelia alone amounts, according to the St. Petersburg Gazette, to £ 280,000 sterling per day, and the expenses in Asia must be in like propoortion. The Russo-Turkish war itself, which lasted just 322 days. cost 800,000,000 roubles, thereby increasing the National Debt by nearly one-half.-Globe.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF INDIAN TROOPS…
THE EMPLOYMENT OF INDIAN TROOPS IN EUROPE. The Times (in a leader on Monday) discussing the policy of the employment of Indian soldiers for the special kind of service to which the troops on their way to Malta are destined, and the abstract right of so employing them, observes that the view we take on the first of these points must be determined by our general view as to the nature of our Indian Empire. If the feeling of India is so entirely hostile to us that we are in real danger from any development of the resources of India, or if the military spirit of India can be aroused only to be turned ultimately against ourselves, the doubt suggests itself whether we have any right to hold the country at all. In most matters, however, relating to India we have been proceeding on the very course which is now pronounced unsafe. We have done all we could to improve the material position of India. We have been educating the natives of India,, imper- fectly, indeed, but to the best of our power. We have aimed at carrying on the administration of India with the largest possible amount of native help. If we are to follow a policy of repression and to keep India down to the point which may best suit our own con- venience, we must confess to a good many past mis- takes and must retrace our steps in civil as well as in military matters. As for the doubt whether Asiatic soldiers can rightly be employed against Europeans, we can attach no great weight te it. If the soldiers we have just summoned to Malta are called upon to fight at all, it will be against a Power which is not entirely European. Europeans and Asiatics will, in fact, be engaged against Europeans and Asiatics on the other side, and, as Mr. Bourke very truly observed at King's Lynn last week, they will be as well disciplined and as humane as any they will be called upon to meet. As to the constitutional question, we may be quite certain that if Parliament; expresses its dis- approval of what the Government has done, the whole business will be at an end, and the troops will be sent back again. The Times (in a leader on Tuesday) is not surprised at the discussion which was raised yesterday with re- ference to the despatch of Indian troops to the Medi. terranean. It thinis, indeed, with due deference to Sir Robert Peel, that it was proper for many reasons. The circumstances of the case were sufficiently novel to warrant it. But though the inquiry was justifiable, the defence was sufficient. As for the cry that the native army of India may be employed some day to crush English liberty, The Times cannot profess to be alarmed by it. It is an extreme instance of suscep- tibility on the part of those by whom it has been raised. On the other hand, one cannot but feel that it would have beea better and more respectful to Parliament if the Government had seen fit to give the information the withholding of which was made matter of com- plaint yesterday. Technically, no doubt, the Govern- ment may have been within its right, but it is not well that the occasion should be needlessly created for re- sorting to a defence of this kind. Nothing would have been lost by an early and frank statement, and a cause of irritation would have been avoided which the Government at the present crisis is not doing wisely to excite. It was a mistake on the part of the Go- vernment to keep Parliament in the dark. The penalty is to Ise found in the course of the debate of yesterday, and it will be found again when the opportunity for discussion is given which the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer promises.
OUR NAVAL FORCES IN THE INDIA…
OUR NAVAL FORCES IN THE INDIA AND CHINA SEAS. The Bomiay Gazette says:—Some authentic details regarding the strength of her Majesty's vessels of war stationed in Indian waters will just now be interest, ing to most readers. We find that Admiral has at his disposal eleven vessels carrying 96 guns, while on the China station England has twenty-two war vessels carrying 121 gun3, besides the Penelope, an ironclad carrying eleven guns, just ordered thither. There is, of course, some uncertainty about the available Russian naval force in these waters, but it cannot be estimated as exceeding thirteen fighting vessels, carrying 94 guns. The British Pacific squadron consists of eight vessels, carrying 78 guns, also to be reinforced by the ironclad Triumph, carrying- 14 guns. The Russian squadron which left the Baltic for America last year consisted of seven vessels. Even if these reinforcements could join the Russian ships in Eastern waters, it appears that altogether the British naval forces in the India and China seas are quite strong enough to meet any- thing that an enemy can bring against them. For better precaution, however, it would be well to send out an ironclad to strengthen the East Indian squadron.
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A inquest has been held at North Moor, near Bridge- water, on the body of James Foster, son of a farmer, who, in endeavouring to catch his father's horse, which had strayed upon the Great Western Railway, was knocked down and run over by a down train, his body being shockingly mutilated. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."
ANTI-WAR AND ARBITRATION .CONFERENCE.
