The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

FARMERSM30I^ The^Belffian Government, recognising the termination of the cattle plague in Creat Britain, has permitted the importation and transport of meat, hides, &c., from England. FROM SAMPLES, BY A MAN OF MARK LANE.—A farmer in a certain parish in Essex, which shall be nameless, states that he can stand in one of his fields and look into seventeen tanns that will change tenants next Michaelmas that is, if any can be found to succeed the present occupiers.-A contrast unfavour- able to high farming under the existing state of the law is cited by a correspondent of The Sorth Bnt.sh Agricultural Two farms of about the same size and rental on a ducal estate 111 the south of Scotland, wore some time back let to two tenants. A. expended a large sum of money upon his occupation, even to the extent of consuming ten thousand pounds' worth of pur- chased food during the last five years of his lease. This he did, it is said with the encouragement of his landlord, whe, in a public speech to his tenantry, approved of an improving farmer, and treating them (the tenantry) like his own children, said, as long as they behaved, they would sit comfortably under his rale and precept." At the conclusion af A.'s lease his re- ward for trusting in the generosity and honour of his landlord was the offer of a new lease at an advance of £ 250 a year, or ouittance with the sacrifice of all his invested capital. B., not desiring to be thus treated as one of the family, was careful to take out what life had put into the farm before his lease termi- nated. The consequence was that his farm was re-let at £150 a year less than A.'s, only about three months previotisly and a considerable sum is to be spent by the landlord on new build- ings. Verb. sap. sat.—Mark Lane Express.

THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE. The announcement in the daily papers that the Colorado Potato Beetle has been found in full force in some fields near Cologne is unfortunately too likely to be true. It is not long since we heard of its introduction into nermany by means of a vessel „ trading between the United State# and Bremen so. that its appearance near Cologne is nothing "*a|; *M?„,have been expected and its presence in our own potato fieldsmay as- suredly be expected to be announced at any time It behoves nnf .tn (rrnw-pr? then to be on the look-out, and to take such measures as may be deemed most desirable. A\ e have from time S time adverted to this new pest, having derived almost all our LfnmnHnn ™ the subject from the writings of Mr. C. V. Riley, the State Entomologist of Missouri, who has done excellent ser- vice alike to Science and to practical cultivation, by the ex- haustive accounts he has published concerning the nature and habits of this and other insect pests. Mr. Riley's papers are to be found in the annual reports on the noxious, beneficial, and other insects of the State of Missouri, reports which justify the ,in wisdom of our American friends in the establishment of such an office and the still greater wisdom exercised in the selection of a man to fill it. Unfortunately these reports are very acces- sible in this country. True, they may be founfl in some of the libraries, but the number who can thus avail themselves of Mr. Riley's information is but small. The beetle (Doryphora 10- lineata) is particularly objectionable while in the grub or larva stage it not only destroys the Potato haulms, but the juices of the perfect insect have, in some instances at least, proved to be of a venomous character. The ill effects, however, seem to be only produced when large quantities of the insect are crushed, or burnt, or scalded, when the vapours produce the symptoms of poisoning by an acrid or irritant substance. Fortnnately the Americans have discovered a remedy in the shape of Paris-green—"by means of intelligence and a little Paris-green," writes Mr. Riley, the American farmer is pretty much master of the Dorypliora. Now as the Paris-green is a preparation of arsenic (arsenite of copper) and consequently a most dangerous poison, it is evident that a considerable amount of intelligence and no slight degree of care must be used in the employment of this substance, and more especially so :n the kit- chen garden. Still, within the last few years we are told that millions of bushels of potatos have been raised, the leaves of which have been most thoroughly sprinkled with Paris-green without any injurious effect on the tuber, or to persons using pOtatos raised in this manner. The Paris-green requires to be well- mixed with from twenty to thirty parts of flour or water, accord- ing to the mode of use. The quantity which becomes incorpo- rated with the soil is too minute to be of consequence, inasmuch as the substance speedily undergoes decomposition, and becomes converted into an insoluble and harmless substance. The Paris- green could not well collect in sufficient quantities to be di- rectly deleterious to man in the field in any imaginable way, while its injury through the plant is out of the question, for the plant could not absorb enough without being killed. The idea that the earth is being sown with death by those who fight the Colorado potato beetle with this mineral may, therefore, be dismissed as a pure phantasmagoria." The most convenient method of using the Pans green is as follows -A tin can capable of holding about 8 gallons is made of a shape to rest. easily on the back of the labourer, as a knap- sack or Cassiobury fire-engine would do. To the lower end of the can are attached two india-rubber tubes, each terminating in a "sprinkler," like the rose of a watering-pot. There is a convenient lever at the bottom which presses the tubes and shuts off the outflow at will. When about to be used "two bucketfuls of water are first poured into the can, then three tablespoonfuls of good green well mixed with another half- bucketful of water, and strained through a funnel-shaped strainer, which prevents the larger particles of the green from getting into the can and clogging up the sprinklers. Five to eight a^res a day can be sprinkled by one man, and from 1 to 1J lb. of good green, according to the size of the plant, will suffice to the acre. The walking serves to keep the green well shaken, and the flow of liquid is regulated at will by a pressure of the fingers at the junction of the tubes with the metallic nozzles. It may not be amiss to suggest the absolute necessity of using the -can and other implements employed in distributing the Paris-green for no other purpose whatever, and to insist rigor- ously on thorough cleanliness on the part of the workman when his work is done. -Ga)-de)zers' Chronicle.

MARKET REPORTS. CORN AVERAGES, For the week ending June 30. The following are the quantities sold and the prices this year and last vear:- QUANTITIES SOLD. PRICES. This year. L:tst year. This year. Last year. Wheat 21,584 29,126 62s. 6d. 48s. lOd. Barley 550 459 33s. lid. 34s. 6d. Oats 1,032 770 28s. 9d. 28s. lid. Corn, &c. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. — There was to-day an improved demand lor wheat, at the extreme rates of Friday to an advance of id. V cental. Flour steadier, and in more request. Beans and peas unaltered. Indian corn was in moderate demand, at 24s. 3d. to 24s. 6d. V quarter. PRICES (thfs day). s. d. s. d. American lirhe-,it, zO cental of 100 lbs 10 9 to 12 3 English Flour P 280 Ibs 42 0 48 0 Foreign Barley, :¡¡J 60 lbs 3 0 3 6 English Oats,$45 lbs 3 9 4 6 Egyptian Beans,$480 lbs 30 6 31 6 Indian corn, American new white 26 0 26 6 mixed American 23 9 25 6 LONDON, WEDNESDAY.—The market was steady for both English and foreign wheat, at last prices. Flour quiet and un- altered. Oats firm, at late rates. Maize very cpiiet. Barley, beans, and peas without change. -Arrivals: British wheat, 270 quarters; Foreign wheat, 39,690 quarters; barley, 4,290 quar- ters; oats, 35,210 quarters; maize, 13,290 quarters; flour, 2,720 Racks. CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN AT MARK LANE. Shillings P qr. Wheat, new Essex and Kent (white) 60 to 65 Ditto ditto (red). 57 63 Wheat, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire (red) 56 60 Barley (Chevalier) 47 55 Oats, English feed 25 30 Beans (Mazagan) 30 34 Peas, white boilers (English). 36 40 (foreign) 39 40 25 29 Flour, best Town Households,$sack of 280 lbs., 49s. to 5 £ a— SHREWSBURY, SATURDAY. — At our market to-day the following were the quotations :— s. d. s. d. White WheLt, V 75 tbs 9 6 @10 0 Jted ditto • 9 0 9 6 Barley (malting), ¥ 3S quarts 0 0 0 0 Oats,$225 lbs 21 6- 24 0 Beans,$225 lbs. 21 ° "Malt,$imperial bushel 8 » y CHESTER, S YTURDAY.— At this market red wheat sold at 9s. 3d. to 9s. 6d. 1fJ bushel. There were few samples of oats or beans on offer. WELSHPOOL, MONDAY.