Weekly Mail

TIDE TABLE. eoji m Wau: EXMSO DBCSMKKK 17, 1880. C I *« £ A « > U -m I It §- S 1 I 5 DAYSOrTXXWOK. J3 • S G. G JA*2 E» P 3 *2 «| 5 G 3 S B » 3 O 3 O i Moraing 2 9 1 52 1 6 2 0 2 50 liTVIDT KveJiiug -2 48 2 23 139 2 33 836 (Height P,1 1 27 6 20 0 87 2 18 6 i Moruuig 3 24 8 i 2 9 13 3 4 15 Vxtxsiat .< Eveping 3581 843 2 42 1 3 3» 4&0. ) Height [ ffl_4 | 28 1 20 8 | 27 11 19 S | Morning 4 28 4 13 8 11 | 4 S 520 XOHI»AX.< Kvcrdng 4 56 442 3 41 4 35 5 4$ (Jieigb* 23 8 2t 0 21 8|» 1 20 9 ) Morning 15 8 4 10 | 5 4 6 15 .'livening 549 532 4 37 5 31 6 39 S Height M 9|30 2 22 2 30 7 a 4 ) Morning 6 14 5S7 5 2 5 56 7 4 WKMBY. >Evening 6 87 619 5 28 6 20 7 26 > Heigh* .25 7 30 8 22 8 31 3 22 5 i Morning 6S6 6 39 547 6 41746 TlBHBT < Evening 7 13 6 50 6 S 70 86 I Height .26 6 81 4 28 0 ^2280 ) Morning 7 32 7 18 « » 7 ^0l 3 25 P*r»i.T .Bvenlac 7 51 «36 6 46 7 3»;8 43 Height 2T 2 31 7 23 5 32 7 28 5

Dftail SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1880. OUR WEEKLY SUMMARY. Tkxs has l**«» an eiceptionally bad week for MM law-abi liuf people of Ireland; the eatate(cue of munlwra and oatrages being tulrI3u4ttY hetvy. The police barracks at were attacked on ^tardi/ xagjat by a mob, bat no •ei'*ous con^fqueucea ensatsrl. Amor^f other oo«raa**9 it is reported that a gentleman, named OTUmnor, was attacked on Saturday, and ariooiij aaoanhed. The Firat Bactahon of the CoUaireaau QnarcU left Chelsea Bar- irw,tssbardy after five o'clock last evening, WMUMcedaMfcy the reevoental band, marchcd > to Vioto«^ S4»sioa of I.osuoi, fVKl BaTfct en nnd*.t for Dublin, via Willesden and Holyhead. A large crowd followed the battalion to the railway station, and the men were repeatedly cheered as they passed along the different streets. Another dastardly murder has been committed by an Irish ruffian, wko, after shooting a bailiff dead, made his escape. Mr. Parnell HAS received two threatening letters, in which he is called a tenfold murderer, a defrauder, and one who II about destroying the country for the beaeiit of his own pocket. This is rather a turning of the table, and the lawlessness and violence the emin nt agitator and his coadjutors have been so buaily engaged in stirring up BEGINS to revert upon Ita originator^. The Land League are about to issue placards II instructing its members to deduct all extra porce TAXES they are charged be/ore paying their rents based on Griffith's valuation, file DETACHMENT of the Coldstream Guards, upon reaching Dublin on Wednesday,met with quite a coruv-II reception, and from this and other 1 facta it; would appear that Irishmen have already begun to emancipate themselves from th, fanfaronade of Messrs. Parnell and Co. A B LOIIVT-R has been murdered at Solibill, near Birmingham, and there is a strong suspicion that the crime was of a political character. Deceased had at one time been a member of the Land League; but it is believed retired from it. These may 1:ê' mere runout S. Ox Saturday the judges in the Court of Queen's Bench, Dublin, gave judgment in the i;)ution brought by the Land League for an attachment against the proprietors and editor of the Dublin Evening Mail for publishing certain articles calculated to prejudice the fair trial of the defendants in the State pro- secution. Lord Chief Justice May, referring to the speeches of Mr. Parnell, Mr. Dillon, and other members of the League, said their language was such as to demoralise the people and incite them to assassinate the landlords. Was it not the duty of journalists to take notice of such a disgraceful state of things ? He thought it the bounden duty of j every journalist to call the attention of the people to such facts, but the publication of articles like those in question was to be depre- cated, and both he and the other judges con- sidered them decidedly objectionable,.though not calculated to interfere with the trial. The court granted the attachment order, making it absolute, but ruling that it should not issue, and no costs. During the day the application was made by the counsel of the Land League for a postponement of the State prosecutions, on the ground that they would interfere with members of Parliament taking their seats when the House met in January, and refused by the Bench. HER MAJESTY the Queen paid a visit to the Metropolis from Windsor on Tuesday. Her reception was very loyal, and her Majesty was, as usual, favoured with delightful Queen's weather." WE learn from our Cleveland correspondent that, under the operation of the sliding scale principle, Mr. Vincent Thompson, arbitrator between the Cleveland ironmasters and the North of England blast furnacemen, has de- cided that the masters are entitled to make a reduction of two and a half per cent, in wages for the last three months of the year. This would seem to indicate that the recent revival of trade wns, comparatively speaking, of a fic- titious character. There certainly