ANTI-WAR AND ARBITRATION CONFERENCE. In London, on Saturday, at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon-street, an Anti-War and Arbitration Conference was held, and was very numerously at- tended. Mr. Joseph Arch, who presided, said that the artisan classes throughout the country and the Nonconformists had come forward and given in their protests against unnecessary war, and the agricultural labourers throughout the length and breadth of the land had now, through their delegates, taken the opportunity of expressing their views upon the stern question of the hour. It could not be said that the men attending that meeting were paid agitators," for their hands were the day before at the plough or spade tilling the soil, and they would return to that work on the Monday; and it could not be said that they were lukewarm in the cause of peace, seeing that many had walked from three o'clock in the morning to reach a railway station, and some had journeyed all night. The following resolutions were proposed and passed:— That this Conference, representing a class of men whom the Government consider unfit to vote—although good enough to fight-enters its solemn protest against the policy of the Government in delaying the settle- ment of the Eastern difficulty as paralyzing to industry, aggravating the terrible distress from which large masses of working men are now suffering, and fraught with danger to the peace of Europe." That we altogether repudiate the statements re- peatedly made by the Government and its organs, that their war preparations are made in the interests of peace, being fully convinced that increased expendi- ture, calling out of the Reserves, and bringing troops from India, instead of being peace-preserving, are war-provoking measures eminently calculated to irritate and provoke a collision which the Government profess themselves anxious to avoid. And that, while we have no love for the form of Government which exists in Russia, and emphatically condemn tyranny and cruelty, whether practised by the Russian, British, or any other Government, we utterly despise the barbarism of Turkey, which centuries of experience proves is incapable of improvement." That should the Government persist in its refusal to adjust its differences with Russia, either by means of a Congress or by arbitration as provided in the Treaty of Paris, and war be the result, the members of this Conference solemnly pledge themselves to use all the influence they possess to induce their fellows in the agricultural districts to strike against war by not enlisting, and to leave those who have made the quarrel to fight it out themselves."
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An anti-war conference was also held on Saturday at Leeds, convened by the local branch of the Work- men's Peace Association. Three hundred delegates, representing the chief towns in the north and north- west of the kingdom, were present. A letter was read from Mr. John Bright, excusing himself for not attend- ing, but sympathising with the objects of the meeting. —.
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A conference of working men was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, Edinburgh, on Saturday evening, with reference to the policy of the Government. There was a large attendance, and resolutions were adopted to the effect that the Conference expressed its strong conviction that the prolonged depression of trade is largely due to the uncertainty caused by the present. policy of the Government, emphatically protested against its military preparations and extravagant ex- penditure as costly, irritating, and provocative of war, and also expressed its deep sense of the debt of grati- tude which the country owed to Lords Derby and Carnarvon for their strenuous and persevering efforts in the 'cause of peace, and recorded its thanks to Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, and other members of Parlia- ment for the course that they had taken in regard to the Eastern Question.
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On Saturday night a meeting of representative working men was held in Glasgow, when resolutions were passed expressing their strong conviction that the long depression of trade was due to the uncertainty caused by the policy of the Government, and that its military preparations and extravagant expenditure was costly, irritating, and calculated to create war that there was no difference between the British and Russian Governments requiring war, that the differ- ences should be referred to arbitration, and that the resolutions should be forwarded to Earl Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury, and to the leaders of the Liberal party.
---THE FAMILIES OF THE RESERVE…
THE FAMILIES OF THE RESERVE MEN. On the above subject The Times publishes the following letter Sir,—Applications for charitable assistance have been made by the wives of privates in the Army Reserve who have recently been called out. It may, therefore, be of some interest to your readers to know the exact circumstances in which, in fulfilment of their contract with the Government, these men now leave their families. Irrespective of what he may earn by the employ- ment he takes up after he has joined the Reserves, each private in the Reserve forces receives 4d. a day Reserve and 2d. a day deferred pay. This deferred pay is handed to him in a lump sum at the end of the financial y ear-i. e., on the 31st of March —or when he is called out. If, therefore, a private joined the colours on the 19th of April last, he might be able to leave his wife his deferred pay for the past year, k3 10d., and he would have also at his disposal 9s. 6d., the Reserve and deferred pay for 19 days. From the 19th of April his wife would receive from the Government 6d. a day for herself and 2d. a day for each of her children. Her husband from,that day would receive Is. a day and a free ration. Out of this shilling he would have to pay 5d. a day for "messing -i.e., for vegetables, salt, &c., and washing. On joining he would have a free kit, and for the first few months would not have to make any deduc- tions for other expenses. On the remaining 7d., the balance of his day's pay, the only charges would pro- bably be 3d. or 4d. for beer and tobacco. He would thus have 3d. or 4d. a day to send to his wife. This, however, is the lowest he can earn. He would, in all probability, have previously served five years with the colours, and in that case it would be his own fault if he did not possess two good-conduct badges and 2d. a day more. In these circumstances his wife might be in receipt of about Is. a day, with 2d. extra for each of her children.—I am. Sir, your obedient servant, C. S. LOCH, Secretary. Society for Organizing Charitable Relief and Repressing Mendicity, May 3.