—Wheat, 10s. 9d. to 10s. 6d. IR 80 n)s.; barley Og. Od. to Os. Od Vi 40 quarts; oats, 22s. 6d to 26s. Od ? haff' eg^s, 00 to 14 for a shilling; butter, 0s. Od. to Is. 3d. lb.; fowls 5s" Od. to 5s 6d.$couple; ducks, 6s. Od. to 7s. 0d.$ couple; geese, Os. Od to OOs. Od. each.; turkeys, 00s. Od. to 00s. Od. each. NEWTOWN TUESDAY (July 3).-Wheat, Os. Od. to Os. Od. 33 bushel; barley, 0s. Od. to Os. Od.; oats, 00s. to 00s V btg; eggs, 00 to 14 for a shilling; butter, Is. 2d. to Is. g(l. V tb.; fowls, 4s. 6d to 5s. 6d. IR couple; ducks, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. ? couple; geese, Os. Od. to 0s. Od. each; turkeys, Os. Od. to Os. Od. each; potatoes, € lbs. for sixpence; .beef, 7d. to 9(1. :@ tb.; mutton, 9d. to 10^-d.; veal, 7d. to 8d.; pork, n-d. to gid. OSWESTRY, WEDNESDAY (July 4).-The following were the Quotations: Wheat 9s. 6d. to 9s. gd. P l,ushel; barley (malt- ia<r) Os. Od. toOs. 0d.; oats, 4s. 3d. to 4s 9d.: butter, Is. 2d. to 13° 3d.$eggs, 0 to 14 for a shilling; fowls, 3s. Od. to 4s. Od. 59 coiiple; ducks, 0s. Od. to 4s. 6d.$couple; geese, 0s. Od. to Os Od. eftch', turkeys, 00s. Od. to 00s. Od. each; potatoes, 0 lbs. to 7 8is for sixpence Cattle. ■\jrFTROPOTiITAN, MONDAY.—The cattle trade ruled very at a reduction of 2d. to 4d.$stone on all classes with the exception of choice fresh grass-fed be^ts, neat quarters of which are reported to have changed hands at 6.->. r(3 stone, but this is A fair demand for lambs. Veal and pork met a very >,iow sale Prices; — Beef, 4s. 6d. to 5s. lOd.; mutton 5s. 9d. Ito 6s 8d veal, 5s. Od. to 6s. 2d.; pork, 4s. Od. to 5s Oil., :• °'1' 0d. The stock on offer consisted of ,3'' sheep, 40 calves, and 30 pigs; included in which were 970 foreign beasts and 180 sheep. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.-There was about an average supply of stock on offer, which consisted of 1,527 beasts and 9,824 sheep and lambs, included in which were 400 foreign and American cattle of very good quality. Prices were in sellers' favour. The demand was rather brisk, the cold morning being in favour of the market. I Country buyers were more numerous. —Prices Best beasts, 8id. to 9d.; second ditto, 7d. to Sid.; sheep, 9d. to 10Jd.; lambs, 9d. to 10 £ d. SHREWSBURY, TUESDAY. There was but a small show of stock to-day, and only a moderate attendance, doubtless con- sequent upon harvest operations. Store cattle in good demand, and a brisk trade for fat stock at the following quotations :— Bpef prime quality, 9d.$lb. inferior ditto. 8d.; mutton, 9d. to mid'" lamb, 10d. to lid.; veal, 7d. to 8d. Pork pigs cheaper. „ Vv and both mutton and lamb met a slow trade, at slio-htly easier. Fat pigs a limited number; trade BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY. We were scantily supplied with which came to hand in good saleable condition. The beef nrooressed slowly. Sheep and lambs a fair supply, both in Quality5and numbers. Fat pigs a moderate suppiy._Prices -7id to 9d$If- mutton, 8d. to !H<1.; lamb, 8kl. to lO.Vd.; bacon pigs 8s. Od. to 10s. 3d # score; porket ditto, 10s. 6(1. to N«AFFORD TUESDAY .— The supply of beasts at market was about the same as last week, but the quality was very indiffer- Tien 11 v eood beef was exceedingly scarce, and commanded e.nt- Iieallj go glow trade was done in secondary and high prices. A ra t 2 000 foreign beasts were shown, in- vnferior animals. Spanish, the best of which fully C }^iJVtbtl8Sheer) met with a brisk demand, prime sorts made 9(1.$tt>- Sh P in some instances fetched as much realizing 10M. *>■ done in calves, at late rates.- BeefNid to 9id V mutton, Sld. to 10Jd; lamb, 1M. to lid.; veal, 7d. to 8.U1. Miscellaneous. t,cu IUVRTP4N PROVISIONS, LIVERPOOL, FRI- IRISH AND .Vfrom the States being larger than D YV.—butter The ar holders anxious sellers, the value the deimmd carries off, continues dull, and without has declined10s. 4 cwtBac°" 11 has continued to decline Beel ami poi-k are .low, and WORCESTER HOP, SATUROAY.—MEBS^PIERCY^LONG^TTOM, and Faram, in their weekly report, say Hie rei-. at market to-day confirm our own observations, » has made progress this week and is now t'ew'hiii-, the t p. > poles, and the usual midsummer shoots showing. H there may be seen a few flies that would be snfRcient_ to (k m s- chief with weather suitable for a blight, but in .'he mterests or all concerned we hope to have an average crop. Business is Jimitpd to immediate requirements. I LIVERPOOL WOOL, FPIDAY.-S-AleS tO a moderate extent in Peru, Mogadore, River Plate, and Lima, have been effeocted this week, at fully late current rates. There have also been sold 63 hags mohair at 2s. 10d., and about 1,2<50 bales alpaca at lfltd. to 23d. TAM as well as 50 bales River Plate sheepskins at pre- vious values.—The current quotations areEast India, white fid. to 14d. P 11).; vellow, 4d. to I2d.; gray, &c., 2id. to 9Jd.; washed Peruvian, lod. to 17d.; washed River Plate, lOd. to l4d.; unwashed River Plate, 5d. to M.; washed Morocco, 8A to 13d.; unwashed Morocco, 5d to "Id. Egyptian white, 8d to 14W.; Oporto fleece, 12id. to 131d.; mohair, 2s. gd. to 2s. 1M.; alpaca. Is. lid. WOLVERHAMPTON HIDE, SKIN, AND FAT, SATUR- DAY Hides, 95 lb. aRd upwards, 5Jd. 19 lb.; 85 to-31, 5jd.; f5 to 84 43d.; 65 to 74, 3Jd.; 56 to 64, 3|d.; 55 and linger, 3d.; Cows, 3d', to 3'd.bulls, 2id.; flawed and irregular, ?kl.; kips, Od. to 3!d. Horse hides, Os. Od. to 12s. 6d. each. Calf, 17 t). and upwards, 5d.; 12 to 16, (id.; 9 to 11, 6d.; lli:ht, -)d.; flawed and irregular, 4d. Wools, A-l, OOs. ad.; A, lis. 0d.; B, Os. od. each. Pelts, A, 5s. lid.; B, Is. 3d. each. Lambs, A, As. 5d.; B, 2s. 4d. each. Fat, 2Jd. to 2d 11 tt..—Jxo. S. D'ARCY, Broker, Cleveland-street. LEATHER.— LF.ADEXHALL, TUESDAY. 111. s. d. s. cl. Hides, crep, 28 lbs. to 40 lhs. I I t., 1 5 Ditto, 40 llis. to 60 lbs. 1 4 ] 9 English butts, 14 Its. to 24 lbs 1 3 2 5 Ditto, 25 lbs. to 36 lbs 1 6 2 10 Foreign butts, 16 lbs. to 50 lbs 1 1 2 3 Crop bellies 0 s 1 1 Shoulders 1 Dressing hides, common 1 1 6 Ditto, shaved 1 1 8 Calfskins 1 4 2 7 LIVERPOOL PRODUCE, WEDNESDAY—-Sugar in improved demand. Rum dull. Rice: No sales; tone steady. Nitrate of soda 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. 19 cwt. Lard dull. Olive oil in moderate request. Linseed oil 27s. t'd. to 2Ss. cwt. Rape oil 40s. to 40s. 6d. for refined Stettin. Cottonseed oil, Liverpool rrftned, firm at 33f! Tallow stet(ly; 40s. 6d. to 41s. for North American. Palm oil quiet. Rosin, common, 5s. zp cwt. Ashes, pots, 22s. 9d. to 23s. V cwt. Spirits of turpentine 24s. 6d. Petroleum Hid. to 12d. 11 gallon. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.-LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. Hav,$20 lbs. s. d. s d.$ton. Old 1 1 @1 3 s. «l. s. d New 0 0 0 0 Carrots 0 0@0 0 Straw- Turnips 0 0 0 0 Wheat. 0 10=V 0 m Mangel Wurzel.. 0 0 0 0 Oat 0 9i o lo., Manure 4 6 7 0 Barley 0 S 0 1) Grass, V 20 lbs 0 2-1 0 4

Trade Intelligence. WOLVERHAMPTON IRON TRADE.—WEDNESDAY. The Lilleshall Iron Company decline to sell their hot-blast all- mine pigs under £ 4 5s. ton, and discourage buyers' expecta- tions of a reduction at the quarterly meetings next week. Staffordshire all-mine pigs are quoted at from e4 7s. Cd. to £ 4 9s. 6d. Some hematite pigs which have been quoted at 75s. might have been got at 73s. 9d. Buyers, however, held off, expecting to place their orders next week at 72s. 6d. Finished iron prices are no weaker of the two they are a shade stronger upon the minimum. There is a tendency towards strength in the price of coal for irenmaking. THE CROPS AND THE CORN TRADE. The Marlc-Lanc Express saysReports of the growing wheat are, generally speaking, favourable, but an early harvest seems improbable, in spite of the improved weather, considering that the plant has come into ear ten days later than the average time. From the Northern and Midland counties it is reported that, although the sunshine has done much to promote the de- velopment of the cereal crops, there are still some districts where the bad effects of the severe spring are to be plainly seen in the thinness and spiry character of the wheat plant. Advices as to the appearance of the spring corn are contradictory, but on the whole the prospect of a satisfactory yield of barley and oats is more than dubious. It appears probable that the harvest of 1877 will not prove so disappointing as that of 1876, so far as yield is concerned, but it is very doubtful whether it will be equally satisfactory in point of quality. The quantity of English wheat remaining in farmers' hands is very trifling, and the firmer tone which has characterized the trade has further strengthened hol(ters' views. A fairly brisk demand has been experienced off stands, at an improvement of Is. V quarter on the week.