has been an increased demand at better prices, but the jump" was greatly overrated. The import and export trade returns of the country for November show, however, a steady improvement in the trade of the country. As compared with 1879, the exports show a clear increase of £1,800,000. The zoitil valueof exports amounted to £18,800,000, and of imports to £38,400,000. THEIIE are many one-eyed political economists who positively regard this enormous disproportion of the value of our exports as compared with the value of our im- ports as proof chat the country is fast going to the dogs, and all through free trade." Their rough and ready and im- penutrably stupid remedy is Protection—no, not Protection, that word won't do to conjure with now, but "Reciprocity," or the still more Q j jhing phrase "countervailing duties." It I" a:, exploded mercantile theory, to quote the succinct language of a great authority. Sir Louis Mallet, that the balance of trade, according to which the advantage of c-om- inerce to a coujnt^y, resides in what it partj with and not in what it obtains, in its exports ;ti;d not in its imports, the balance being paid in money, which was supposed to be the only wealth. HAPPILY the Government is firm on this aestion of ''Reciprocity," and even the i t-ople's William has not yet come to" think twice or thrice" on the abandonment of J, liscal policy which is at the base of our commercial prosperity. At a meeting held at Bristol on Tuesday evening, in order to in- duce the Government to take steps to get foreign,bountias abolished, some of the speakers seemed to have become very foggy on th- subject, and utterly failed to see that in prin- ciple there is no difference between 1:1.1" imposition of "countervailing duties'' and Pro- tection, and tli;^ if applied generally would lead to irrecoverable ruin. A letter was read from Mr. Chamberlain, President of the Board of Trade, which showed that he at least had not lost his head on the subject. The following passages ought to be pondered over by all babbling Economic Resun e tioaists. "On one pomt, however, clearest answer haa already been given to the persons interested, namely, that the Govci M- ment will not give any support to the notion of countervailing duties, which, in our opinion, would onl. be Protection under another name. We are at the* present time engaged in communicating through the Foreign Office with foreign Governments, to whom we have submitted the statements of the sugar refiners, on which we hope to re- ceive their observations. I also hope, in the course of a few days, to forward a full state- ment of the views of the Government, with detailed reasons against countervailing duties, to the officers of the workmen's committee; and this letter, as well as the reply to be for- warded to the Sugar Refiners' Committee, will no doubt be published in the newspapers." THE cession of Dulcigno has been officially reported as complete, and on Saturday the allied fleet weighed anchor. The British warships will proceed to Malta, the Italians to Brindisi, and the Russians to the Piraeus, where they will probably be joined by vessels of the other Powers. Germany sends her ships to Trieste, and France to Toulon, while the Austrian ironclads will, of course, remain in the Adriatic. AFTER having maintained a most embar- rassing silence until the dispersal of the fleet, M. Gambetta, on Saturday, showed his hand, through his organ, the Republique Francaise, which declares the firm maintenance of the European Concert to be the surest guarantee of the continuance of peace, and adds that France oaght not to pursue the selfish policy advocated by the Opposition speakers during the late debate on foreign affairs in the Cham- ber of Deputies. It was not altogether a friendly action of the great French Dictator this, to leave his. English Radical friends in the lureh until their policy had failed amidst the ridicule of Europe. CAPTAIN VERKOVSKY, one of the naval commissioners appointed by the Russian Admiralty to accompany the Livadia to Ferrol, has, says the Examiner, signalised his return home by a most damaging article on that eccentric vessel. He admits, to begin with, that she is unfit for seagoing purposes, that her hull needs strengthening with a ooating of wood and copper, and that even then the will be liable to the severe shocks and strains she experienced while on her way to Ferrol. Coming from a personal friend of Admiral Popoff, who pro- poses applying the Livadia principle to a new frigate, such admissions derive additional significance. If there is no remedy, in Verkovsky's opinion, against the shocks, the advantage claimed for the Livadia of possessing a steady platform for guns must BE at once resigned. But even if this point be conceded, steady platforms, merely for smooth waters, are not of much use to naval Powers. Sir Edward Reed, adds our contem- porary, has