The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

NATURE'S ENACTMENTS AND ACTS OF PARLLlMENT* By reading your late articles on land tenure (in which I am glad to recognize the handwriting of one of your oldest and ablest correspondents), I am forcibly reminded of the old distich :— Of all the ill- the human race endure, How few that laws or kings can cause or care and have been led to think that if the owners and occupiers of land would study the laws of Nature more, and Acts of Parliament less, they would come to the conclusion that of all +he remedies offered to us as panaceas by the different land doctors the most homoeopathic would prove the b< st, i I short., that all artificial barriers ar*» more or less erroneous. And tirst, as regards ownership When the inhabitants of these islands emerged from barbarism, and the populati m had first, as regards ownership: When the inhabitants of these islands emerged from barbarism, and the populati m had become Sufficiently numerous to occupy and cultivate all the best of the soils, it became a matter of necessity t at the occupier who had reclaimed, fenced, and tilled the and perhaps built a house for his family, and houses for is cattle, should have a permanent property in his outlay,—a fixitv of tenure subject only to the services, quit-rents, tithes "and other charges, which the feudal laws, wherever they prevailed, or the Saxon customs in other rlaees imposed on landed pro- perty, that being the only property that existed in a tangible shape. Hence the law of inheritance became also a necessity, and the power of making wills and settlements, otherwise no one would have taken the trouble to have made these perma- nent improvements; the desire of founding and perpetuating a family being one of the most natural passions, and most conducive to the improvement of property. True that in times of civil war and uncertainty these precautions were multiplied by the invention of entails and uses to an extent now become unnecessary, and which have been to a great ex- tent repealed; and I doubt whether any further removal of restrictions would have much effect in bringing more land into the market, or in reducing the price, in the face of the passion I have just alluded to, by which rich men are tempted to give thirty or forty years' purchase for a property— a price no person of moderate income could afford. At the same time there is no lack of land to be purchased in small quantities in the neighbourhood of towns and railway stations, where land jobbers, either individuals or companies, arc uni- versally buying up properties and subdividing them into small occupations, either for building suburban villas, or for market gardenel sand cowkeepers. Near these centres of population and industry the present owners are easily tempted to part with their land; at a distance from them small occu- pations would be ruinous to any owner or occupier. So that, as far as I can see, any law that interfered with the law of supply and demand would be either inoperative or mischievous. Secondly, the laws which govern the occupier are more simple. His security should be ample so long as he farms with justice to the farm and with profit to himself, in the interest both of his landlord and himself when he loses his capital and deteriorates his farm, this security should cease. His rent must be something more than the owner could make after paying the expenses of a bailiff or steward, otherwise he would farm himself. The size of his occupation is limited by his means. He must not hold less than will produce him the means of livelihood according to his station aft(r paying all outgoings. He must not hold more than his capital will enable him to stock and manage to the best advantage. Other things being equal, the larger the farm he can thus take, the larger in proportion will be the protit. The modern and expensive appliances, such as steam cultivators, &c., will be often remunerative on 1,000 acres, while they would be ruinous on only 100 acres. Nevertheless, the size of farms in England is, from the natural causes above referred to, gra- dually decreasing—the proportion of tenants holding five acres and under being one-half, and of those holding less than 100 a-res being four-fifths of the total occupiers of land. And if the wealth of England continues to increase the size of farms must go on diminishing. More land will be taken every year for villas, for pleasure farms, for market gardens, &c.; and from the same causes continuing to act on a lessened area, it will follow that, the value of land must increase irre- spective of any farming profits. Gentlemen will continue to purchase and rent land regardless of the interest it pays, for the sole pleasure of occupying, as they do now in the neigh- bourhood of London and large cities. This natural law will. I apprehend, gradually prevail, whether we like it or not, whether we try to modify it by Acts of Parliament or not. It has alreaoy cut up one half of the area of England into r plots of less than 100 acres, and will flow like a tide, gradual, but resistless, over the remaining half. In the meantime, let neither owner nor occupier of land bo discouraged, but make the most of their present opportunities. Prices keep up, especially of meat and all perishable produce. High farming is paying very fairly. Let us ccase to pester Parliament for new laws, or agitate for what is unattainable, while we neglect the advantages within our reach.-F. B..If. in Ayri- cultural Gazette.

1-- jporling. Tenbury races will take place on July 19. There will be a meeting at Wenlock on August 4. THE CHAMPION MATCH.—The match between Favonius and Jack Spigot has been "enlarged" into a private sweepstakes of 200 sovereigns each by the admission of Sterling course and weights the same. The winner of the Two Thousand ought not to be excluded. SECOND SALE OF THE MIDDLE PARK YEARLINGS.—The second sale of Mr Blenkiron's yearlings took place at Middle Park on Saturday. The average did not reach the high figure of the first lot, but nevertheless 40 lots realized 4,540 guineas, or an average of about 1131 guineas. PIGEOX SHOOTING.—L^st wepk, at the Welsh Harp, Hendon, an Optional Handicap Sweepstalcs was shot for, from the pontoon on the lake adjoining this well-known hostelry, and had Mr Warner made the event more public, r,o dotxbt there would have been a much larger attendance. For the principal event a silver cup was given by the Junior Gun Club, and, after some good sport, the Hon. R. S. Cotton proved the winner, his score being ten birds in succession. There were thirty-five competitors, the majority being members of Hurlingham and the Gun Clubs. The winner, who shot with a pin breech-loader by Boss, in addition to the cup took £35. SALE OF LORD COJIBERMERE'S STUD.—On Saturday, the 15th, Messrs Tattersall will dispose of the large and valuable stud of horses located at Combermere Abbey. The well-known ability and fine judgment of Lord Com- bermere in equine matters will no doubt attract a large number of purchasers. The animals for sale. 65 in num- ber, consist of the stallions Buckenbam, Brocket, and Milltown, 9 steeplechase horses, including Joey Ladle and Stronghold, 5 brood mares, 3 yearlings, 5 two-year- olds, 7 three-year-olds, and 3 four-year-olds, 17 hunters, and 10 hack and harness horses. CAPTAIN HILL'S OTTER HOUNDS.