IM^RIAI^PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS-THURSDAY The Royal Royal Assent having been given by Commission to a number of Bills, Earl Beauchamp moved the second reading of the Prisons Bill. Having stated that 115 prisons were dealt with by the Bill, the noble lord said its objects were to intro- duce uniformity of discipline, to transfer the costs of mainten- ance from the local rates to the public purse, and to give the Secretary of State a controlling power over the management of prisons. He quoted figures to show the saving that would be effected by the proposed change —The Earl of Kimberley, while admitting defects in the present prison system, thought that a remedy might be found without placing the management in the hands of the central authority.—The debate was continued by Lord Hardinge, the Earl of Morley, Lord Egerton, and the Bill was read a second time. HOUSE OF COMMONS—THURSDAY. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to Mr. Whalley, said he did not see what steps the Government could take against the clergy who recognized the doctrines disclosed in The Priest in Absolution." He expressed an opinion that the best protection against any mischief arising from the practices referred to was the fact that they had been exposed and made a matter of notoriety. The order for the second reading of the Maritime Contracts Bill was discharged—another "innocent" slaughtered, for which the Chancellor of the Exchequer ex- presled his regret. A question having been asked as to the appearance of the Colorado beetle in a potato field at Cologne, Lord Sandon said the Foreign Office were informed that the field had been burned with sawdust and petroleum, but since then some of the beetles had been seen on the wing. He stated that the Privy Council had issued most stringent orders for the careful inspection of all potatoes imported into this country from America.—On the motion for going into Supply, Mr. Sampson Lloyd calletlattention to the injustice and incon- venience of compelling private individuals to undertake the collection of income tax, inhabited house duty, and land tax, and moved a resolution to the effect that the practice was un- just and inexpedient, and requesting her Majesty's Government to make provision for its discontinuance.—Mr. Muntz seconded the motion, suggesting that the collectors of poor rates should have the duty imposed upon them, they receiving the emolu- ments allowed for its discharge. -The Chancellor of, the Ex- chequer admitted the inconvenience arising from the present practice, and said he was prepared to make such a change as would meet the difficulty.-fr. Lowe afterwards called atten- tion to the subject of the power of the Crown with respect to the removal of the Indian judges.—Dr. Playfair called attention to the new regulations in regard to candidates for the Indian Civil Service, arguing that they failed to fulfil the conditions laid down-" that the regulations would deal fairly by all parts of the kingdom and all places or liberal education"—inasmuch as they practically excluded the Scotch Universities, the Queen's Colleges in Ireland, and similar institutions in London and the provinces, from participation in the preparation of candidates, either before or after competition.—Lord G. Hamil- ton expressed his belief that the regulations would work beneficially, and denied that they would exclude either Irish- men or Scotchmen from the Indian Civil Service.—The discus- sion was continued by other members, and then abandoned. HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. Lord Stanley of Alderley asked if instructions had been given to Colonel Wellesley, or to other British officers holding similar appointments, to report any excesses committed by the Russian ariny.—Lord Derby said no such special instructions had been given, as it was well understood that a military attache employed 'with a foreign army would send reports of such events as would be interesting to his own Government.—The Game Laws (Scotland) Bill was read a third time and passed, and the Trade Marks Bill was read a second time. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY After some preliminary business had been disposed of, Mr. Trevelyan moved his resolutions affirming that, in the opinion of this House, it would be desirable to adopt a uniform Parlia- mentary franchise for borough and county constituencies, and to so re-distribute political power as to obtain a more complete representation of the opinion of the electoral body. Mr. Trevelyan argued that, inasmuch as the county householder contributes his share to the taxation, was liable to enlistment, was educated with or without the conscience clause, and buried with or without religious rites, he had a claim to the right that was now demanded for him—namely, a vote for a Parliamentary representative. The hon. member gave several illustrations of the way in which the line was drawn between borough and county, and asserted that in the House of Commons three-fifths represented only two-fifths of the people, while the principle of representation going hand-in-hand with taxation was entirely ignored.—Sir C. Dilke, speaking in support of the second part of the resolution, said the anomalies of representation were in- creasing every year.—Mr. Smollet strongly opposed the motion. —Mr. Stansfeld supported it, and said he had always been in favour of household suffrage.—The debate was continued by Mr. Goldney, Lord E. Fiztmaurice, and others, and at one time an ineffectual attempt was made to count the House.—fln a division the motion was rejected by 56, the numbers being—For 220; against, 276. HOUSE OF LORDS. NIONDAY. During a sitting of forty minutes's duration, the Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act Amendment Bill and the Trade Marks Bill passed through committee, the Public Works Loan Bill was read a third time, and the Irish Constabulary Bill a second time. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in replying to Mr. Morley, said that he was not prepared, in the present state of public business, to say what course Government would take with re- ference to the Bankruptcy Bill. Mr. Sliaw-Lefevre gave notice for Thursday of a question whether the First Lord of the Ad- miralty would postpone the sale of the next presentation to cer- tain livings in Northumberland, inasmuch as the Home Secre- tary had announced that Government would bring in a Bill de- claring such sales illegal. Mr. Cross denied that he had said he would bring in each a measure. On the motion for going into committee of supply, the expediency of organizing corps of mounted riflemen, and the redress of alleged grievances of militia surgeons and of the medical department of the army were brought under the notice of the House. Mr. Hardy said that prac- tical experience had shown it was very difficult to secure the re- quisite number of efficients in mounted rifle corps. With re- gard to the other two points, he contended that every effort had been made to put army medical officers on a satisfactary foot- ing, while he denied that there was any real grievance in the course which had been adopted with reference to militia sur- geons. Mr. Boord then moved a resolution declaring that it was expedient that those who had been debarred from partici- pation in the benefits of the Superannuation Act of 1853 by the War Office circulars of 1861 should be restored to the position they would have occupied had those circulars never been issued. This was negatived without a division, and the House went into committee on the Army Estimates. HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. The House met at five o'clock. Replying to Earl Granville, the Earl of Derby said it was the fact, as had been stated in the newspapers, that orders had been given for the British fleet to leave The Piraeus, where it had been stationed, to return to Besika Bay.-Tlie second reading of the Universities of Oxfoid and Cambridge Bill was then moved by the Marquis of Salisbury, who explained that it was not essentially different from the Oxford Bill of last year.—Lord Colchester moved as an amend- ment, that legislation with reference to the Universities would be premature, unless preceded by an inquiry into the working of the changes brought about by the legislation of 1854 and 1856.—Lord Carlingford expressed general approval of the measure, which he looked upon as better considered than that of last year. He hoped, however, that their Lordships would have an opportunity of expressing an opinion in regard to Clerical Fellowships.—The Duke of Devonshire, the Earl of Camperdown, and Lord Midleton also spoke favourably of the Bill, regarding it as an improvement upon last year's measure.— and after a brief reply from the Iarquis of Salisbury, the amend- ment was negatived, and the Bill was read a second time.—Re- plying to the Earl of Harrowby, the Earl of Derby said the boundary line between Turkey and Persia had never been laid down, but the negotiations were only suspended, not broken off, and the British Government would lose no available opera- tions to prevent the outbreak of war between those two Powers. Their lordships rose at five minutes to seven o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY. The Speaker took the chair at a quarter past two o'clock. Mr. Blake gave notice of his intention to ask Mr. P.irnell whether he had used certain words reported in the Times and paili/ Telegraph as having been uttered by him at a meeting held in London on the 21st April last relative to, and threaten ing the prolongation of the obstructive conduct of himself and Mr. Biggar. Being told by the Speaker that the question could not, consistently with the rules of the House, be put, Mr. Blake gave notice that at the earliest opportunity he would call attention to the subject as one affecting the privileges of the House.