done his best to gloss over the failure of the Livadia, but the truth is rapidly leaking out. The Czar's yacht must pass into the forlorn category of failures, com- prising the Peter the Great, the Bessemer, and the two Popoffkas. SUNDAY was the 85th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Carlyle, undoubtedly the greatest thinker of the age. For a long time Mr. Carlyle haa beon in feeMe health, but h.i.1 mind has remained clear, and his in- terest in all literary and other questions absorbing. In the nature of things the great author of Sartor Reeartas," and that most lurid of historic dramas, The Iftvtory of the French Revolution," cannot be long spared to us, but let us hope that even unto the very of death his tine mind may BE pre- SSIFCW I Is Spain about to wake up and try to keep abreast of the age ? It would appear so from the statement that the expelled French monks —scheming, plotting fellows-are not to be allowed domicile in Spain. If that depraved and priest-ridden country would only infuse a little religious toleration into its veins, and encourago the arts of peace and free speech, there mi^'at be hopes of its regeneration. THE Paris papers report a case of child stealing as extraordinary as that in the romantic story of II Trovatore." Five years ago a young w an an gave birth to a daughter at the houso oF a midwife in the Rue Mont- martre. A few week" after the father was in- formed that the child had died. The burial took place in due course, and nothing more was thought of the matter till the other day, when, owing to some private quarrel, a cousin of the young woman disclosed the fact that a d'ad child had been substituted for the living one, which was sold to a wealthy but childieas couple for three hundred thousand francs, the money being divided between the midwife and the mother. The young woman, who since been living in a viita at Auteuil on proceeds of the sale, has been arrested..»•. the police are said to be on the track of accomplice. DRAMATIC criticism has reached a vc. exalted pitch in America. This is how ¡, New York paper "touches up" Sarah Bern- hardt :—" This flashy phantom is a sort or female Calvin Edson, an attenuated sorceress, a shadowy sin, a transparent torturer of the public, one of the serpentine vertebrae of humanity, who are sent at intervals as if to prove wha^ stamp of people come from Mother Nature. She lives by the licence of her career, and wins because she is gracefully wanton. A husbandloss mother, her chil- dren are fathered by princes; and with no ancestry of her own but obscurity, she capti- vates future kings by her mysterious gifts, and makes her slaves the curled darlings of the oldest families." THE education question is becoming a burning one in France, the old feud between the lay and clerical powers having ontered upon a new phase. The Government have introduced a Compulsory Secular Education Bill, the provisions of which were explained by M. Paul Bert to the Chamber on Satur- day. In defending the measure, M. Bert denied that morality was inseparably bound up with religion, maintaining that the im- mortality of the soul was rather a metaphy- sical doctrine than a theological dogma, and that mankind had for centuries been agreed on a collection of moral truths. The parent, moreover, would be abi)f; to call in the priest or pastor to supplement the school teaching. The only way of scouring peace between Church and State was to separate their func- tions, and secular compulsory education had been adopted by the most religious and most Conservative nations. THIS is a step beyond that taken by the Belgian Government two years ago, and which created almost a social revolution in that country. The policy of the late Frere Orbon was not to secularise the national schools so much aa to popularise them, widen their scope of effectiveness, liberalise the curri- culum, and place their management entirely under the control of the State. Previously the scboolsin Belgium were mere clerical semina- ries, many of them very fine educational institu- tions, entirely under the supervision of the priesthood. All this is altered, and greatly for the better. It is a very different thing to secularise the teaching entirely; but when we consider the course of policy which the Government ia forced to pursue by the pressure of a dominant Radical party, this new departure may have become a neces- sity. It severs another, and, in many respects, the most important, link of the chain which binds the Church and State together in France. The result may be disastrous, but there is no receding now. Tnn Royal Court of Jersey has taken a very bold and, on the face of it, all impudent step, which may lead to the reform or efface- iiieiit of that petty oligarchic body. It has refused to register the Burials Act, thereby rendering its provision* null and void. This court is composed of a baker's dozen