THE EARTHQUAKE AT CONSTANTINOPLE.
THE EARTHQUAKE AT CONSTANTI- NOPLE. An officer of one of the British ironclads serving In the Sea of Marmora writes as follows with reference to the earthquake that took place there on the evening of Good Friday:— I was seated in my cabin, when suddenly, without a moment's notice, there was a strange sound and the ship began to shake, as if she were steaming at a very high rate or running on to a bank. At once there was a rush from all parts of the ship to the upper deck, and some of the men were completely carried off their legs whilst running up the ladders. The vibra- tion lasted some seconds, and there was a sound as of water bubbling up under the ship's bottom, but the surface of the sea was calm all around. We took soundings as quickly as possible, but the lead showed that no alteration whatever had taken place in our anchorage ground. In Ismid itself seme houses were thrown down, and also the top of a minaret. At one of the villages near Ismid much damage was done, and it is stated that twenty- five lives were lost. The full extent of the damage is not yet ascertained. The telegraph communication is all interrupted. The shock travelled as far as Constantinople. It is said that Ismid is a great place for earthquakes. You can see traces of them round the town, and report says that a large part of the town is submerged, and that there are remains of bouses not far from where the fleet was anchored. On inquiry it was found that the crews of the other ships of the fleet had come to the conclusion that the Russians had got a torpedo under them. A second shock was felt at 10.15 the same evening, and a third at midnight, but they were not severe." Remarking upon the above earthquake, the Pall MaU Gazette says It seems to have been one of the most severe that have visited that city for some years past. # The shocks were, it is stated, almost con- tinuous, being first vertical and afterwards oscillating from west to east, and lasting altogether about ten seconds or a quarter of a minute. The sounds were as of shaking from very heavy footsteps in adjacent rooms." There was the usual rattling of glasses, and hanging lamps rocked to and fro violently. Consider- able alarm was created, which is not surprising; for earthquakes are at all times formidable visitors, and at the present moment any terrestrial or celestial disturbance has no doubt a peculiarly ominous significance in the eyes of the Turks. No destruction, however, is reported in the capital itselfj although much damage is said to have been caused by the earthquake at Sabandja and Ismid and all along the telegraph line to Broussa. Constanti- nople itaelf has had some disagreeable experience in former days of earthquakes. In the year 557 many of its buildings were destroyed and thousands of persons perished. On the 14th September, 1509, a like visita- tion again brought death to thousands in the city. In 1800 the Royal palace and many buildings were de- stroyed and two years later, on the 26th of October, 1802, Constantinople was severely shaken by an earth- quake that was said to have come from Cronstadt."
THE EMPLOYMENT OF THORNYCROFT…
THE EMPLOYMENT OF THORNYCROFT STEAM-LAUNCHES. In a paper lately published by a French naval officer on the part that Thornycroft steam-launches may be expected to play in future in the attack and defence of ports, the writer remarks that to such boats will naturally be entrusted the task of watching all approaches to the harbour or roadstead to be defended, and of attacking and destroying similar hostile craft which may be endeavouring to explore and reconnoitre the different channels or which may be engaged in searching for submarine mines or other obstructions. Uiider favourable conditions of weather and sea, also, such fast steaming launches may be able, if skilfully and daringly handled, to carry destruction among the vessels composing a blockading squadron, either by attacking the ships with spar torpedoes or by launching against them Whitehead "torpedoes at short ranges. The mere possibility that the defender may attempt such an enterprise will in any case oblige the blockading fleet to keep at some distance away from the port whenever the conditions are favourable for making such an attack, or even compel the different ships to keep continually moving about with all fires alight, ready to immediately manoeuvre at full speed to avoid their small but quick and handy possible assailants. Again, in the case of the defensive system of submarine mines being destroyed or rendered useless from any cause, a flotilla of Thornycroft boats kept in reserve, hidden behind a point of land or some other cover, would prove a very formidable and almost irresistible enemy; especially as in forcing a passage a squadron would only be able to steam at a moderate speed, and much of the atten- tion of the officers commanding would be diverted to- warda-the batteries and other defences with which they would have to contend. On the other hand, an at. tacking or blockading fleet would find ample employ- ment for a large number of Thornycroft boats in per- forming guard duty, in reconnoitring passages and approaches, in searching for and destroying the enemy's submarine defences in attacking on dark nights vessels lying in the enemy's harbours, and in endeavouring to set his ships on fire by means of barrels of petroleum.-Pall Afaffl Gazette.