—Mr. E. Jenkins gave notice that on that day month he would call attention to recent despatches between the English ) and Russian Governments, and move a resolution.—In re- ply to Mr. W. E. Forster, tho ClianceEor of the Ex- chequer said it was true that the British Fleet, which had left the Pirceus, had been ordered to Besika Bay.— The adjourned debate on going into committee on the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Snnolay (Ireland) Bill was resumed by Mr. R. Smith, who complained strongly (if ihe opposition which was maintained against the Bill, although its principles had been ratified by a large majority of the House.—Mr. E. COIHKS opposed the Bill, which was supported by Mr. Goulding, :'f. Sullivan and Ir. A. Morf. Sir S. Mo eve and Mr. (rllanlt- nessey intimated that they would oppose the further progress of the measure. The Bill was further opposed by Sir P. O'Brien and Ite. O'Leary, who spf-ke for upwavls of an k,m. Mr. Kirk, and Mor. O'Sullivan, and was by Mr. B. Wbitv,orth. At ten minutes to seven, whilst Mr. Wullival1 was still speak- ing, the discussion was adjonrnerL--1he sitting was suspended at seven o'clock.—The House resumed at nine o'clock. After an ineffectual attempt to count it out, Percy moved a resolu- tion ia iavour of an enquiry into the system of vaccination, with the view of ascertaining whether it could not be conducted more satisfactorily than at present.—Mr. Green seconded.—Mr. Pease moved an addition to the motion in favour of further enquiry into the accumulation of penattiifs.—Mr. James seconded the amendment.—The motion was opposed by Sir F. Lawrence, and supported by Mr. Hopwood.—Mr. Sclater Booth said that no case had been made out for the motion, for the results of vacci- nation on the mortality and baneful effects of small-pox were incontestable. He trusted the Honse would not endorse the views of the Anti-Vaccination Society, but leave the cases of accumulated penalties to be dealt with on their merits by the central authorities.—Mr. Former was in favour of compulsory vaccination, but thought that the law could be vindicated without the oppressive system <of accumulated penalties, as was formerly the case in England, and was now so in Scotland and Ireland"—Earl Percy accepted the amendment.—On a division the motion itself was rejected by 106 to fjf;The House was counted out at 1.30. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. Mr. O'Sullivan moved the second reading of the Union Justices (Ireland) Bill, the object of which is to transfer from the Lord Lieutenant to the ratepayers the power of nominating ODe magistrate in each union.-Ir. Beresfonl moved that the Bill should be read a second time that day thres months. At the close of the debate the House divided, and the numbers were —For the second reading, 36; against, 178. The Bill was there- fore lost.— Mr. W. Egerton moved the second reading of the Public Worship Facilities Bill, which provides that where there was insufficient accommodation the Bishop may rafter enquiry, authorize the erection of a new church, upon a guarantee as to the provision of the requisite funds, and on the incumbent fail- ing, after three months' notice, to provide the required accom- modation.—Mr. "Assheton moved the previous question, which was negatived, by 94 votes to 78, and the Bill was read a second time.—Mr. J. Barclay was explaining the provisions of the Agricultural Tenants' Security for Improvements Bill, when the debate was suspended.—Two or three new Bills were introduced, awl some others were advanced a stage.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE ASSIZES. These assizes were opened at the Public-rooms, New- town, for the trial of prisoners, at ten o'clock on Tuesday morning, July 3, before the Rt. Hon. Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Knight, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Division. His Lordship arrived in Newtown by the 4 15 p.m., train on the afternoon of the previous day, and he was met by Mr. William Walton, acting high sheriff, the Rev. Mr. Evans, Abergele, chaplain, Mr. G. D.. Harrison, deputy sheriff, the chief constable, and a retinue of policemen. His Lordship opened commission at half-past four o'clock, and attended divine service in the parish church, when the sermon was preached by the Sheriff's Chaplain. THE GRAND JURY. Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, ESi., M.P. (foreman), John Robinson Jones, Esq., Brithdir Hall, Robert Davies Pryce, Esq., Cyfronydd, John Pryce Davies, Esq., Fron- felin, William Henry Adams, Esq., Plas Llvssin, Richard Edward Jones, Esq., Cefn Bryntalch, Major William Corbett, Vaynor Park, Colonel John Hey ward Hey ward, Crosswood, Captain Offley Malcolm Crewe-Read, Plas- dinam, Edward Hilton, Esq., Rhiwkiriarth, Thomas William Hare, Esq., Berthddu, Sir Thomas Gibbons Frost, Knight, Dolcossllwyn, Richard Woosnam, Esq., Llanidloes, John Campbell, Esq., Gwernydd, Offley John Crewe-Read, Llandinam Hall, Arthur Charles Humphreys Owen, Esq., Glansevern, Christopher John Naylor, Esq., Brynllywarch, William Henry WJiitaker, Esq., Penybryn, Joseph Henry Blytlie, Esq., Hendidley, Samuel Powell, Esq., Welshpool, CommodorelGriffith Jenkins, Garth. After the usual proclamation, His LORDSHIP, in charging the Crand Jury, said he was proud to congratulate them upon the state of the calen- dar, considering that the county consisted, he supposed, of some 50,000 inhabitants. Looking at the number and nature of the offences, it was really a subject for congrat- ulation. They were neither in number nor in character such as to cause apprehension for the state of the county. At the same time, although he would not, under ordinary circumstances, trouble the Grand Jury with any observa- tions, but dimply dismiss them to proceed to discharge the duties imposed upon them, he must detain them for a few minutes to make a few remarks. He had ob- served that with the exception of the first of the nine or ten cases set down for trial, which was for forging, or uttering certain forged receipts with intent to defraud certain persons of certain susof money, they were all com- mitted to the Quarter Sessions, or intended to be tried at the Quarter Sessions. He had thought that the same custom prevailed in Montgomeryshire as he understood prevailed in the neighbouring county of Chester. He had desired that those offences and persons should be excluded from the calendar, intending that they should be tried before the Court of Quarter Sessions, and not at the As- size, but upon consideration he had come to the conclusion to clear the gaol, and leave no person untried, under whatever circumstances he might have been com- mitted. Under those circumstances the Grand Jury would have to consider the bills laid before them belonging to the Court of Quarter Sessions. This was a state of things which ought not to be. The judges of assizes had very onerous duties to perform without having the cases committed to the Quarter Sessions imposed upon them. He hoped that the magis- trates of the county would be good enough to remember that great changes had taken place in the administration of justice in the country. One defect had been that the assizes throughout the kingdom were appointed to be held, -and the circuits and attendances of the Judge were regulated under circumstances which rendered it necessary that the Assizes should begin much earlier than at former times. It had pleased the legislature so entirely to change, which he hoped would prove for the better, the adminis- tration of justice, that under the Judicature Act it had become necessary to hold the ci "cuits at an earlier period in order that the whole business of assize all over the country might be closed by the 8th August. It had been as much as a week, and in some parts of the kingdom a fortnight, earlier than pre- viously. Under these circumstances that state of things had arisen in Montgomeryshire, and those persons who had been committed to the Quarter Sessions appeared in the calendar of the assizes occupying the time of the judges, who ought not to be so occupied. This could be prevented for the future if the magistrates of the county appointed an adjourned 8essions just previomdy to the assizes. Looking at the high character which the magis- trates had obtained for the faithful discharge of their duties, he thought they should have some little sympathy with the judges. Seeing also that the Legislature had in ts wisdom or unwisdom reduced the common law judges from eighteen to fifteen, by reason of those changes they were charged with larger and more burdensome labours than had ever been known in the history of this country. Should they be burdened with the business of the sessions in their respective circuits with the reduction of the number of judges, night itself would not be enjoyed.. He happened to be the oldest member on the Bench, and he might say for himself he was blessed with a good consti- tution, but in consequence of the pressure of business in London connected with the administration of justice, and with the exception of