-A correspondent of Bell's Life writes as follows:—"Captain Hill and his noted pack of otter hounds arrived in Bala on Saturday evening last, accompanied by several gentlemen who are so fond of that capital sport, otter hunting." The meet, fixed for four a.m. on Monday morning, commenced try- ing the Dee," from Bala downwards, and at 5.50 a m., when nearing the village of Llanderfel, in a fine pool of the river, the music of the hounds told us the varmint" was at home, and very shortly two otters were viewed at the same time. After some exciting sport a young cuh otter was killed at 8.40. The hounds were then turned into the pool again, and at 10.15 a. m. a fine bitch otter was kil ed, closing as fine a morning's sport as anyone could wish to witness. The hounds appeared to have had quite enough, the water being so exceedingly cold. THE UPPER SEVERN AND VERNIEW.—"A. in the Field, writes as follows :—The rain I spoke of in my last, as having just set in, lasted for twenty-four hours. Being from the east, however, it did not bring down much water, three feet of flood being the greatest height of the spate in the Verniew. The rise on the other rivers was rather less. On the Verniew, above its confluence with the Banw, the water only rose about a foot. It caused the salmon to shift their places about from pool to pool, and one gentleman took a small fish of 81b. on Friday evening with worm high up the Verniew, another being hooked with minnow the same gentleman also succeeded in killing one of about 81b. with fly about a fortnight ago, before the rise of water. The trout have not come kindly to either fly or minnow since the rise, as might have been expected, only small lots of six or eight being basketed. The wind is now back to the south, and both weather and water good -for angling I hope to hear of better sport this week. Yesterday there was a strong westerly breeze, with a few slight showers, which brought two feet of nice peaty water down the Verniew this morning. A strong west wind—no matter whether there is rain lower down the valley or not-almost invariably brings a "spate" from the mountains down the Verniew. Anglersat a dis- tance should make a mem. of this. THE" DISCEETIONARY INVESTMENT" SWINDLE AND THE NEW BETTING Biij,The readers of certain of the sporting journals are familiar with the flaming advertise- ments from firms who style themselves discretionary in- vestors," and who from week to week thus announce the "immense success" that has atten ed their efforts, and the prodigious sums that have been realised for their clients who have entrusted them with cash wherewith to specu- late at the race meetings of the week. There is this anomaly in the transactions of these gentry, that whereas their advertisements announce suacess, we ascertain that all who to our knowledge have been foolish enough to entrust them with money, receive a circular and balance- sheet showing that by some unforeseen bad luck a large fortune has just been missed, th;it the selected horse ran unfortunately second, or that the money won on the earlier races has been, by the merest bad fortune, lost on some later race. In any case no winnings are forth- coming. If Lord Morley's Beti ing Bill become law these advertisements will be made penal; meantime, we should like to ask of the editors of these sporting contemporaries whether they themselves believe in the bond fides of those liberal investors, who, having such valuable racing know- ledge and information at their disposal, magnanimously offer their services to the public instead of securing the cream of the market for their own advantage ? If, as they advertise, a £ 10 note realizes JE500 each week under their winning moduses," the amount sunk each day in adver- tisements would in a month realise tens of thousands, and place them in such a position as to be above the necessity of a means of livelihood. Would any one of these pro- prietors of journals himself entrust a 210 note to the speculators who have thus the entree of bis colirnins ? If he would hesit&te before displaying such confidence, does it not strike him that by pocketing the price of these ad- vertisements he is himself a partaker in evil deeds ? It may seem strange that, considering the number of im- beciles who weekly burn their fingers over the discre- tionary investments," and then too late abjure the system, there should be found "flats" enough to make it worth while for these long firms weekly to pay for whole columns of advertisement of their proposals. We can only explain it by the fact that those who have been done" prefer to groan in secret, and to keep to themselves the tale of their own folly, and hence the advertisers find each day that there are as good fools still left in the sea of speculation a.s ever came out of it.-Globe.

On Tuesday week there were only three Conservatives present when the House was counted out, namely the Marquis of Hamilton, Colonel Wilson-Patten, and Mr. Plunket. On Saturday, July 1st, Mr Morley, M.P., spoke briefly on Education at the Warehousemen and Clerks' Schools' distribution of prizes. The hon. member took occasion to refer to the scheme of education now under consideration by the London School Board, as supply.ng the means by which boys taken from the streets might be enabled to to L sivr?uy s,

Witer,atitre. MAGAZINES FOR JULY. BELGRA VIA, as usual, contains an extremely sketchy article by Mr Sala. Of course it is readable, but it seems to lis that this most popular author is losing dash in his papers. Mr Walter Thorobuty's sketches, 'All Round St. Paul's' continue to be extremely interesting, and add largely to the attraction of the magazine. The novels are continued in force, the leading place being, very pro- perly, given to Miss Braddon's 'Lovers of Arden.' Of the four illustrations to the number, a couple consist of the orthodox "two figure" plates which look as if they were cut out of fashion books, and which illustrate any- thing or nothing. TINSLEY'S MAGAZINE contains what is very rare nov- -days, a really good, short, story. It is called 'My First Dinner Party,' and narrates the amusing woes and happy issues attending the mistakes of a young lady who went to the wr^ng house to dinner. Not so good is the dramatic sketch, Del:innay's Deliverance.' We cannot qu'te s.and a tender love scene between a couple when the lady has a revolver in her hand, and the gentleman is in mortal fear of being shot And this is toe position of the parties. Titaley's has only one two-figure plate" this month. MESSRS CASSELL'S PUBLICATIONS. -Cassell's Mtnedepends^olely on its leadingstory for its succcss; all the rest is wretched. But the leading story, A Terrible 1 emptation,' by Mr Charles Keade, makes ample amends. The Quiver is not without its "two-figured" pictures, but it has others that are charming. 'Tired,' and 'The Troubles of Chatty and Molly' are now the leading fea- tures of the serial. The History of the War, in the last part which is to hand, carries its readers to the capitula- tion of Metz. The illustrations are numerous and graphic, the portraits being especially well executed. The Technical Educator, part 8, and The Household Guide, part 21, con- tain much that is valuable.. Lastly, Little Folks, part 6, which completes the first volume, is full of capital pictures for children. The volume, containing 400 pages of pic- tures and plentv of stories, is now to be bad, price 3s.