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ELEMENTARY…
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ELE- MENTARY SCHOOLS. The importance of religious education is elementary schools formed the subject of a speech by Earl Fortescue at Barnstaple on Saturday, and on Monday the Ven. Archdeacon Sanders, in his visitation charge to the clergy of the archdeaconry of Exeter, said he believed the voice of the country generally had decided in favour of religious education in ele- mentary schools, and that their opponents had, at least for the present, acquiesced in the system. But there were difficulties in the way. He had strong reason to believe—in the words of one of the diocesan inspectors—that a crisis was at hand in manyparishes and he would earnestly call on those who were convinced, as he was, that the voluntary school was the best for supplying definite religious instruction not to transfer their schools until every measure to avert such a step had been tried and had failed. It was with especial reference to this matter that the Diocesan Conference was called into existence. He was sorry to say that the interest at first excited in the minds of Churchmen had flagged-as was, indeed, anticipated—and they had now fairly before them the question whether or not they would permit the means of promoting and maintaining religious instruction in schools to be crippled by lack of pecuniary support. There were now no funds in hand to pay the current quarterly salaries of the inspectors. The amount required for all purposes was £1,200 a year, and he advocated the formation in every deanery of a board of educa- tion, which should have special charge of this subject. The Archdeacon appealed to the clergy to look well after the religious instruction of pupil teachers in schools in which they are interested.
- TELEGRAPH STAMPS.
TELEGRAPH STAMPS. J. A. C." writes to The Times:- Sir,—The Post Office is causing a good deal of public inconvenience by indulging in such erratic changes as have recently been adopted. The creation of special telegraph stamps and for- bidding the use for that purpose of postage stamps is particularly inconvenient, and has thrown out of circulation the well-appreciated "shilling stamp" which was available for either telegraph or post, or in remitting small sums. We now have to provide three kinds of telegraph stamps, in addition to postage." The reduction of the registration fee and keeping the commission upon money-orders at its present absurdly high rate are grave errors of judgment. Re- mittances of coin are now reaching me in registered letters, as the cheaper mode of conveyance. This may grow to dangerous dimensions, and was scarcely fore- seen, one would suppose. A very large experience teaches me that postage stamps ought to be allowed for telegrams, and that a universal fee of 2d. for each money-order, irrespective of amount, would make that branch a success.
DEAN STANLEY ON FREEDOM OFj…
DEAN STANLEY ON FREEDOM OF WORSHIP. The Very Rev. the Dean of Westminster (Dr. A. P. Stanley) preached in the old church, Alderley Edge, on Sunday forenoon, to a crowded congregation. Speaking on parages in the 26th chapter of Genesis, he remarked that we dwelt around our country of England, as people of old established themselves round a well of springing water in the desert. In the afternoon the Dean preached at the Macclesfield Sunday School in aid of the fund for restoring the in- terior of that building. In the course of his sermon he said there was a, time when the relations of Church and State insisted on absolute uniformity in the country, and would not endure that any other communion or form of worship should exist but one. That was the time when John Bunyan was imprisoned in Bedford Gaol, and when the Pilgrim Fathers were compelled to fly to the wilder- nesses of America. But a time came when a better spirit prevailed, when the widest liberty was given to all communions to worship without let or hindrance from Church or State. There was not now a single Churchman who would repent of any of the long series of wise and generous acts by which the Legis- lature had secured that liberty, or was not grieved and ashamed to think that even for a moment the Church should have been possessed of that narrow spirit which caused such bitterness and misery in former days. And might we hope that that desire of exclusive possession of the land might not, perchance' pass over to our Nonconformist brethren in their turn ? Sometimes it looked as if the uniformity on which Churchmen of the seventeenth century insisted were about to be imposed again by the Noncomformists, and that, as Churchmen once refused to acknowledge the lawfulness of Nonconformity and the liberty of in. dividual conscience, so some of the more ardent of our Nonconformist brethren were now bent on denying the lawfulness of national churches and the liberty of national worship. Let us trust that each would see that in this wide land of England there was more than room for the labours both of Churchmen and Noncon- formists, each supplying what the other lacked, and if either were destroyed the whole country would be the sufferer. If the Church on earth was to be a copy of the Church in heaven, it was not by closing its gates against all comers, but by keeping them wide open, so that they should not be shut day or night. Was not the hour coming—had it not already come-when we should think a little more of comprehension, of largeness of space, and largeness of the heart ? Could we not look at our several ordinances and institutions, not in their narrow, but in their wider aspect ? Was it not our duty and privilege to remove if possible all obstacles that kept our Nonconformist brethren away, and draw them nearer to us? We should surely, in these latter days, think more worthily of those sacred ordinances and of the spirit of their divine founder. The dean concluded with the benediction.