the two vacations, Christmas and Easter, he had not had one single day of leisure to attend to private business or even health, and therefore it was for the magistrates of the county to contrive to reduce the labour of the judges by the method he had suggested. The Grand Jury were then dismissed to their duties. NISI PRIUS COURT. CLAIM FOR LOSS OF A HORSE. GRIFFITH LEWIS V. JONATHAN EDWARDS. Mr. Morgan Lloyd, Q.C., and Mr. Ignatius Williams, instructed by Mr. Chaudler, of Shrewsbury, were for the plaintiff, and Mr. Higgins and Mr. Grosvenor, instructed by Messrs. Richards and Son, Llangollen, [were for the defendant. From Mr. Morgan Lloyd's opening statements, it appeared that plaintiff lived at Trefnanney farm, and the defendant lived at the adjoining farm of the Mount. The plaintiff had a valuable mare, which he valued as a brood mare at JB120 or £150. It was alleged that the mare was kicked by an animal belonging to the defend- ant, and she died in consequence of the injuries received, and the plaintiff now songht to recover £120 damages. Griffith Lewis, the plaintiff, said the plaintiff occupied the adjoining farm of the Mount. On the 1st October last some of his horses were in the field, and they were separated from defendant's field by a ditch and hedge. It was a bad hedge, with three er four gaps in it that any animal could go through. The hedge had been in that state for some months. Inconsequence of the state of the fences he called defendant's attention to it nine days after he took possession in May previously. Witness had been in his farm nine years. On going into the field where his horses were he saw two of defendant's horses. On seeing the latter he attempted to drive them out, when one of them, a grey mare, galloped up, and commenced kicking his mare. He then succeeded in driving defendant's horses out of the field, and then returned to look after his own mare, and to attend to her injuries. He afterwards fetched the defendant to look at the injuries, and the de- fendant said it was an old wound. He took the mare home, fomented the wound, and sent for the local farrier. He went for a veterinary surgeon from Oswestry, and also for another one. She was a valuable brood mare, and he had sold a foal from her two years old for £180. By Mr. Higgins—I told defendant I saw his mare kick my mare. There was a little blood on the wound, but no scab. Defendant never complained to me about my bull getting into his field. I have seen my bull in defendant's field many times. By Morgan Lloyd—The wound was on the back of the hock, and was not much to look at, but on closer inspec- tion it was clear that the tendons were cut through. On the Wednesday following the joint oil began to run. William Jones said he was last autumn a waggoner in the employ of the plaintiff. He remembered the mare being hurt. He then attended to plaintiff's horses. There were four horses, including the mare. When they were turned out that morning she was quite well, and had no wound on her hock. His master afterwards brought her home, and she was then hurt. There were six or seven gaps large enough for horses or cattle to pass through. Heard his master speak to the defendant about the bad state of the fences about a week before the occurrence. The bull was a quiet bull. Thomas J ones said he was a waggoner in the employ of the plaintiff in October last, and he noticed tlie mare was all right between one and two o'clock on the day of the accident. Richard Lewis, son of the plaintiff, said he remembered the Sunday on which the mare was kicked she was quite well before that. He knew of the gaps in the fence, and had been sent with a message to the defendant to tell him to make the fence up. He had taken the messages re- spectedly. r John William Drury, farmer, said that he lived in the neighbourhood of plaintiff and defendant. He had seen he mare about a fortnight hefore he was kicked, and she was then quite well. She was a good worker, and was a very valuable ma-re for breeding. The fence in question was in question was in such a state that anything could pass through it. It belonged to the defendant, In Xo- vember witness saw defendant 'and asked him what com- pensation he was going to offer Mr. Lewis, when defend- ant replied, "Do yoi: think I am a fool ?'" and turned away. Cross-examined—If lie had had to Imy the mare, he would not have thought £80 too much for her. Henry Wilde said his father was tenant of the Mount Farm for fifty years. Witness was forty-two years of age, and had lived on the farm thirty-eight years. Witness always repaired the fences upon the farm. Damiiel Jones and James Evans, who had been in plain- tiff's employ, were called to speak as to the fences, and the latter said the grey mare of the defendant's wae a vicious animal, and would kick any hJrse but those she was accustomed to work with. Mr. T. Roberts, M.R.C.V.S., Oswestry, said he keld several appointments. He was sent for by the plaintiff to see the mare on the 3rd Oct. The back tendons vere severed to such an extent that he at -once told Lewie that it would be useless for him to attendhe mare again The injury appeared to be the result of a kick. The mare was a grand one to breed from, and in the market she was worth £80. As a brood mare she would be worth more. John Jones, farrier, said he was called to attend to the mare on Thursday, the 3rd October. The tendons were partly severed and protruded. He attended the mare from October 3 to October 28. He did all he could to cure the mare. It was such a wound as would have been I caused by a kick. He had known the mare for six years. He valued her at about £75, but as a brood mare she .might be wor:h S150 to her owner. She was eight years old, and might have lii ed twenty years longer. William Williams, farrier, said tie attended the mare from the 25th October until she died on the 5th November. From all appearances the injury was from a kick. From her produce he would have valued her at JS200 if she had feeen his property. This was the case for the plaintiff. Mr. Higgins opened the case for the defendant, and called the following evidence. Jonathan Edwards, the defendant, said he lived at the Mount, Sarney4 a farm of 1GO acres. It adjoined the plaintiff's farm. He recollected taming his two mares out on Sunday, Oct. 1st, about four o'clock in the after- noon. They were turned into a field leading into that in which the accident liappened. Some ten minutes after, when witness had returned to his house, plaintiff ame to the house. Plaintiff asked him to come down to the field to see one of his horses, which had been kicked. He went to the field and saw that the aiare was lame. He examined her and found dry blood upon the two hind legs. He saw the wound and a dry scab upon it. Wit- ness said to plaintiff This is not my mare's work. Come and look, this has been done some hours ago." Plaintiff took the mare to the houee Plaintiff never said on that occasion that he had seen tke defendant's mare kick her. Never heard that plaintiff saw the kick until that momeait. The mare was hooded. The fences had been repeatedly repaired by a. man named Summerfield. The fence between the two fields, into which the different horses were turned, had been repaired manytimes, he might say thirty. He had seen thebull in his 1 field. He had been injjthe habit of turning seventeen cows into the fields, and the plaintiff's bull covered them. He complained of this, as by an agreement with his landlord he was to have the use of a. more valuable bull. The bull also covered a number of heifers which had calves, some of which died, and some of the heifers had died. He had also been prevented from feeding a number of cattle. The grey mare never kicked other animals either in the field or the stable. In his opinion the plaintiff's mare was not worth £30, By Mr. Morgan Lloyd—He had that morning put the horses in the stable about half-past six to feed. Thev were turned out at four o'clock. He usually took them up in the warmth of the day. When they got to the field plaintiff told him his mare had kicked the other; that was why he said it was not the work of his mare. A Mr. Drury had since come to him and asked him to settle the thing by agreeing to pay something as compensation. His landlord had advised him to refer the matter to two neighbouring farmers to settle. He had repaired the fence he thought every month since he had been at the Mount. Summerfield had done the work. He denied the evidence of the witnesses on the other side. He had been tried in the Welshpool court before a gentleman who wore a wig. He was charged with the manslaughter of William Jones. Re-examined by Mr. Higgins—He was acquitted by the jury after a full investigation. The repairs to the fence were in consequence of the damage done by plain- tiff's bull. Richard Summerfield, the brother-in-law of the defend- ant, said he had been repairing the fence all the summer and autumn. He had repaired it strongly just before the plaintiff's mare was kicked. Sarah Edwards, the wife of the defendant, said she remembered the plaintiff coming to the house on the 1st October. She did not hear the conversation. The I plaintiffs bull was continually in her husband's field from May on during the year. He came through the fence. Richard Jones, defendant's landlord, said plaintiff had never been to him to complain about defendant's hedges. He had seen the hedge between the plaintiff's and de- fendant's fields, and in his opinion it was always kept in such a