—a capital present for the small fry. ONCE A WEEK has very wisely discarded pictures. When the rage for illustrations pervaded magazine readers a few years ago, everybody said that Chambers's Journal must conform or perish, but Chambers did nothing of the sort, and now we always turn with relief to its pages after the succession of two figure plates" we get,ad nauseam, in serial after serial. Once a Week, as we have said, has now discarded pictures, and stands upon its literary merits, and so far it stands well. This month we have a continuation of Mr Grant's recollections of bye-gone London newspapers. He tells a good story of the Courier. It was an evening paper, and in 1812, on the day that Bellingham shot Air Percival. it brought out a second edition, recording the event. The public was insatiable, and demanded a third edition, so the publisher issued one which sold as fast as the limited machinery of those days could supply it. But all the additional particulars in the third edition was a paragraph as follows We stop the press to announce that the sanguinary villain Bellingham refuses to be shaved In addition to Mr Grant's con- tribution, we should mention the two'novels which are running through the magazine—'On Silver Wings' and 'Faith and Fortune.' Of shorter articles there are three or four very readable, but of the Table Talk the less said the better it is very feeble. CORNHILL MAGAZINE.—Mr Matthew Arnold ais- course:, oii'lzeligion and Dogma,' from which we hope to gi v extracts elsewhere. Then we have a capital paper on Lord Chesterfield, and a pleasant story of Swiss life—' Under the Mountains.' Here is an exquisite description of the Lake of Lucerne, taken from it :—" When one speaks of a Swiss lake with blue-green water clear as the very sun- light, deepenin,- here and there into strange, profound shadows, with mountains rising out of it, mountain behind mountain, until far away the eye rests upon the crown of everlastiug snow, with flashes of brilliant colours, boats with red-striped awnings, pomegranates flaming in great green tubs before the houses, little villages nestling among walnut trees close to the water's edge, and odd little cnurches with graceful red spires or tall cupola-like towers in the midstof them—everybody knows which lake it is." The two serial stories run on as usual, and there are also papers on the Her-chels, &e. Altogether the number keeps up the high reputation of The Cornhill. LONDON SOCIETY.—The 'Two Plungesfora Pearl' is continued, and there are several sketches and stories of considerable interest. By the way Mr PlanchtS, in bis Recollections assigns to Mr David Morris, the manager of the Haymarket, in 1827, the story about reproving a musician for" resting" when he was paid to "play." Is not the story of a much older date ? There is a lively story of a cricket match between the eleven of a Militia regiment and a town club, in which the former were victorious through enrolling in the regiment a professional bowler. Some of the pictures of the number are good, especially the pair illustrating "cloth" and "calico:" but there is one On the Sands," which would certainly have been better had the gentleman not so evidently pos- sessed a cork leg The Holiday Number of London Society is also published this month, and is a capital shil- ling's worth just the book for idle men at the sea side. MESSRS ISTRAHANS SERIALS.-Good. Words is strong in two continuous stories, 'The Hill Mills,' and 'The Sylvestres.' There is also Dean Stanley's sermon on the death of Herschel: a continuation of the papers. 'The Coolie,' by the author of Ginx's Baby, and further instal- ments of impressions of France and Italy by the late Nathaniel Hawthorne. Saint Pauls concludes 'Ralph the Heir,' and continues Mr MacDonald's and Miss Mulock's stories. The Sunday Magazine has three portraits of John Wesley, but not one of them is that usually found in the houses of Methodists. Good Words for the Young has an unusual variety of good things for boys aud girls this month. THE CHRISTIAN TREASURY contains the first chapter of a series of papers on Science and Scripture' by the Rev. J. Brodie: also continuations of 'Duncan Matheson at Sebastopol,' and Lily Hope and her Friends,' &c., &c. The Children's Hour (from the same publishers) contains much that is interesting, and has several illustrations.

Jarte and J;lntdt$. The rising generation age" rapidly in Detroit. A mature specimen, eight years old, was hunting about the police stations for a stray father the other night. You see," be remarked, with filial exultation, the guv'ner's a little wild yet, but he'll grow out of it." A SLIGHT MISTAK.B.-The churchwardens of a village church had been very industrious in selling a new hymn- book, costing la. 6d. The minister, one Sunday, just be- fore dismissing the congregation, rose and said—" All you a c"l*^rel1 to baptise will please present them next oabpath. Ihe churchwarden, who was a little deaf, having an eye to selling his books, and supposing his pastor had been referring to them, immediately jumped up and ihouted-" And all you who haven't any can get as many sts you want by calling on me at Is. 6d. each.Court Journal A HUMOROUS SCOTCH ANECDOTE.—A curious story is told of three young candidates for a Scottish ministry, The first one put upon his trial, while putting on his robes, happened to descry an ancient-looking well-worn roll of paper, which proved to be a sermon upon the text, "Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents." Seeing that the old sermon was much better than his new one, the aspirant to pulpit honours took possession of it, delivered it as his own, and then returned it to its old resting-place. The sermon was a good one, and pleased the hearers, although they would have preferred one delivered without book. Great was their astonishment the following Sunday when preacher number two treated them with the same sermon from the same text; but it was too much for Scottish patience when a third minister, falling into the same trap, commenced his sermon by announcing that Jacob was a plain man. dwelling in tents and one old woman re- lieved the feelings of her fellow-sufferers by exclaiming, Deil dwell him Is he never going to flit?" A YANKEE STORY.—A gentleman who has recently made a trip on a Florida steamer up the usually placid waters of the Ocklawaha, tells the story of a scene which, he says, made his hair stand on end. This it is in brief :— Suddenly the steamer encountered a sea of alligators, floundering and splashing water in every direction. Be- fore the speed of the little steamer could be checked, they found themselves in the midst of these terrible monsters. The passengers endeavoured to drive them away by shooting, and the hands on board beat them with hand- spikes, yet they seemed more determined to obstruct the passage of the Already three coloured men had been devoured by these terrible monsters, and others wounded. Several planks were torn from the hull, and the steamer was with difficulty kept from sinking. Just at this period relief came. A huge serpent appeared making his way from the lakes—the same, it is supposed, that was seen at "Devil's Elbow" last fall. The alli- gators soon disappeared, following the sea-devil, or whatever you may call him, and such fighting never was witnessed. At a point below, where the river sud- denly narrows, it soon became blocked with dead alli- gators, and the water was red with blood. — Jfew York Times.. Times.