A PARIS SUNDAY, ,,
A PARIS SUNDAY, The Correspondent of The Times writes :—" To-day the weather was delightful. The Bois de Boulogne was literally crowded with promenaders and carriages while all the avenues leading to the Trocad^ro and Champ de Mars were tfhronged. It is estimated that 100,000 persons have visited the Exhibition. In the avenue alongside the facade of the foreign sections it was scarcely possible to move, and all the chairs and tables in the restaurants of the Exhibition had been taken by storm. This is the first day on which the real character of the Exhibition was to be seen-bright, crowded, gay, and glistening in the sun. The immense throng moving through its passages in no way resembled that of pre. ceding days. The morning trains had brought a large number of persons from the Provinces, and these mingling with the Paris trading and industrial classes formed an excellent specimen of what may be called the French population. That naive ignorance of geography characteristic of a French crowd was displayed in all its unconscious fulness. I heard a beautiful lady in a magnificent dress, covered with jewels and lace, ask a gentleman of lofty bearing who accompanied her if to get to Norway it was necessary to travel by sea. But besides this proverbial naivete there is in the observations of a Sunday Parisian crowd a gaiety and enthusiasm, a flow of fun, which produces on you something like the effect of champagne. For an English visitor there is nothing more surprising than the spectacle of one of these Paris Sundays. This people, always so ready to be joyous, multiplies this special faculty on Sun- days, and thinks it is observing this day of rest well by being seven times more gay and thoughtless than usual." [It is announced from Paris that 80,000 persons visited the Exhibition on Sunday.]
SOUTH SEA RISKS.
SOUTH SEA RISKS. The Melbourne Argus states that the New Guinea mis- sionary lugger Mayri was attacked by natives off Stacey Island on the 29th of December. Captain Dudfleld gives the following account:— While anchored at Stacey Island, where the Rev. J. Chalmers and wife and four native teachers are stationed, on the afternoon of Saturday, the 29th of December, sent three of my black crew to cut wood, myself and another native only remaining on board. One Stacey Island native came off to barter. I told the cook to give him the wood, and he lay down in the cabin. After a few minutes a spear was thrown in the cabin and struck me on the left side. Another went into my right thigh. On turning round for my gun I received another spear in the left shoulder and another through the hand. I fired several shots and tried to get on deck. There I found six or eight natives, and received a wound in the foot, severing all the tendons of the toes. We wounded several and killed one. They then left, and I saw 200 or 300 natives on the shore. Mr. Chalmers came off, and in- formed me that the natives were launching war canoes, and insisted upon my leaving. I pressed him to come with his wife and the teachers, but he refused to desert his post. Mr. Goldie's party returned upon hearing this, and grave fears are entertained for the safety of Mr. Chalmers and party." Captain Dudfield is maimed for life.
THE BISHOP DESIGNATE OF LICHFIELD.