state as would render it safe for horses. He had not heard plaintiff say anything about having seen de- fendant's mare kick his mare. William Edwards. son of the defendant, said he had turned plaintiff s bull off his father's field repeatedly once and twice in the day. Mr* Higgins summed up the case for the defendant, and Mr. Morgan Lloyd replied on the whole case. His Lordship then carefully summed up, and the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £80. fr. Higgins applied for time to meet the demand, and his Lordship said he would stay execution for a week. Judgment for plaintiff for £80 accordingly. CROWN COURT. STEALING CLOTH AT MACHYNLLETH. William Brown (63), shoemaker, was indicted on the charge of having, at Machynlleth, on the 12th April, stolen a piece of cloth of the value of 12s., the property of Anthony Gallagher. Mr. Coxon prosecuted. Anthony Gallagher said he watf a painter and glazier, and lived at Dolgelley. He stayed at Machynlleth in April last in the house of Jane Charles, where the pris- oner also lodged. While there he lost two yards of blue pilot cloth, for which he had given 12s. He next saw it in the hands of P.C, Hamer. The cloth produced was the piece in question. Jane Charles, keeper of a lodging house fin Machyn- lleth, who gave her evidence in Welsh, said Gallagher and Brown lodged at her house in April last. The cloth had been in her house a week. On the 12th April Galla- gher brought the cloth down and asked withess to roll it up, which she did, in brown paper, and placed it in the kitchen. She heard the door open, and saw Brown walk- ing away with the parcel. He returned in about twenty minutes, and in reply to a question told witness he had sold it for 7s. She afterwards saw Gallagher on the sub- ject. John Rees, watchmaker, Machynlleth, said the prisoner brought the piece of cloth produced to his house on the 12th April, and witness bought it for 8s. Prisoner was then working for a shoemaker close by he said it was his own cloth. He afterwards gave the cloth to P.C. Hamer. P.C. Hamer proved apprehending the prisoner on the 13th April, near Newtown. Prisoner said he had had the cloth given him by Gallagher, and that he had sold it to John Rees. Gallagher (recalled) denied that he had given prisoner authority to sell the cloth. Prisoner, addressing the jury, stated that the cloth had been given to him to sell to Rees. His Lordship summed up, and the jury found the pris- oner guilty. He also pleaded guilty to a former conviction for felony at Welshpool in 1860. Sentenced to twelve calendar months, with hard labour. SECOND COURT. Before Mr. Morgan Lloyd, Q.C., Deputy Juge. STEALING A PURSE AT WELSHPOOL. Mary Gardner was indicted on the charge of having at Welshpool, on the 14th May, stolen a purse containing 7s., the property of Thomas Ingram, of Welshpool. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and she was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with hard labour. STEALING AN ASS AT LLANLLWCHAIARN. John Vaughan (59), hawker, was indicted on the charge of having at Llanllwchaiarn, onltlie 17th April, stolen one ass, the property of Thomas Roberts. Prosecutor proved losing the donkey, and his son went to look for it. The animal was afterwards found at Mr. Francis's, Llanwnog, to whom the prisoner had taken it with a view to his buying it, but it had ended in an ex- change for another Air. Francis had previously purchased from the prisoner. P.C. Pearson apprehended the prisoner. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he pleaded guilty to a previous conviction for felony at Ruthin in 1849. Sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment, with hard labour, and three years' police surveillance. BILL IGNORED. The Grand Jury threw out the bill charging Sarah Francis with having, at the parish of Llandyssul. on the 2nd March, unlawfully, and in the day time, broken into the house of William Roberts with intent to commit a felony therein. PLEADED GriLTY. William Jones (33), letter carrier, to having, at Berriew, on the 4th February, 1876, uttered a forged acquittance and receipt for 4s. Id., with intent thereby to defraud one Mary Morgan. Also at Bettws, on the 31st March, 1876, to uttering, well knowing the same to be forged, an ac- quittance or receipt for 6s., with intent to defraud one Clementina Hamer. Also to having, at Newtown, on the 20th February, 1877, stolen 16s. 2d. out of a letter, the property of the Postmaster-General. James H. Wilson (43), watchmaker, to having, at Llanidloes, on the 30th April, stolen a silver watch, a pair of spectacles, and watchmaker's eyeglass, the property of William Williams. John Davies, to having, at Montgomery, on 4th May, stolen ten hair combs, five blacklead brushes, one pair of scales, three boxes of matches, one packet of blacking, six packets of pins, and five dozen boot laces, the property of William Jones. David Howells (57). labourer, to having, at Newtown, on the 5th June, stolen one brass candlestick, the pro- perty of Alfred Powell. Thomas Williams (21), labourer, to having, at Welsh- pool, on the 9th June, stolen from the person of David Edwards, one watch and chain and one knife. Ellen Hughes (65), hawker, to having, at Llanidloes, on the 31st March, 1874, stolen one shirt, the property of Edward Williams. Sentence on all the prisoners who pleaded guilty was deferred until the following morning.

j THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR THE PROCLAMATION TO THE BULGARIANS. The passage of the Danube by the Russians at Si.JII_- nitza has been followed immediately by the issue of a pro- clamation to the people of Bulgaria by the Emperor of Russia. The Czar promises the Christians that henceforth their lives, property, and honour will be safe under Bus- sian protection, while he-gives "a salutary wa,ruing to the Mussvilman inhabitants of the country. Their ".atro- cities cannot be forgotten, and though all are not to be held guilty for the crimes of a few, the real criminak are told that they will certainly not escape. St. Petersburg was decorated on Thtreday, June 28, when the news of the crossing of the Danube arriveii, and a thanksgiving service Waf held in the Cathedral. THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. The Turkish Parliament was prorogued on Thursday, June 28. No Imperial message was read, but the Presi- dent of the Chambei of Deputies in his closing remarks said it was possible that the Chamber might be summoned to assemble for an extraordinary cession to deliberate upon a satisfactory subject. It is thought (the telegram adds) that by this expression the President meant to allude to the possible conclusion of peace. MORE TURKISH ATROCITIES. A terrible scene is officially described as having been witnessed at Iakhin when the Russian troops entered that town. A mother and two daughters were found dead. Tiey had been outraged by the Turks, and strips of skin were cut from the armpits down to the abdomen, with which their hands had been tied together. A regular proces verbal has been officially drawn up stating the above particulars.—Times. THE BOMBARDMENT OF RUSTCHUK. It Waf; reported at Vienna, according to the Times correspondent, at Bucharest, that tke Rus- sian commissariat have telegraphed to hurry up provisions and supplies for the army, repre- senting the country on the other side of the Daaube as entirely destitute of everything, and saying that there are fears of famine in Bulgaria. The Russian batteries at Giurgevo renewed the bombardment of Rustcbuk oil Thursday night, and the Turks at once energetically re- plied. The firing continued for eleven and a half hours. The Russian shots were principally directed against the town, in which considerable damage was again done. The number of the killed and wounded has not yet been ascer- tained. This time the English consulate was spared. Rumours are again current of the probability of direct negotiations between the Sultan and the Czar as soon as the Russians shall have obtained a decisive victory. THE PASSAGE OF THE DANUBE. According to a despatch from head-quarters, received at the Russian Embassy in Vienna, 120.000 Russians were to have crossed by noon on Friday. The Emperor is said to have joined his army at Sistova, where he experienced an enthusiastic reception from the Bulgarians. So far as we are at present aware up to Monday the passage of the river had been forced as yet only at three points, namely —at'Matchin, in the Dobrudscha; at Petroceni, near Sistova; and at Turnu-Margurelli, near Nikopoli, where the ninth army corps, after repeated repulses, succeeded in effecting a crossing on Saturday. Sistova i an open town, which could offer no effectual resistance to a land force, though the redoubts thrown up besids it on the river bank were probably sufficient to protect it again8t a coup de main from the opposite side of the stream. Nikopoli, which has been the scene of many hard-fought struggles in former wars, boasts a fortress in rather bad condition on one of the two hills overlooking the town, the other being defended merely by a guard-house. It was here that in the fourteenth century Bajazet won his great victory over the French and Austrians. In 1828 the town succumbed to the Russians, as it is now evi- dently destined to do again. The total number of Turkish troops in the Nikopoli Sistova district, including the reserves at Pleona, is believed not to exceed 20,000, to which the Russians can easily oppose now 100,000 or more, if