The Independence Bdge of July 2nd publishes an address of Father Hyacinthe to the Catholics, denying that he is a heretic, or that he has been lawfully excommunicated. He speaks in his address against monastic life. On Friday, June 29th, the Revisers of the New Testament Company concluded their eleventh session. The company have now arrived at the end of the 6th chapter of St. Mark's Gospel, and have revised during the four days a greater number of verses than at any previous session of the same number of days. The company sat about 29 hours, and the average attendance was 21. UNPRECEDENTED MUNIFICENCE.—The Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge, have presented the Rev. Dr Major, formerly for many years the very successful Head Master of King's College School, London, to the vicarage of Arrington, near Royston. The yearly value of the vicar- age of Arrington is stated in the Clei-gy List to be £ 69.—The Times. Some curious statistics have lately been published in refe- rence to the Society of Friends. Their numbers—steadily on the decline for years, we believe-have now fallen to 14,013, nearly equally divided between the sexes. In addition to those, about 4,000 persons, not members of the society, attend its meetings for worship. Fifty-two marriages took place in the society last year—a small number; but probably some members, marrying ontsiders, had the wedding ceremony per- formed in other than Quaker meetings. The society gained by 274 births during the year, and lost by 270 deaths; in addition to the latter cause there was a loss of 76 members bv resignation and of 24 by "disownment "-in plain terms, expulsion. To balance these losses 127 persons joined the society by "convincement"; a considcable number, seeing that, like Unitarians and Jews, the Quakers do not seek to make pros-,],

The sale of the Earl of Derby's estates in Tipperary is reported. The price realised is set down at £ 150,000. On of the poetry prizes at Marlborough hils been awarded to Mr Hallam Tennyson, son of >he -opt laureite. i Three men have been a-rested under the Westmeath Act, recently passed, and lodged in Kilmunham Prison, Dublin. The authorities decline to state their names. Oh Saturday, the operative joiners employed by three of the largest firms at Leeds struck work for nine hours a diy and 7d. per hour. It is feared that there will be a general lock-out. Many of our contemporaries, copying a blunder com- mitted by a London paper, announced that the new Act reducing the rates of :postage came into operation on Saturday. We believe that the act will not come into force until August 1. The little vessel, the City of Ragusa, tonnage 1 ton 17 cwt., has reached Queenstown from New York, having occupied just thirty-six days in the voyage across the Atlantic. The sole occnpants of the ship were Captain Primorez, his "crew" of one man, and a bull-terrier dog. At a railway celebration dinner in London, on Saturday, r Mr Gladstone advised railway companies to reduce their fares, and to stick to the democracy, f-,r by securing the patronage of the great tulk of the people they would obtain 1 he most lasting and the most elastic source of prosperity. By a telegram received at theForeign Office we learn that the American Expedition against Corea has been success- ful. After a desperate defence by the Coreans, the United States forces completely defeated them, capturing their stronghold in King How Island, and killing some 500 of the Coreans. The American loss was but slight. An extraordinary occurrence i, reported from Maidstone. A man named Welsh threw a woman into the Medway, with the intention of drowning her. She grasped his coat, pulled him into the water with her, and raised the alarm. The result was that she was rescued, and Welsh was drowned. Market gardeners in West Cornwall are eagerly com- peting for town refuse, which is found to be exceedingly valuable for the growth of early vegetables, more particu- larly the potato. A few days ago the Penzance refuse realised at the rate of 50s. for a pile which not long ago would not have made half that amount. The Scotsman tells a story which is enough to make the old Iron Duke" turn in his grave. It states, as a report," that the only landed proprietor who has declined to allow the flying columns of troops, which are to manoeuvre about Hampshire in autumn, to move over any part of his lands is no less a personage than the Duke of Wellington! In the sitting of the National Assembly, on June 27th, the Duke d'Audiffret-Pasquier exposed some gigantic frauds on the part of the contractors engaged during the late war. A committee had been appointed to conduct the investigation, and the Duke said they had in their possession more than 8,400 documents bearing upon the subject, and proofs against, at least, one high functionary. A woman named Burns has confessed, at Wigan, to the murder of her stepfather, twelve months ago. She lived with him as his wife. He was a member of several friendly societies, and in the event of his de-itli his repre- sentative would become entitled to from JE20 to £ 30. He be- came ill, and she, unable to resist the temptation, poisoned him by mixing white precipitate with his medicine. Mr J. R. Jeffery, the head of the Compton House, Liverpool firm, has not long survived the collapse of his gigantic business. When the great crash came his physical powers gave way, and, though at one time there seemed to be a prospect that careful nursing and complete seclusion would restore his health, he died suddenly on Sunday morning, at Ilkley Wells, ia Yorkshire, while at breakfast with his wife, one of his sons (Mr F. Jeffery), and his daughter. The Passion Play was performed at Oberammergau for the first time this year on Saturday week. A telegram to the Daily Ntws says there was a thunderstorm in the evening just after the play. Two thousand spectators were present, the majority being English and Americans. The acting was good, and the music and singing excellent. The scenes were effec- tively arranged. Lord Shaftesbury presided on Tuesday week over the annual meeting of the Female Medical Society. The report showed that within the past twelve months ninety-eight students had entered the institution. Amongst the speakers were Miss Emily Faithful, Sir John Bowring, Dr. Drysdale, and Dr. Edmunds, and one of the resolutions condemned the present system, by which the whole medical teaching of the United Kingdom was monopolized by a few privileged schools. It is said that a savant has lately discovered by help of the microscope that when we pour milk into a cup of tea. the albumen of the milk and the tannin of the tea instantly unite and form leather, or minute flakes of the very same compound which is produced in texture of the tanned hides, and which makes it leather as distinguished from the original skin. He consequentiy estimates that in the course of a year a tea-drinker of average capacity imbibes enough leather to make a pair of shoes." We simply give the statement for what it is worth. The Lord Chancellor's Bill to make further provision for the despatch of business by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has been issued. It gives power to the Queen to appoint four additional members of the Judicial Committee. Two must have been Judges of the