of mem- bers, twelve jurats elected by the ratepayers of the island for life, and a bailiff, or judge, who is nominated by the Crown. The Manx Legislature snapping its fingers at the Im- perial Parliament is a dignified procedure to this, for even that insignificant body has, at least, some representative character. THIS is not bad from the Referee, a pro- nounced Radical paper :—" The attempt of the Government to crush the telephone because, forsooth, it interferes with a Government monopoly, is a scand-.l to free, enlightened England. It shows how evil a thing monopoly i;, and is a lesson in free tmde which should be taken to heart. Once let a Government obtain a monopoly of anything, and farewell to progress. Ours is the sort of Government chat would have proceeded against the ravens .,ho fed Elijah for supplying refreshments ithout A licence." THE rumour that Greece and Turkey were about to enter into direct communication for the settlement of their differences is contra- dicted, and it is expected that the Great Powers will "sit" on the subject. Greece has been informally cautioned not to provoke a quarrel, which, by the bye, she is not likely to do, unless secretly backed up by some one or more of the Great Powers. At the very utmost she could not put more than 60,000 or 70,000 men into the field, and her fleet would be practically nowhere against the Turkish ironclads. MR. LESLIE STEPHEN, a most accomplisned litterateur, delivered a very striking lecture at the-London Institution, on Monday evening, on The Relations of Morality to Literature." One passage struck us as startling. He said All would own that the good old-fashioned practice of regarding a neat little moral as the final cause of every work of art was, to say the least, unsatisfactory. Miss Martineau's attempts to make the 'dismal science' of political economy the raw material of romance were condemned, and Dickens's assault upon the Circumlocution Office,' how- ever amusing and even useful, in a sense, could not escape the verdict of just criticism against works of fiction written with a pur- pose.' Now, we do not think that the gifted critic has done justice to novels written with a purpose." ALMOST all great works of fiction were written with a purpose, and successfully so. In the poetry of fiction Chaucer and Lang- land wrote with the purpose of exposing the grossness of the lives of the ecclesiastical harpies of those dark ages, and aided the sub- sequent labours of the great Reformers. Cervantes made the absurd romancists for ever ridiculous by one novel, written with a purpose." In our own day Mrs. Stowe did more to abolish slavery, Mr. Reade to secure reform of our penal laws, and the management of private asylums; Dickens the abolition of innumerable social abuses, by works of fiction, than all the statesmen of the age. But, per- haps, Mr. Stephen was not very correctly reported in the Times, which of late has de- veloped a wonderful faculty for blundering. THE annual fat stock show of the Cow- bridge Farmers' Club was held on Tuesday, and was a thoroughly successful one. At the dinner held afterwards Mr. Daniel Owen, Ash Hall, drew attention to the necessity of pro- viding better accommodation for holding the weekly market, and considerable discussion ensued upon the advisability of erecting a market-house. ANOTHER earthquake shock has been felt- at Agram, the capital of Croatia, in Hungary. An earthquake prophet has been studying this subject, and predicts another in a few days. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and especially in the case of such disastrous cataclasms as earthquakes. The good people of Agram will have an opportunity to leave the doomed city, and let the elements have the work all to themselves. A MOVEMENT has been set on foot in Cow- bridge with the view of establishing a school for intermediate education, and the beat means of obtaining this object was the sub- ject of a long discussion at a meeting held at that town on Wednesday. That any resident in Cowbridge should propose the abolition of the grammar school for the purpose of obtaining its endowments in support of an establishment for intermediate education will be a matter of surprise to many, and yet it appears from the resolutions which had been prepared, that this was th-) way in which the committee ap- pointed at a preliminary meeting in- tended to provide for the education of the middle class. That resolution was eventually struok out, and it was resolved to take steps for the establishment Of an intermediate school in connection with the grammar school. We are sure the people of Cowbridge would be sorry to see any action taken to reduce the statua of the grammar school, which has for many years reflected considerable glory upon attwu tad jw«igh hour hood. THE Swansea Town Council on Wednesday determined to promote a Bill in Parliament for the consolidation of