THE BISHOP DESIGNATE OF LICHFIELD. Crowds were attracted to the parish church of Kensington on Sunday, in the hope of hearing the Bishop Designate of Lichfield preach, many having been disappointed the pre- vious Sunday, as he received the commands of her Majesty to be at Windsor. He was not present on Sunday, but copies of a letter addressed to the parishioners were placed in the pews. In that letter he writes :— "My dear Friends,—I know that most of you must already be aware of our impending separation, yet I feel that I cannot be altogether silent towards you upon a matter of which my heart is so full, and for which it is so sad. With the utmost sincerity I may say that had I consulted my own personal hap- piness I should certainly have declined the posi tion to which I have been called; but so far as I could judge, and others confirmed my judgment, it did not seem to be the will of God that I should shrink from the arduous and difficult, I may almost say perilous, work which now lies before me. I feel that the happiest part of my life is over; for there is no such happy life as that of a parish priest among a people whom he loves, and who have honoured him with their confidence and affection. Such a life has been mine among you, but I must leave behind me now all that delightful intercourse and communion between pastor and people, which I have so deeply and thankfully enjoyed. My new life, if God should permit me to enter upon it, will have its own interests and it may be its own joys but they will be of a very different kind, and nothing can ever exceed the happiness which I have had among you. Many a time during the past week, in anxious days and wakeful nights, I have felt tempted still to withdraw from the heavy burden and solemn responsibilities which are being laid upon me, and to remain with you, or perhaps to seek in some humbler sphere the quiet and retirement for which I have so often longed amidst the absorbing oc- cupation of a busy life. But if 'this may not be, I must comfort my heart with the thought of the earnest prayers which I know you will offer up for me con- tinually, that I may receive from on high that grace which is sufficient for me, and that strength which is made perfect in weakness. And one of my dearest joys and refreshments, in my new life, will assuredly be the constant remembrance in my prayers of my dear people in Kensington, who can never cease to be dear to me so long as life shall last. I need not say how earnestly I join my prayers with yours that God would send you, in my place, one far more worthy than I have been of your affection and confidence, and who will not only continue to you, but increase, all the blessings and privileges of Church life which we have been permitted to enjoy together. And in whatever way the answer may come, we shall know and believe that our dear Lord will make it work for good. I hope I may have still not a few opportunities of meeting you and speaking to you, but for this Sunday I can. not be with you, and it is some relief to my sorrowful heart to write what I may not say. Pray for me, my dear friends, that with strong faith, and deep humility I may be prepared to do the wilPbf God in my new calling, and think of me still as your affectionate pastor, and always your faithful friend, W. D. MACLAGAN, The Vicarage, Kensington, 5th May, 1878."
BETWEEN THE LOT.
BETWEEN THE LOT. (By a Perplexed, would-be Patriot, after reading the conflict- ing extra-Parliamentary utterances during the Easter Rece8.) Recrimination is vexation, Self-praise is just as bad Cross and John B. quite puzzle me, And Jingo drives me mad I-Punch.
THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. The Zoological Society, Regent's Parlr, London, have just made an important addition to their aviaries in the shape of two birds of paradise, which were sent from Paris. On his return from a collecting tour in the Eastern Archipelago last winter, Mr. Leon Laglaize brought with him from Ternante four fine living speci- mens of these splendid birds, which had been obtained from their native wilds in New Guinea some time pre- viously. During the winter these birds have been kept in a closed aviary in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, the atmosphere of the French capital at that season having been naturally supposed to be more suitable to these delicate creatures than that of London. An arrange- ment, however, was made by the Zoological Society with their owner that, should he succeed in wintering them in Paris, two of them should be transferred to the Regent'a-park so soon as the weather should permit. The paradise birds thus acquired are both cocks in full plumage, and it is, therefore, necessary to keep them in separate compartments. They have been placed in the western aviary immediately to the right of^the principal entrance. They belong to the species called by naturalists the lesser bird of paradise (Paradisea papuana). The only living birds of paradise which have previously been brought to this country were two of the same species which were purchased for the Society at Singapore by the celebrated naturalist Mr. A. R. Wallace, and brought home by him when he returned from his Eastern travels in 1862.
THE FORCES OF RUSSIA.
THE FORCES OF RUSSIA. The Cologne Gazette estimates the army which Russia- can place in the field at present at 600,000 men. Ihis strength may be maintained, but cannot be Increased. The Russian forces now in European Turkey and Roumania. amount to twelve and a half army corps- 312,000 men. About 100,009 men must be employed for the occupation of Asiatic Turkey, so that only seven and a half army corps-187,500 men-remain still disposable. In case of war with England the Russian troops could not be withdrawn from Turkey- and Roumania. The disposable seven and a half army corps would then be employed for occupying the coasts of the Black Sea and the Baltic. Poland and St. Petersburg and Moscow, where recent events have shown the presence of very dangerous elements, wonld also require strong garri- sons. Russia could therefore, in case of war with Eng- land, maintain her present position, but would have no f orces-not to speak of an Indian campaign—for taking precautionary measures against Austria, at whose mercy she would be, if Austria resolved on war- like measures.-Pall Mcal Gazette.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A TIGHT-ROPE…
SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A TIGHT-ROPE WALKER. On Monday night, in the circus which has been recently established in the Exhibition Palace, Dutuin' a tight rope walker, named Gilfort, fell a height or over forty feet and was seriously hurt. A large audience was assembled to witness the perilous journey of Gilfort from one end of the hali^to tne other on a tight-rope, at a height of certalllly more than forty feet. He twice went from end to end, once, trammelled with heavy loudlv rWred His next and most dangerous per- £ oSiraw2tow»Ittherop8 and on the discharge below toMlftalion himself on the rope. The ^gun was fired and the per- former fell but missing the rope, he came tumbling do™ with'a fearful thud on the arena. Dr. O Leary, MF and another medical man, who were m the audience at once attended to the sufferer; but the iXries he sustained were of such a grave character that he lies in a very precarious state.