superior Courts at Westminster, and the other Judges in Bengal. The existing rules as to salary and pension are to be con- tinued as to the English Judges but, if one of the mem- bers is not a Judge at the time of his appointment, he is to have a salary of 21,500 a year in addition to any pension to which he may be entitled. A despatch from Dayton, Ohio, dated June 10, states that the Hon. Mr Vallandigham accidentally shot himself that day at Lebanon. It appears that the deceased was present as leading counsel for the defence of a man named M'Gehan, who was accused of the murder of a ma.n named Myers, by shooting him in the abdomen. When the accident occurred he was in company with Lieutenant-Governor McBurney, who was associated with him in the defence, and the latter expressed some doubt as to the theory that Myers had shot himself. Mr Vallan- digham took up a pistol frem the table, saying he would show Mr McBurney in half a second. There were two pistols on the table, one of which was loaded, and he, by mistake, took up the loaded one, put it in his pocket, and withdrew it, keeping the muzzle next his body and just as he was withdrawing it, the pistol went off, and shot the unfortunate gentleman in exactly the same part of the body where Myers was shot. In the Court of Divorce, on Saturday, July 1st, the case of "Millward v. Millwar. I and Calesher was heard. The petitioner, who was a gentleman farmer in Warwickshire, was married to his wife, who was the daughter of a farmer in the same county, in April, 1865, and one child was the issue of the marriage. The parties lived happily together, and amongst those who visited at the petitioner's house was the co-respondent, who had an engagement in a gun factory in the neighbourhood. In 1867, ftom information given to him, the petitioner taxed his wife with being un- faithful to him, and charged her with misconduct with the co-respondent. Although she at first denied the charge she afterwards admitted that she had committed adultery with the co-respondent. The same evening she managed to leave her husband's house, and took with her articles of jewelery and other valuables, and went with the co- respondent. They were subsequently traced to Russia, where the co-respondent holds an appointment of £ 2,000 a year as agent to an English company of gun manufacturers, and where notice of the present suit was served upon them. The jury upon these facts found that the respondent had been guilty of adultery with the co-respondent, and awarded 22,000 damages'against the latter. The learned judge pronounced a decree nisi, with costs. The details of the total destruction by fire of the Peru- vian ship Don Juan, at sea, by which 500 coolies perished, have been received. The Don Juan left Macao on May 4th, with a cargo of G50 coolies, for Peru, and on the 6tii was burned to the water's edge, not more than fif! y miles from Hong Kong. The coolies who have arrived in Hong Kong all aver that their treatment was humane, and they had nothing whatever to complain of either as to the allowance of food or the quality or quantity, and the whole affair was simply accidental. The other view in the question, namely, that the vessel was set on fire by designing men among the Chinese, is not impossible. One of the men distinctly avers that he heard an explosion of gunpowder after, and also smelt a strong smell of it. Others again say they did not hear any report; that they were nearly overpowered by the sickening smell of the ship's material burning aft. 0 The father who will never forgive an erring daughter, and immediately rushes into her arms with tears in his eyes (concealed by a careful application of a handker- chief) is familiar to all play-goers. In real life, the unre- lenting father is a very different personage; and his stubborn "virtue" frequently drives the erring child to desperation. A case of this kind came under the notice of a London coroner on Monday. The deceased was a girl named Gardner, residing at Bow. She was respect- ably connected, and was her father's favourite daughter. Unfortunately she "got astray," and when the indignant parent demanded the name of her seducer, she only re- plied by tears, and implored his forgiveness. He refused, although the poor creature, "on her knees and with tears in her eyes," for an hour appealed to his mercy. Another sister tried to soften the parental heart by passionate en- treaties, but in vain. The result was that the girl com- mited suicide. At the Carnarvonshire Quarter Sessions, Friday, June 30th, Hugh Jones, a bandsman of the Carnarvonshire militia, was charged with stealing a quantity of property belonging to John Jones, a labourer. The prosecutor, an Anglesey labourer, came to Carnarvon with his wife in May. On the 15th of that month, while the husband was at work, the prisoner, a married man, eloped with the wife, and they were traced by the police to Aberystwith, and subsequently to a place near Merthyr Tydvil, where the prisoner, still with the woman, was discovered wearing a portion of the prosecutor's clothes, and it was also proved u, that he had disposed of a quantity of property which the runaway couple had taken with them. The woman herself was called into the box, and confessed to the elopement and to taking away her husband's wages, and a box containing crockery, blankets, and clothing belonging to her husband. The prisoner, she said, had no money of his own, and she paid his railway fare and maintained him, as well as her- self, out of the proceeds of the sale of the property. In cross-examination she said she had been married only four yeai s, and had known the prisoner but a week before the elopement, and had spoken to him only two or three times. She denied the insinuation that she sought the prisoner and not he her, and that she had been living with him since he had been liberated on bail. She admitted to the counsel for the prosecution that if not drunk she had been drinking when she left with the prisoner. The defence was that the prisoner (who was proved to possess a good character) was enticed away by the woman, and had no knowledge that she was tnking away her husband's pro- perty. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and the Court senter.ee.! him to six months' hard labour."

GOBOWEN. PREESHFNLLE BRITISH SCHOOLS. On Friday June 30th a presentation of an interesting character was made to Mr Lightbourn, the master of the Preeshenlle British Schools, by the scholars attending the schools and their parents. Mr Lightbourn is about to resign his connection with the schools, with which he has been identified for the last three years, and the fact becoming known a subscrip- tion-lret was opened by his scholars for the pur rose of pre- senting him with some suitable memento of his connection with the schools, and in recognition of the kindness they have always experienced from him. The appeal was liberally responded to, and although the subscription-list was lira ted exclusively to the children and their parents, a handsome amount was obtained, a.od expended in the purchase of a beautiful writing-desk, a traveling-bag, and a copy of Charles. Dickens's works in eight handsomely- bound volumes. The presentation was made by the three elder boys of the school, and was fealingly acknowledged by Mr Lightbourn.