the various liabilities contracted by it in its several capacities. They. will also take powers to issue Stock, Debentures, and Annuity Certificates for the amount. This is a wise step, and one calcu- lated to relieve the ratepayers of a portion of their heavy burdens. Stock always stands higher if there be a larger amount of it than if there be only a small sum. The reason is that a ready sale can always be secured at the market price of the day in the former cast whereas in the latter there may be no bu."e: forthcoming when a bolder wishes to sell unlesa he be prepared to make a large sacri- fice. The various debts of the Swansea Cor- poration now amount to nearly £000,000. THE experiment tried at Liverpool lately of issuing bonds for very small amounts has j proved eiuiudiciy satisfactory. This is half j the secret of .the wonderful facility with which che French raised their milliards to pay off the Germaiis. The experiment," if such it can still be called, ought to be tried at Swan- ■■a. if bonds were issued to a large amount for sams of £ -3, it would probably be found ihat money could be raised per cent. cheaper than if the usual £100 standard were vihered to. THE Council also decided to pay the Tram- way and Improvement Company £3,18ï on the completion of the Aberdyberthy new road, without any reference to further operations in College and Gower streets. The long- standing dispute which has been a source of annoyance to the town for so long is, there- fore, in a fair way to be settled. Should the company succeed in obtaining Parliamentary powers to connect their two lines by a new tramway, to be constructed through Yeo- street, through communication between Morriston and the Mumbles will be obtained. In that case the inhabitants of College and Gower streets will be left to hive for an inde- finite period without the premium for com- pulsory disturbance, the value of which they have ihown that they so fully understand. SOME modern Tied Piper of Hamelin is sorely needed at Maryhill, a pleasant district of Glasgow. The place is suffering from a plague of rats. Thc-re are rats everywhere, running about the streets in thousands." A dairy keeper has had fourteen pigs killed and eaten by the rats, the chemists are driving a roaring trade selling poison to kill the rats, but tht cry is still they come," and increase, and the people are distracted. Mothers with babies are all nearly demented, for it is a well-known fact that rats have a great taste for sucking the life-blood of a baby, for lying on their little mouthi and smother- inl thsm, whilst the overpowered parents lie snoring by. The crisis is a terrible one. There are a -great variety of theories to account for the plague. Thousands of rat* have been se«n marching from the River Kelvin. This is not strange. Will you hast« to Kelvin Grove, Jjonnie lissi;, O ? is tho burden of an old song made when Kelvin Grove was a rural retreat of beauty, but the river has long since become a pesti- lential drain, too dirty, it appears, even for rats. We have our theory of the cause of this plague. It is a judgment for Sawbath" travelling, whisky drinking, heeretical preachings," and organ blowings in the kirks. A plague of howling Salvationists might profitably be sent to Maryhill to grapple with the evil, on the principle that" one pain counteracts the other." "COMPARISONS are odious," but they are frequently instructive and indispensable. A London Householder," in a letter to the Times, draws attention to the conduct of Mr. Bass, Radical member for Derby, who, a short time ago, cleared" 42,000 acres of Highland pasturage, especially fit for sheep feeding, into a. deer forest. As a striking contrast, he refers to the noble conduct of the aristocratic Duke of Sutherland, expending enormous sums annually in reclaiming vast tmuto of bog land at Kildonan, Kilbrace, and other places for the benefit of the peasantry of' the far North. Indeed, the example of the Duke of Sutherland in this respect is beyond praise. He has turned man,, thousands of acres of desolate and unproductive moorland into fertile farms, sriven abundance of employment to an industrious, peaceful, and now prosperous peasantry, who a few years ago were on the social level of sn Irish" farmer in the most disturbed districts, with this difference, that they were thrifty, industrious, peacefully in- clined, and not easily duped by the fanatical brawlings of iri eoponsible agitators. GENERAL MANTEUFFEL, Governor of Alsace-Lorraine, has just administered a stern rebuke to the uneasy spirits of these re- conquered German Provinces who would keep alive the ill-feeling between France and the Fatherland. Addressing the members of the Alaace-Lorraint: Parliament he uoed these words: — H No Roman," he said, was ever prouder of Home than he was of Germany; no Governor could be firmer in resisting those inclined for illicit dealings with foreign land; yet no on* could have a more conciliatory disposition towards the law-loving, pacific, and sen- sible population ot Alsace-Lorraine than himself. All he demanded of the Alsace- Lorrainers was that they should accustom themselves to regard their re-union with Germany aa final, and to promote the welfare of the country independently of international politics." If some small 'edition-mongers nearer homo were addressed in such language by the Premier of this country, and if they were convinced that the good man would not be as certain to keep the promise to the ear" as the great Chancellor of the German Empire, they might mend their manners.