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At Whitby, on Wednesday, several fishing-boats were caught in a gale which sprang up suddenly, with a most dangerous sea. They were dashed about at the mercy of the waves and their swamping was momentarily expected by the immense crowd assembled on the piers. The National life. boat was launched into the surf, and with much gallantry rescued the'whole of the crews and landed them safely on shore. The boats were left at sea.
DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN ON THE…
DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN ON THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS. On Saturday afternoon Mr. John Nickelvie, coroner, held an inquest at the Evasdale Head Hotel! o the body of the Rev. James Jackson, of SandwiWi aged 82 years, who was found on Friday lyingde on the mountains at Ennerdale, near Pillar > where Mr. Barnard, of London, last year lost bis !»• It appears that the deceased started from home Tuesday in last week, and arrived at Wasdale &e the same night. At five o'clock on Wednesday JIlor he started for the Pillar Rock, which it has been custom to climb annually on the 1 st of May. Hedid » return to Wasdale Head that night, as he had and as fears were then entertained for his search was made for him on Thursday, but it unsuccessful. Search was again made on when his dead body, sadly mangled, was discov6^ by John Jenkinson, of Burnthwaite, and 1?** A Fletcher, of Wasdale Head, about 400 yards from P e2 Rock. He had apparently fallen down a very place two or three hundred yards high. They folJ?0 some hair on a rock about a hundred yards ab'>^el" body, and part of his head and face was knocked aWW* His watch had stopped at three o'clock. A bottle taining the folowing verse, which deceased had e dently intended to deposit on Pillar Rock, was Prtr duced at the inquest :— M "Two elephantine properties are mine: I can j pick up pin or plack; and when this year the Pillar 1^* climb, Four score and two's the howdah on ntf w Date of the third ascent, May, 1878 A stick deceased had with him was found about hundred yards above him. The jury returned verdict of Accidental death." The deceased formerly incumbent of Rivington, in Lancashire) resigned some time since, and he then went to Sandwith, near Whitehaven, where he was known as the "Patriarch of the Pillarites." travelled a good deal abroad, and contributed ally verse to the newspapers.
MR. GLADSTONE AND MR. BRIG0*…
MR. GLADSTONE AND MR. BRIG0* ON THE LIBERAL PARTY.. rr. Gladstone and Mr. John Bright have written leø to Liberals, at Accrington congratulating the .j^jj having elected twenty-four Liberals as members of first town council. Mr. Bright writes :— # • £ At this moment your election has a special { cance. You are not in favour of war nor in faX?UtJ)8 a party that is clamouring for war, and you take tbe first opportunity of declaring your adherence to the party which is truly anxious for peace. When ol working men of England comprehend their o. terests, 'they will give no support 'to the war 1! ø. They will have discovered that the wounds ferings of war are mainly for them, and its j|jff there be profits, are reserved for those far men of their social scale." of Mr. Gladstone ai.ys :I received the aCJoun1I1 your election with much pleasure, and I hope 1 eJØ, read in it an omen of steady caution, united national sinking of minor differences, which »ie that Liberals need in order to show themselvef, what they really are, the majority of this nation- J
PUNCH'S PRICE CURRENT.
PUNCH'S PRICE CURRENT. ■ 0 Steel sharpening, and Iron-Northern and sout Eastern qualities—lively. Gold asked after. Russians in the market. Gunpowder quiet, but expected to go off. Lead (last bulletin) likely to be wanted. Í11esS Fish and other Torpedoes quiet, but brisk bus anticipated. Iron armour-plates (British) looked after. llaJI' Steam Coals short, and would be taken in any 1 tity. German Steel doubtful. Russian Yarns not much in demand; but BuS Rope taken very freely in Roumelia. -Punch.