WHITCHURCH. THE WORKHOUSE.- It has been decided to light the Whitchurch Wor khouse with gas. COLLECTIONS AT CHUKCH.—The last collections made at the parish churches ia lieu of church rates amounted to m3 Os. Md. SERVICE FOR CHILDREN. — Saturday last being the nativity of St. John the Baptist a special service for the children of the National Day and Sabbath Schools was held in the parish church in the morning. A suitable sermon was preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Allen. PIC-NIC TO ELLESAIERE.-On Tuesday afternoon week a number of young people connected with the Congrega- tional Church, Whitchurch, accompanied by the Rev. J. Balshaw, pastor, and friends, in all thirty-two in number, left Whitchurch by the 1-12 train to Ellesmere. Arrived there, the party proceeded to view the objects of interest, the principal of which were the beautiful lake, and Oteley Hall with its magnificent grounds. The visitors were much pleased with the latter and especially with the con- servatories and vineries. The party partook of a refresh- ing tea in the Congregational Schoolroom, and afterwards spent the remaining time in rowing on the mere, returning to Whitchurch shortly before nine o'clock. ANNIVERSARY OF THE LADIES' CLUB.-Wednesday wek was a day which possessed a certain amount of interest to a very considerable portion of the inhabitants of Whitchurch and its vicinity, as being the day for the celebrating of the anniversary of the Ladies' Club. Those, however, who had looked forward to the occasion would no doubt feel dis- appointed at the wet and gloomy state of the weather during the morning. In the afternoon, however, there came a change the sun shone out, and the rest of the day, although the aspect was threatening at times, remained fine. To show that, in a measure, this was a gala day, the flag was hoisted at the summit of the old church steeple, and the bells rang merry peals at intervals. The anniversary proceedings par took of the usual character. About half past two the mem- bers assembled at the Green, from whence a procession was formed. This was headed by the Whitchurch Rifle Corps band, and the head of the procession was taken by Mrs Venables, of Chester, who still remains patroness of the society. In this order the members proceeded down St. Mary's-street and up High-street to the parish church for Divine worship. The sermon, which was one suited to the occasion was preached by the Rev. W. H. Egerton, rector. At the conclusion of the service the members again formed into procession and returned to the Green for tea, which was provided there in a tent erected lor the purpose. The tea was, of course, much enjoyed. By six o'clock the Green was tolerably well filled, and as the evening wore on the company increased till it became very numerous. The Rifle band dis- coursed music, and dancing, which was entered into with great spirit, was well kept up till the usual hour for dispersing, nine o'clock. The Lancers conclnded the dance programme, and with the customary playing of the Natioual Anthem the company withdrew. We are informed that there was about an average attendance on the Green, and certainly this, the twenty-ninth anniversary proved in every respect successful. The society possesses funds amounting to upwards of zC2,250, and pays its members 4s. per week as full sick-pay. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH.—Before T. H. bandtord, hsq., and Cel. K. F. Mill. Assault.-Ellen Gaughan and Eliz beth Stockton, of Whitchurch, were charged with having violently assaulted Timothy M'Dermott, on the 17th June. Complainant said he was in his lodgings getting his supper. Ellen Gaughan came in, and he asked her for ls. she owed him. He thought she was the worse for drink, and she began to blackguard him and call him names, and took up the poker and struck him on the back. Mrs Stockton also came in, and pushed him into the passage and held him there.-The Bench thought there was not sufficient evidence to convict Stockton, but as Mrs Gaugb m had been at the office several times before, they decided to commit her to the House of Correction for seven days. Drunk and Riot,)us. -James Davies, gardener, was charged with being drunk and riotous at the College Club, on the 17th June. P.C. Jones proved the case, and de- fendant, who said he was sorry, was ordered to pay the costs, 10s. 4d.-Ja.mes Davies, of Darleston, near Prees, was charged with the same offence. P.C. Grice said de- fendant was drunk, and had struck his wife twice. De- fendant's mother appeared, and said she thought it would do as well. The Bench said this would not 0 do, and he must appear next week.—Joseph Langford, of I-htfield Heath, was charged with being drunk and riotous at Ash, on the 29th May. P.C. Jones said he found defendant lying in the road, and he challenged him to fight. Bound over to keep the peace in his own recognizances of 25, and to pay cnsts, 15s. 2d. Transfer of Licence.-The licence of the Crown and Mitre Inn, Green End, was transferred from Mr W. Black to Mrs Broadgate, late of Hanley. Assault. Rival Sweeps. — Thomas Rogers, sweep, of Whitchurch, was charged with assaulting John Howard, also a sweep, on the 10th June. It appears that Rogers was siktinof on his door-step when Howard passed. Rogers put out his feet and tripped him up. He then dragged him into the entry adjoining 'his house, and kicked him in the stomach.—Wm. Axton, Mrs Axton, and Henrv Axton gave evidence in support of the case. Defendant said the reason he did it was because Howard had hit his daughter, and that they had a regular fight. Bound over to keep the peace in his own recognizances of £10, and ordered to pay costs, 21 4s. 6d. Drunk and Refusing to Quit.-Timothy M'Dermott, of Whitchurch, was charged with being drunk and refusing to ouit the Black Bear Inn, Whitchurch, on the 29th May. —Mrs Growcott, the landlady, said defendant would not leave even when requested by P.C. Blower, who came in. The case was [proved, and he was ordered to pay the costs. Charge of Permitting Drunk-enness.-Pobert Phillips, landlord of the Ancient Briton Inn, New Woodhouses, near Whitchurch, was charged with having, on the 1st June, knowingly permitted Joseph Bettley, in the em- ploy of Mr J. G. Harrison, brewer, to become drunk on his premises.—Mr Brooke, of Nantwich, appeared for the defendant, who said that Bettley had been out with the cart to Nantwich, and called at the Ancient Briton com- ing back. He had some ale there which made him drunk. This he found out when he got to Broughall but he had had a drop or two of gin between th-re and the Ancient Briton. A letter from Mr Meredith, of Burleydam, was handed in testifying to Mr Phillips's sobriety and steadi- ness, and the Bench, after hearing other evidence, dis- missed the case. Several other cases were also disposed of. CLUB ANNIVERSARIES. The first of July is always a day of great excitement in Whitchurch, five of the numerous clubs and friendly societies which make their head-quarters in the town, celebrating their anniversaries on that day. The clubs met at their respective lodges in the morning, and attired in all the pomp and circumstance which mark a celebration of this kind, and headed by bands of music, they, marched in procession through the town, and attended divine ser- vice in the parish church, an excellent sermon being preached by the Rev. W. H. Egerton, rector of Whit- church, from Ephesians v., 15, 16. At the termination of the services, the members dined together at their seve- ral club houses. THE UNION SOCIETY, which on this day celebrated its eighty-third anniversary sitting down to dinner at the Fox and Goose Inn, Green End, where, as usual, the best of good dinners was served by Mrs Burgess, the waiting arrangements being admirablv discharged under the management of Mr Richard Wych- erley. From the annual statement it appears that the reeeipts for the year amounted to 21,162 10s. Id. the cash paid to sick members, 2353 17s. and to pensioners, JE474 7s. The total amount of stock is £7,362 3s. 4d., being an increase on the year of £4219; 5d. The number of members on the books is 748. About ninety sat down to dinner. The chair was occupied by Dr Borroughs, and among those present were Mr C. Foulkes, Mr H. B. Jenkin, Mr Tisdale, Mr T. Green, Mr Hesketh, Mr Owen (Marbury), Mr Skitt, Mr G. E. Foulkes, Mr J. Shone, jun., Mr Booth, Mr