CABINET COUNCIL. The Central News" says:—"Summonses were issued on Wednesday for a Cabinet Council to be held on Thursday, the 16th inst., at the Premier's official residence, Downing-street. Mr. Gladstone will leave Hawarden next week to attend the meeting of the council. With reference to the report circulated that another serious difficulty has arisen in the Cabinet as to the advisability of im- mediately applying coercive measures in Ireland, there are good grounds for believing it is but a re-statement of a previous exaggeration of the actual facts. As formerly stated, differences of opinion undoubtedly existed between the members as to the best course to be adopted respecting the management of Irish affairs. These differences of opinion, however, were not, and have not, so far, been of such a character as to even seriously threaten the general unanimity with which Irish questions have been discussed by the Ministers. There is no such state of things existing as to warrant the slightest belief in the possibility of a December Session, or that Parliament will meet earlier than the 6th of January next.

THE SMITHFIELD CATTLE SHOW. On Monday morning at nine o'clock the 83rd Annual Cattle Show of the Smithfiekl Club was inaugurated at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, being th* nineteenth which has taken place at that establishment, :md the forty-second 3incs its removal from the stable yard in Goswell-street to the Baker-street Bazaar, where it wo first, held in 1839. The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the show shortly before twetve o'clock, and was received by Lord Tredegar (the president), Sir Brandreth Gibba (the hon. secretary), and several of the council of the club, and conducted through the show, expressing himself much pleased with the character of the stock. Shortly after three the Prince of Wales arrived, and was conducted round the show by the president, meeting with an enthusiastic reception. Tho Royal Party left between four and five o'clock. The general character of the show, judging from the cursory obser- vation that can be obtained from what is termed a. private view," during the examination of the stock by the judges for the purpose of making their awards of the prizes, is admitted to be one of marked excellence, not so much from the size of the animals, but from their compactness and symmetry, arising from the excellence of the flesh and early maturity, now one of the great features to be observed as a test of superiority. Thers is evidently a diminu- tion in the cattle classes, chiefly amongst the Herefords and shorthorns, and also in some of the classes for sheep, but in the pig classes there is a slight increase. In the class for Hereford steers, not exceeding two years old, the exhibit of Mr. C. WiBiams, or Ely, near Cardiff^ commanded. Tuesday was the first general opening day of this year's cattle show, and, as usual, there was a large gathering of those interested in agriculture. A3 a matter of course the prize animals were the great points of attraction, especially the champion beast, Mr. Colman's magnificent cross-bred steer, which stands in the prize list—;S25 as tho best in its class, the jMO cup as tho best of its breed, the champion plate of 100 guineas, besides the gold medal as the best beast in the show. During the early part of the day there was a large sprinkling of the aristocracy present in the show yard, including Earl Cheshani, the Mar- quess of Exeter, Lo:d Tredegar (this year's presi- dent of the club), Colonel Loyd Lindsay, the Duke of Roxburghe, Lord Walsingham, &c. In conse- quence of the superiority of the cattle in point of excellence of flesh resulting from early maturity, there were more sales effected than has been known for many years at so early a period of the show. The annual meeting of the club was held on Tues- day, Lord Tredegar. the president, occupied tlie chair. Sir Brandreth Gibbs, secretary, read too report of the council, which was adopted without discussion. On the motion of Viscount Bridport, seconded by Mr. William Farthing, Mr. Walter, M.P., was elected president of the club for 1882. The vice-president and bon. sec. were re-elected. The mating ■hr>r».iT ^aiiverwarda terminated.