required. Under such circumstances the issue caunot be doubtful, though it may be parried for a time by the arrival of Turkish reinforcements from the neigh- bouring districts. According to a telegram from Con- stantinople published in Sunday night's special edition of the Observer, a great battle was being waged near Sistowav on the opposite bank. Reinforcements were being forwarded in hot haste from Rustehuk. Shumla, and Nikopoli. Meanwhile, the Turks at Sistova were said to be still holding their ground, and inflicting great loss upon the Russians with their artillery. Accordii g t ) this despatch, the attack upon Nikopoli had been defeated. At Turtukai, the Turks have successfully re- pulsed two attempts to cross, but as the Russians at Oltenitza have received reinforcement a third effort is not unlikely to prove successful. The detailed account of the passage of the Danube, near Sistova-dscribed by an eye-witness— which appeared in the Daily News of Saturday, makes ample amends for the very meagre and fragmentary re- ports of this great operation contained in earlier tele- grams. The whole scene is brought vividly before us, and the true character and difficulties of the undertaking are made apparent even to the non-military reader. Although the Turkish force -which opposed the landing was evidently small—the entire garrison of Sistova and the neighbourhood does not exceed a brigade, of which a mere handful could be spared for the defence of the re- mote point selected for the Russian assault—they seem to have fought with great pluck. and determination, inflicting upon the assailants a loss of about 1,000 men in killed and wounded. On the Russian side the difficulties of the enterprise appear to have been not a little aggravated by thwidth of the river and the swampy character of the flat which the troops had to pass to reach the point' of embarkation. Once on the 1 urkish bank, the Russians seem to have made short work of the Turks, who gave way at the first onrush of their assailants; but there was, nevertheless, a rather sharp hand-to-hand conflict higher up the slopes, where the Turks rallied; and before the Russians reached the Bulgarian shore, the Turkish shells, it is stated, played great havoc in their ranks. The Turkish shells, we are told, kept falling in the water, whistling through the willows on the Roumanian shore, where the Russians were waiting embarkation, and bursting among the columns on the muddy flat behind. One shell from a mountain gun fell into a boat containing two guns, their gunners, and the commandant of the battery, and sunk the boat, with all on board; but, in other respects, the boats escaped very well, and it was only before embark- ing, and after landing on the opposite shore, that the Russians experienced any serious loss. A Turkish monitor, hemmed in by a cordon of torpedoes in a side channel to the side of the island of East Vardin, was a powerless witness of the engagement, and will have some difficulty, we imagine, in avoiding ultimate capture. As the Rus- sians had a complete pontoon train ready at Simnitza no- thing was wanting but the tete de pont secured by this battle to enable them to lay a bridge across into the heart of the enemy's territory, into which 100,000 men will shortly have passed. The comparatively small losses sustained in forcing the passage are attributed to the dis- persion of the troops in a great number of small boats holding only from fifteen to twenty men each, who ad: vanced en tirailleurs in scattered order, instead of in dense masses, as on former occasions. The Russians were less fortunate at Nikopolis, opposite Turnu Margurelli, on Thursday, when, after a vigorous bombardment, extend- ing over the previous day, they embarked their men on board some fifty lighters and attempted to ferry them across by means of steam launches. The Turks, however, were too strong and well prepared for the success of this enterprise, and the heavy and well directed fire from their batteries sank no less than ten of the lighters, besides disabling others and drowning most of the occupants. The carnage became terrible as the transports came within range of the Turkish guns, and the Russians were ultimately compelled to abandon the attempt, and take refuge under the lee of the island of Clamouza. According to Rus- sian advices, however, the attempt on Nikopolis was merely a faint to divert attention from the real objective point, which is five miles lower down, opposite Flamanda. The river there, is somewhat wide, but a convenient is- land masks the preparations on the Roumanian shore, and the Turkish bank is only defended by a few pieces of field artillery. Behind the island at Flamanda a flotilla has been collected capable of transporting at each journey 3,000 men. There is one immense lighter constructed to carry half that number but after the experience of the Russians at Petroceni, near Sistova, we should have thought they would prefer to distribute their men over a number of small boats, presenting little or no mark to the foeman. At Oltenitza, opposite Turtukai, the Russians lately adopted a rather ingenious stratagem in order to unmask secret batteries, and ascertain the amount of re- sistance they would have to encounter in crossing. After a fierce cannonade of the Turkish positions they launched a flotilla of eight boats, manned with dummy soldiers, which drew forth a harmless fire from a thousand rifles and cannon distributed along the Turkish shore. Fortunately for the Russians, their opponents had no armies of importance sufficiently near to attack them for a day or two after their landing, and by this time the in- vading force is, presumably, strong enough to hold its own against any body of troops which may assail them. It is believed that 60,000 Russians have now crossed near Sis- tova. It was not until Saturday that the Turks mustered in sufficient force to warrant them in taking the offensive. On that day we are told the Russian advance guard march- ing south from Sistova, reached Biela, which lies some twenty miles inland from the Danube, on the banks of the river Jintra, which empties itself into the main stream close to the scene of Tuesday's conflict. Here the Turks, collected from Rustehuk, Shumla, and other places, were in considerable force, and a terrible battle began. Both sides, it is said, fought with great valour and determina- tion, the Russians opening the attack. The Turkish artillery, however, appears to have been superior in strength and handled with more than customary skill, and fearful havoc was made in the ranks of the assailants. The Turkish infantry ultimately completed the work of the ar- tillery, and fell upon the invading columns with such im- petuosity that they were driven back to the Danube, leavinu the ground covered with their dead and dying. At the date of this telegram details of the engagement were wanting, but there can be little doubt that the Turks have scored a. success at Biela, though it may shortly be reversed by an advance of the Russian main body from Sistova. The want of bridge communication with the Roumanian bank, at this juncture, must have been sorely felt by the Russians, who could not advance from Sistova to the support of the corps before Biela without seriously imperilling their positions. As the bridge is reported to be now complete, and ample forces must by this time have crossed the stream, the battle is not unlikely to be renewed under more favourable conditions for the Russians. The Turkish official despatch from Sistova, giving an account of the Russians crossing the Danube, asserts that 4,000 of them were killed and that 24 of their guns were sunk in the river, the Turks losing 224 men. I THE WAR IN ASIA MINOR. S I» Asia Minor the Turks are still holding their own. not something ipr.ro. A Vienna telegram, indeed, describ the whole Russian line as in full retreat. Near Batou there has been further tightiug, which Iw, it*,ulte. according to Turkish advices, in complete repulse of tl | iwissians who have been obliged to evacuate the positioi tbey lately occupied on the S.uneba heights, to the norl and east of the town. The heights of Khouzouba. l is stated, have also been recaptured by tl lurks w&o have driven their assailants bat to their -entrenched positions at Djanguir. Tl jattle, at the date of tlie la«t advices, still continue! but Ichuruksu was already in the hands of the Turk; The last official despatch from Dervish Pacha brin-s tl news down to the 20th June, when the Russians, besid. removing their guns from the Sameba heights, had wit] drawn their left wing to the heights of Khouzouban. 