H. Williams, &c. After the tables had been cleared and grace said, the chairman-requested all present to remain, as Mr Hesketh, their secretary, had a few remarks to make respecting the club. Mr HESKETH said he had not come there to speak, and was not prepared to say much. Perhaps some of those who were then present had been there twelve months be- fore, when there was some anxiety shown by the members as to the welfare of the society. Shortly after the last I least a general meeting had been called tor the purpose ui altering some of the rules, because their expenditure ex- ceeded their income. Two years ago the members op- posed any alteration, but at the last meeting the members I came prepared to agree to alterations, seeing the necessity of there being something done. The alterations would press upon some and there was some dissatisfaction shown, but he was happy to say they now seemed to be more agreeable to the change. (Hear, hear.) I heir balance- sheet would show that they had improved and the pen- sioners were having a good return for their money The agreeable to the change. (Hear, hear.) Their balance- sheet would show that they had improved and the pen- sioners were having a good return for their money. The position of the club at the present time was better than it ever had been since it was established. (Hear, hear.) At the first, although they were saving, the liabilities were larger, and if they had gone on in the way they were going, they would not have been so well-off as they were at that time. Mr Hesketh went on to invite all to co-operate with the officers in bringing about the pros- perity of the club, speaking of the way in which he had often sympathized with sick members, wives, and families, when they came ttll him for pay, and remembering that there was no Christian man but what must think a sick club an excellent institution. Mr Hesketh was loudly applauded on concluding his remarks. The toast of the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family" was given from the chair. The CHAIRMAN next proposed The Army Navy, Yeo- manry, and Volunteers," remarking that he was sure wht n called upon each branch of the service would do its duty. (Hear, hear.) Mr C. L. CA UTWRIGHT responded on beJialf of the Vol- unteers Mr IT. B. JENKIN for the Yeom&nry. XLs CiUlKiUS tLen gave the "Bbbop and Cer^y," coupled with the name of the Rev. W. H. Egerto*t thanking him fur the excellent sermon he had preached that morning. Mr FOULKES proposed Success to the Union Society.1* (Applause.) In giving this toast he would also include all the other societies, not forgetting the Ladies' Society. Hetrusted that as regarded their own club, the way In which they were now going on would tend to increase their funds and prosperity. (Hear, hear.) At this point Mr Borroughs vacated the chair, and Mr Foulkes, having been requested to do so, took his place. Mr FOULKES gave the "health of Lord Hill." Cer- plause *)6 better nobIemah or landlord existed. (Loud ap- The" Town and Trade of Whitchurch was next given v ir' coupled with the name of Mr Norton. Mr NORTON, in responding, said he was sorry there waS no one older than himself to acknowledge the toast. AI far as he was concerned he had met with success in the town. Without trade they could do nothing, and he hoped to find that the new market hall would be benefit to the town. (Hear, hear.) Mr JENKIN said he rose with great pleasure to propooe a gentleman s health, and he hoped they would receive it with the same cordiality. Mr Foulkes had been long con- nected with the Union Society. His attention to it and his having been chairman of it for many years, called fof their respect, and he deserved their highest enconiumS. (Hear, hear.) Their club had now arrived at a happy issue, as instead of having £100 or so to the bad as they vln had had they had now ±43 to the good. They all knel the good which accrued from these societies; the rateS were kept down, and it was good for the parish. Parents in joiuing them set an excellent example to their child' ren, and it must lead on to civilization. When they had a gentleman like Mr Foulkes, who took such ap interest in their club, he thought they could not do better thall, drink his health. (Cheers.) Mr FOULKES, after thanking Mr Jenkin and the company said he had been Chairman for twenty-five "ears, but this yeal he had declined, because he had worked long enough, and every- one ought to have his day, but after all he was there again* fHear, hear). He had presided at a meeting at the W' t Men's Hall, when the members would not do what he WL iei but six months after the very things he had proposed were carried, and they now saw they had the line on their biJle, Increase of funds," &c. He hoped they would have further increase, and the other societies. (Hear, hear.) Mr JENKIN proposed, in complimentary terms, the health of Mr Owen, Host of Marburv." t Mr OWEN suitably responded. Mr FOULKES gave the health of Mr Jenkin, as an old frienO who had stuck to him on those occasions for many years, he should often have been in a dilemma. The tradesmen P the town never came now to the "festive board" of ty society, as they used to do, but Mr Jenkin had always sup ported him. Mr JENKIN having acknowledged the toast, a number Of others were drunk, among them that of "the Host all, Hostess," with thanks for the good dinner provided. So capital songs were also sung by several members of tM company, and the evening was passed in a most agreeabH manner. j A second division of the Union Society dined at the Cow Inn, Pepper-street, where the chair was ably filled bf; Mr Scott, of the Bull Ring. A good dinner was provided the landlady, Mrs Cartwright. THE ROOD SAMARITAN LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS made the Crown and Mitre their head-quarters for the dajj Host Black catering to the satisfaction of all. A glance 0 their balance-sheet shows that the lodge numbers 268 meJr bers, eighteen of whom were admitted since the last annivtf sary, and that it has accumulated a capital of £ 1,199 15s. the increase on the year being L104 6s. 8d. THE OLD FRIENDLY SOCIETY, which has now attained its 118th year, and has the lafjl capital of £ 2,404 19s. l§d., and 290 paying members, M dinner provided at Mrs Muaray's, the Bull's Head Inn and THE OLD FORESTERS j dined at their lodge house, the Horse and Jockey, where large number partook of the capital fare provided by M Grocott. The lodge, as appears by the statement issued jj the secretary, is worth £ 10 9s. Id. per member, of wb^j there are 220 on its books. During the year sick expend have absorbed R148 lis., and funerals £ 31. THE COURT SHERWOOD LODGE OF FORESTERS, which is an offshoot from the previous lodge, dined at Bridgewater Arms. The lodge, which has but recently be1/ formed, numbers forty-three members, and has a capital' £ 191 12s. 9d. The bands engaged during the day were the Whitchur^ Oswestry Rifle Volunteers, the Stoke-upon-Trent, the N wich, and the Royal Denbigh Militia. The day's proceediw were wound up by an united dance in the White MeadvWSo

RUABON. SCHOOL BOARD.—A meeting of the Board was heldf June 28th. The attendance comprised Mr E. Mof$ chairman Rev. R. LI. Owen, Mrs C. J. Pullar, E-JJ Roberts, G. Thomson, and Mr J. D. Jones, clerk. Chairman informed the Board that he had called upon treasurer as requested, and had made arrangements him to carry out the resolution come to at the last ing. The report of the Statistical Committee was rerj and after considerable discussion adjourned to the »e meeting. I

EFAIL-Y-RHYD. CLUB ANNIVERSARY.—The Bomerian Friendly SocH held their anniversary at Efail-y-Rhyd, on Friday The members, numbering 105, met at two p.m., and in procession, headed by the Berwyn Mountain (Llan& nog) Brass Band, to the Baptist Chapel, where an apP^ priate sermon was preached by the Kev. J. RobinsOlli Trebrys. After the »ervices, the procession marched pavihon, where an excellent dinner was provided by Ju and Mrs J ones. Among those present we noticed-?. Rev. J. Robinson, of Trebrys, Mr T. Morris, Lloran-u Mr R. Buckley, Cefn, &c. The society, it appears the statement of accounts, is in a flourishing condit1^ The amount of funds, £ 349 2s. 10d., showing an inct&j on last year of £ 44 6s. 2d. amount paid to sick menit^S jE25 8s. The band played for a considerable time o. field, and a very pleasant evening was spent.