I OUR LONDON LETTER. LONDON, FRIDAY. A Home Rule M.P. was telling me the other day that many years ago, when it was the custom to make a speech on presenting a petition, he had the honour of presenting an important petition from Irishmen, asking for the repeal of the Union. He made the accustomed speech, which was duly reproduced in the papers; and he had the good fortune to elicit from the Minister who replied an opinion that if it could be shown that a majority UIE Irish-people wished for a. repeal of the :1, THE Government were obliged too take that IUI-I their most serious consideration; and I understand that the Minister's reply suggested that there was no logical answer under the cir- cumstances to such a request coming in such a way. Now the little grievance in connection with the story is this: The Home Rule member con- siders it most important that such a statement from a Minister should be on record. He BaYs, however, that although his own speech is given in Hansard, the Minister's reply is carefully ex- cluded. The Home Ruler thinks Mr. Gladstone will introduce an effective measure if they will let him," and as far as ho is concerned he will sup* port him in anything like an attempt to deal with the question. I believe," says he, that the English people are awaking to the wrongs of Ireland, and that they will see us right. If you want a good investment, buy land in Ireland. You can get it now for nearly nothing, and next year, or the year after, it will he valuable." « I made use of my private view card for the winter exhibition of tho Institute of Painters in Water Colours and was very pleased that I did. It is a most successful show. Excellence is the rule and mediocrity the exception. The place was crowded, and there seemed to be no ventilation at all. The breathing material was of such an extraordinary nature that I did not stay long; but while I stayed I noticed many things I should like to possess. Mr. Henry J. Stock's two pic- tures, The Lovers," and Summer's Wraith," are both very beautiful. The last named takes its TITLE and subject from a poem by Guy Roslyn, but the quotation of only two lines in the catalogue is too short to give an adequate explanation. Both these pictures wore marked sold," and must have been purchased within a little while of the doors being thrown open. Although the exhibition is so satisfactory, there are membors of the society whose names will be missed. The catalogue is a little faulty. For instance, I find that there are two artists who are credited with the work No. 166. W I was shown on Saturday, in the studio of Mr. John Adams-Acton, a beautiful bas-relief, which is at once striking both for originality and execution. It is a monumental work called The Angel of Patience," a personification I have not before found in marble or on canvas. It is, unfortunately for the public, a private commission, and I sup- pose will not be exhibited. The two figures are life-size—the Angel of Patience at a death-bed. There is a pervading patience in both faces, and the art of the work will keep you looking at it for a long time. I understand that to carry out the commission it is necessary that the work should be reduced in size, and this I consider another misfortune in connection with it. Mr. Adams-Acton has been lately modelling Mr. W. Linnell, of Red Hill, and Dr. Richardson, F.R.S. Mr. Adams-Acton started for Cannes on Tuesday, and when he has turned a man there into stone, he will go on to Rome. I have a little information for burglars which will very likely fill them with disgust. A friend tells me there have been two attempts lately to break into his house and as he is the only man in the establishment he feels that circumstances forbid him to stay from home. He has his studio in London, and business often keeps him late in town, but he nevertheless always goes home. He has to some extent overcome the diffi- culty. His gardener lives on one side of him and the lodge-keeper on the other; and he has now established underground communication with both of them. Each man is provided with a double- barrelled gun, loaded, and they can be called to the rescue at any time by my friend or his wife. These men have instructions to take steady aim and fire if burglars are found in the future. It is the landlord in our despised country who does the shooting. This reminds mo that tha other day a Home Ruler said to me," We have been rather un- fortunate in cur shooting this season. We have" on one occasion killed the wrong man, but mis- takes will happen now and then, and every apology was made." He evidently considered tliat he had made a noble admission. When the word "season" is used in connection with this kind of