0 the 20th a detached column of the Turkish right win" a 4 tacked the Russians <m the Khouzouban hills' and dro\ them back to their camp as already stated, whilst anotht them back to their camp as already stated, whilst anotht body occupied the frontier line at Tchoruksu, which mm not be confounded with the Tchuruksu further souti > The Turkish right and centre, under Mukhtar Pacha ai The Turkish right and centre, under Mukhtar Pacha ai still intact, but another great battle appears to be in minerit at Zewin, where the Russians are making a nc and vigorous effort to dislodge the Turkish centre. Th better to accomplish this, they have suspended operation for the moment against Kars, and have despatched reir torcements not only to Sara Kamysch, which is their bas of operations in the Sosrhanli district, but also to Bayazid On the Russian side it is stated that the suspense at Kar 18 rv"n^ ^-?r ^le necessity of awaiting guns of heavie calibre. Meanwhile the garrison and irregulars ar. v making frequent sorties, with a view to intercept the sup plIes of the besiegers. In the recent fighting before ZewlJ the Russians admit a loss of nearly 900 men hors de com bat; but the Turks estimate the Russian loss in that en gagement at about 3,000. In the Caucasus the Turk? claim to have won an impor tant victory on :Friday last, over 15,000 Russians who at tacked them at Schamdjar. Reinforcements having beei received on both sides a great battle ensued, lasting til midnight, when the Turks, assisted by two of their iron clads, succeeded in putting their assailants to flight, witl a loss of "2,000 killed and double that number wounded,' or 6,000 men in all, whilst the losses of the Turks wer in entrenched positions, scarcely exceeded 300. At Ardanutsch, however, a Russian column fron Ardahan, under General Komaroff, achieved a sue- cess on the 28th ult.. Thursday last, against a body o; 3.000 Turks encamped on the heights, commanding tht town, who were driven from their positions and°pur- su-ed as far as the village of Batz. with a loss of 10C killed, whilst on the Russian side there was only one mar killed. The Russians, according to telegrams from Erzeroum continue to give ground to tlie advancing Turks, Mouktai' Pasha's forces being within a few miles of Kars. THE CRETAN ASSEIBL Y. i The deputies of the Cretan Assembly have sent a tele- gram to the Sultan praying his Majesty to send to Creta a mijeed commission conversant with the Greek language, m order to examine in an amicable manner the demand^of the population in connection with the questions at issue between the Mussulmans and Christians. The signataries of the telegram refuse to send to Constantinople the deputies summoned by the Porte. The decision of the Ottoman Government on the request has not yet been, made known. The Cretans have addressed a demand to the (Ecumenical Patriarch asking for the maintenance in Crete of the Metropolitan-See. which has been transferred 1 to Roumelia at the instance of the Porte. A CONFLICT BETWEEN A TURKISH MONITOR AND RUSSIAN TORPEDO BOAT. ,( Much surprise has been expressed on all hands at the little assistance rendered to the Turks in the defence of the Danube by their numerous monitors and gunboats, but one at least of these crafts has honourably dis- tinguished itself in the conflict with four torpedo' boats which is graphically described by the correspondent of the Daily News at Turnu Margurelli. This monitor had been giving the Russians a good deal of trouble, and showed an amount of activity very unusual with the Turks, continually shelling the Russian batteries, and destroying the boats. The Russians accordingly deter- mined to destroy it. and despatched against it four tor- pedo boats. Hiding behind an island, the boats lay in wait, and when the vessel was steaming past suddenly- darted out from their hiding-place, and bore down on her in broad daylight. With wonderful quickness and skill the monitor was prepared for action, and made a success- ful defence against the four terrible enemies. Her com- mander began by thrusting out torpedoes on the end of long spars, thus threatening the boats with the danger of being blown into the air first, at the same time opening a terrible fire on them with small arms and mitrailleuses. He manoeuvred his boat, moreover, with a dexterity and address which, with the torpedoes projecting, made it impossible for the Russian boats to approach sufficiently near. After a lengthened contest, in the coursc of which the commander of the monitor—a European, it is believed was disabled-the monitor steamed away, and has not since been seen. Another monitor, which came upon the Russians at Petioceni, near Sistova, in the midst of their crossing on Thursday, behaved in a very different manner. The monitor had just been engaging a Russian battery when she came upon the busy scene. There was a general scare, and a sus- pension of all Russian activity, except such as was directed to self-preservation. Everybody felt that the monitor might do infinite harm but in fact she did none. She was in the same reach as the crossing place. There she stopped, and there she supinely waited for nearly two hours, neither moving nor firing a shot. The Russians made no attempt to dislodge her. so far as was apparent, but she inexplicably withdrew of her own accord, steam- ing away slowly down the river." After the withdrawal of the monitor the Emperor Alexander crossed the river to the Turkish bank. From Silistria it is reported that the Turkish gunboats are endeavouring to destroy the Russian communications at various points higher up the river, and are doing great damage and destroying many boats. Rustehuk is said to be hotly assailed. The Turks there are offering a stubborn resistance, but their numbers are said to be inadequate to contend successfully against < the masses of Russians who are launched against the place. THE WAR IN MONTENEGRO. From Montenegro we have intelligence of further fight- ing in the East, where Mehemet Ali, advancing from Golaschin, reports an important victory achieved on the 23rd ultimo, on the Moratscha river, over a body of 5,000 insurgents, who were routed, leaving 500 dead on the field of battle. It does not appear, however, that Mehemet Ali has yet been able to effect a junction with the other two Turkish generals who have taken Spuz and and Podgoritza as their new base of operations, or that the latter have yet succeeded in forcing their way to Cettinje. In expla- nation, apparently, of the wholesale burning of villages reported in a previous telegram, Mehemet Ali states in his despatch that the inhabitants of the Moratscha valley committed barbarous outrages last month upon some Turkish prisoners who had fallen into their hands. 4 ENGLAND AND RUSSIA. According to advices from Berlin, the announced return of Lord Odo Russel to his post is much commented upon there, being connected with the passage of Prince Bismarck through Berlin on his way from Kis:-5ing-en to Varzin and with the efforts attributed to this statesman to mediate between England and Russia, with the view of removing: everything that might disturb the relations between those two countries. From the circumstance that Lord Odo Russell, cutting short his leave of absence, is coming to the Prussian Capital to meet the German Chancellor, the in- ference is drawn that there is again some occasion for the mediation of the latter. As the crossing of the Danube by the Russians has brought nearer the contingency of a vigorous advance into the Balkans and the very heart of European Turkey, it is supposed the German Chancellor may think it advisable to use his good offices so as to pre- vent misunderstandings, and that it is on this account the British Ambassador has curtailed his leave of absence and return to Berlin to meet Prince Bismarck.—Times. THE CZAR ACROSS THE DANUBE The Daily Net rs correspondent at Sinmitza says ,me particulars respecting the visit of the Emperor to the trans-Danubian position may be interesting He found the 9th Division on the left, the Rifle Brigade in the centre, the 8th Division to the right, and the 35th Division m the reserve. He embraced General Dragimiroff hailed him as the head of the crossing, an honour shared by Volchme and young Skobeloff, and gave him the 3rd cla4 cross of St. George, the highest honour a division general can obtain. The Brigade Yolchine as the first t;) lined the Emperor's road into Sistova, and he addressed his valiant soldiers with a thankful greeting and warm praises of their valour. A Bulgarian priest received him at the entrance with a cross, and with bread and salt The Czar kissed the cross, and tasted the bread and salt. He thenjwent straight to the Bulgarian Church, the Bulgarian women and children of bistova strewing his path with flowers, and in the sacred edifice listened to a Te Deumt and took the Sacrament Much satisfaction is expressed by the commander of the crossing operations. (LieS Radetsky. Prince Mn>y and General Dragimiroff 5B of pure Russian birth. ™ ENGAGEMENTS AT BIELA. "i lelegrams from Schumla and Constantinople reiterate uie announcement of engagements fought ac Biel i Turks defeating the attempts of the Russians to force thp. bridge there over the Jantra. These reports further state that the Muscovites, being repulsed at this point, marched in a south-easterly direction upon Tirnova. The reports that the Russians had already reached and occupied'Tir- nova, are premature. Some Cossacks, scouring the country in all directions," have ventured near to and it is reported have even entered, Tirnova, which fact is the probable foundation of the rumoured Pusd™ *• 5 the town. The probable WndS^toTT he rumoured engagements at Biela. is that unsuccessful at tempts have been made by these Cossacks to cross tlie Jantra for reconnoitring purposes. Redif Pasha the Ottoman war minister, arriv'ed on Wednesday ai « £ entrenched encampment at Schumla, accompanied by the President of the Senate, Namyk Pasha. t? THE BRITISH FLEET. TJ5 ^-tjencv. winch is semi-official, states tlif- the British fleet has been sent to Besika Bav in view of the contingency of a disturbance breakinc out £ Con stantmople. v'on" The Porte has sent a circular letter to its representstii-w, at foreign courts indignantly denying a R .umaniin statement that the Turkish troops had orders to o-v-p quarter to Roumanians.