LLANYMYNECH. I THE PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL TEA PARTY.—The tea party in connection with the Llanymynech terian Chapel took place on Tuesday, June 27, Ll•"jj mynech Hill beifeg again chosen as the locale. The ness of the day, and the special facilities which 11 kindly afforded by the managers of the Cambrian ft Shrewsbury and Potteries lines, combined to attra^ large number of pleasure seekers, the home contiog^ being reinforced by a great number of friends Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, and Llanfyllin. was provided in a large tent belonging to Mr. Huxle^M Bettisfield, which was pitched near the house on the K the caterers being Messrs. Jones Brothers, of OsweSn who gave every satisfaction to the numbers vv thronged the tent in quest of comestibles. About hundred partook of tea, the lady presidents of the t being Miss H atcliffe, Mrs Kent, Mrs and Miss Redffv Mrs Jones (Llanymynech), Miss Foulkes (Ruthin), K Brown, the Mimes E. and A. Pitt, Miss Davies (0'J briw), Mrs Pugh (Llanymynech), Mrs Pugh (Tr ede Miss J. Davies (Maesbrook), and Miss Roberts (LI mynech). After tea it badbeen intended to hold a ptl meeting at which addresses were to have been deliv by the Rev. W. Foulkes, resident minister, the R Ogwen Jones, of Oswestry, the Rev. E. Griffiths, MeijJ and the Rev. J. Jones, Coedway, but owing to the '5 hour to which the tea di inking was prolonged, and i fact that the bulk of the company had to leave for h$ by an early train, this portion of the programme ha^i be abandoned. Various and varied were the amuseIXI to which the pleasure seekers betook themselves. TO of an antiquarian turn of mind peered into the reces5 the famous Ogo hole, and found other attractions i remains of Offa's Dyke, a portion of which still survi^ those for whom nature hath charms cli bed to the suP^I of the hill, and enjoyed the picturesque landscape lay at their feet; here one came across a group trea^i the mszy dance to the exhilirating music of a solitary (J which tootled primitive music in a manner which wos 0 dently appreciated by its listeners another group vrO be found indulging in the mysteries of kiss.in-the-ring kindred gtmes, whilst the more juvenile part of the panj7 enjoyed themselves with cricketing, racing) i other innocent amusements. The afternoon was evid^j spent in a veiy enjoyable manner, and nothing occil to mar the harmony of the occasion. The children attd ing the Maesbrook Primitive Methodist Chapel, f eighty in number, were also on the hill enjoying annual outing, and tea was provided for them in the

PONTROBERT. s EDUCATION.—Last Thursday was a day to be re^ t bered in the neighbourhood of Pontrobert, bot^i children and adults connected with the National Some six months ago, at the request of some of his i>eV bours, the rev. vicar, Dr James, evinced a willing have the school conducted upon thoroughly unsect&y principles, and to be under the management of »$ mittee chosen irrespective of sect or creed. Since yj the committee have secured the services of a ce.4,ifi master. In order to give both master ind schc- »j/j encouragement the committee thought it desirable t° a tea party and a public examination. The tea was fjrf gratis, not only to the school children but to children of the parish. As is usual on such occasi great, many mor children turned up than were supPjn i neighbourhood. It soon became apP^I that the schoolroom would hold but a small porti"V| them, and it was therefore necessary to have the eiJ\ nations held in the open air. Benches and formal/ conveyed to the spot from all directions. The rev. f\ man, Dr James, commenced the meeting fey Then the children were examined in various subjejL/ Mr Peddle, the schoolmaster, the Rev. D. Evans, ffridd, and the Rev. Edward Griffiths, Meifod, delivered appropriate addresses upon the duties of P with regard to the school. Afterwards a few prizeS^' awarded, and the usual vote of thanks to the tea$ and the chairman unanimously passed, and one most interesting meetings the neighbourhood has je4* a long time terminated. It is hoped that good$ done by it to the cause of education, and that children will henceforth better appreciate the great tages brought to their doors. Much credit is d«e gCl/[ James for the liberal manner in which he allows to be conducted, and were more of the established e r' men to follow his example it would be none the ^°c0{ the Church, and certainly would be much better cause of education.—Communicated. T-Tp to

Many members of the Social Science AssocilltíoØe waited upon the Marquis of Ripon, urging the ^iffy to put into force the Diseases Prevention Act, nK; view to the suppression of small-pox. His Lords .cd.V promising to consider the suggestions offered, renJl^ 11 deputation that the Privy Council had a Bill now -,I"! Parliament providing for the appointment of va I vffi:r¡; a more complete isolation of I