The EMPLOYMENT of INDIAN TR…
The EMPLOYMENT of INDIAN TR in EUROPE. So far we have ignored the zymotic question, ^$ is obvious that this is the chief point which taken into account in considering the physical both of our Indian and our English regiments, f tbf fighting side by side. If the zymotic death.*r»te former remains favourable, then there will ? toO special cause of anxiety; but if, as we fear is °? 'jfot' likely, the Indian contingent proves to be a e9s$} thel propagation and dissemination of zymotic di| jo* then the day may come when we shall have *m cause to regret the Premier's novel mode. Ji> tendency of medical opinion within more re years has been to accentuate the importance the personal factor in the causation of ay diseases, and especially so in the case of ch°j?^ which is perhaps the enemy that we have to dread in the present case. Pettenkofer -8. shown that the inhabitants of tricts, like Munich, still retain an increased 1f: ¡¡ltb1 to the disease, even after moving into more he tbllot surroundings. In the same way, it may pro^e>.$0 our Indian troops may bring with them not seeds of cholera, but also that soil which is .fjjl favourable to their growth. We know what t epidemics have been sown throughout Europe. ef0 by the agency of a few seeds scattered casual^, and there. We hesitate to think what might results of a serious outbreak of the disease a our Indian troops. There is such constant and sided intercourse between a country at war army that the extension of such an outbreak oJJe not fail to be most alarming, and it is certain*" of the contingencies which ought to have bel1 tj"" pondered over before the Indians left their 11 shore.-Medical Examiner.
NOTES FROM YOKOHAMA.
NOTES FROM YOKOHAMA. ø I enclose you a letter about an excursion thst made from here. This is about the prettiest coun uSt I ever saw even now in winter, and in spring it 111'16 be exquisite. Travelling is comfortable, as the na n< tea- houses are all of them clean. The mode of Co veyance is usually a jinrikisha, a thing like a pera111bof lator on two wheels, which is drawn by either two men. One feels funny at first in them, but 6 gets used to them. They go along at a good about! ix miles an hour—tha coolies trotting at a run the whole way. They are wonderful.$ ners, as I _am told that some of them will /l-g, hundred miles in a day with their ji They are very small men, but have treJ»1 t dously muscular legs, which, by-the-bye> J, sees a good deal of, as they are not overburu j with clothing. They usually wear straw sandal8' >jj on by a thong that passes between the great toe to the sides of the sandals, and is tied rouu ankle, lhe only danger is that in going downhiW'$ may get ^overpowered with the weight of a bi £ like me. in which case, I am told, they slip out to way and let one go. However, I have not com^ grief yet mvself. They live almost entirely oøf and fish with eggs occasionally. I see a good tbet of them with varicose veins, and I am told that don't last long, though I should think that not be much foundation for the statement, 0 io jinrikisha is quite a modern institution. I went t it a wrestling exhibition, and have a long note aboo 0 in my diary, which I can send you 8t me day W 00 can find time to copy it. Anyhow, it will keep, wrestlers try to develop fat as much as possi.blei re. at some of them are enormously fat fellow,o £ contrast to the little bits of fellows that inost natives are. Everybody is immensely p te, as yet uncorrupted by their intercourse wIthforeIgP uglJ one is still supposed to be eonfi treaty P q^ and has to get a pasap°rt t0 e interior. great charm here are the earthquakes, of whK*^ have already bad two or thxee since we have here They say that there is a regular season 0 them which is about April and May, when they i0 still more frequent tftey don't usually much, as they seem to depend on atmospheric jjj ditions, biit occasionally they are big affairs tha^. infinite amount of mischief, and, of course, ft jt possible to say when one of them begins, whe^h is to be a big one or not. All the houses are bv&A as to stand them, the real framework being of w Ot' that is pinned together hinge fashion, the 8tone| aide being merely a thin layer, which has no real!/ neetion with the house which it seems to io¥&' G. M., (Calcutta), in Land and Water.
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f¡t!f anti-vaccinators held in Pf a e'^er Wis read from Mr. Bright, in W T !„ v .c5°no'i write letters to you on this subject; said what I have to say upon it. I have nothing T,lnS to retract. You cannot overcome the unwil'1.pO" ot -Parliament to give you relief. I regret it, but ot* remedy it." lhe letter was written in resolution condemning imprisonment for non-vacoJ~ Pnssed at a previous meeting.. boo The Bishop of Manchester, preaching at rJejltio: Sunday, said the present contingency in which the m stands was so vast, so infinite in its issues, so far mere idle course of partisan politics, that every Efg^ tK should realise the actual position ot peril in i>° nt nation was. He contended that the interests ot res&?* were so bound up that we could not sacrifice the Russia without the interests of England suffering proportion. At the most, there had not been three righteous wars in which England had was not the time for people to siug war songs ana 8 0lJcP^9 great war against Russia. British honour ought to o t more than it had been, British interests ought to *of involved—unless we were going to lose the char& wise and understanding people—before we trusted 0 to the terrible chances of war.