shooting, the suggestion that has been made that there should be a close season for landlords in Ireland appears to be a particularly good one. Jeanie Herring I believe is engaged upon a new novel. She has the. peculiar pleasure of seeing her other works attaining to -NEW editions every year, an experience which must be at once both satis- factory to fame and finance. Is the following little story amusir^ or rude ? It may be both. I was dining at a friend's the other evening, and one of the guests was late, and made a start with the fish while we were trifling with the fruit. Said the hostess, Colonel, you are so late that your plate is quite cold let me get you another." And he replied, 0, no! don't trouble; I never eat the plate." There are some people who can always be allowed what many would consider a little rudeness of speech for the very reason that the intention of rudeness is the last thing that could be attributed to them. The Smithfield Show, which OPENED on Monday, brings us within measurable distance of the festive season and it begins to look as if there would be something of a truce ia politics for awhile. They can never go completely out of mind, it is true, be our Christmas prospects never ■so bright, for the meeting of Parliament on Twelfth Might will, of itself, effectually prevent this. The condition of affairs at home, and abroad is, moreover, not an encouraging sign that those who desire politics to slumber will have their wishes gratified. The fact, however, remains that, with the commencement of this week, political matters are dropping into socond place, and others less likely to provoke bitterness coming forward in their stead. The prevailing element in London to-day is essentially bucolic. Agricultural depres- sion has made its mark on the Smithfield Show, but somehow or another it has made no perceptible difference to the appearance of the streots and other places of public resort. Country cousins are here in much the same pro- fusion as in past years, the same genial bonhomie which surrounds the agriculturist of all grades, from the small farmer to the small landowner, is apparent, and if he is dejected by bad times and intolerable seasons, he at least leaves his bad spirits at home, and he comes to town with what, to outside observers at least, is a well filled purse. In the presence of so much that is genial, and, in- deed, jovial, it cannot be surprising that the lancour of party politics necessarily subsides. The Irish judges have declined to postpone the trial of Mr. Parnell and his associates, and the re- marks of the Lord Chief Justice in dismissing the application, together with Mr. Parnell's subsequent speeches at Waterford, have proved the staple of political conversation to-day. Chief Justice May's remarks have--been very freely commented on, and it seems to ba pretty generally conceded that they were a little too pronounced, not, indeed, because the facts do not warrant them, but because it will assuredly lead to a great deal of talk about the case having been prejudged by those who will have to try it. The Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, however, like the Lord Chief Justice of England, is allowed a wide latitude, and beyond the ranks of tho Irish party and some of the extreme Radicals there is, 1 sup- pose, no one who will complain, though some may think it would have been advisable to have toned down the remarks^nd to have some feeling of regret that they should have come from the judicial bench in a way which will enable the Parnellite faction to make some capital out of them. The refusal of the court to listen to the application has,V however, given colour to the rumour that Mr. Parnell will, notwithstanding the fact that the trials are proceeding, appear in his place in Parliament on the 6th of January, and claim his privilege of immunity from arrest, as a member of Parliament, as against any process which the judges may get in motion. Whether Mr. Parnell and his associates will alter their minds I do not know, but, at all events, I am assured by one of their supporters that this attempt will be made. That it will not avail them, however, is, I think, obvious, for the proceeding taken against them is criminal and not civil, and they are in the atnoe position as if they had one and all committed some of the graver offences against the criminal law. A member could not plead his Parliamentary privilege against an arrest for forgery, nor could a person convicted of an offence against tho laws of the country claim from his gaoler a respite of the sentence on the ground that the Queen's Proclamation had called him to Westminster to attend to his Parliamentary- duties. Mr. Parnell is in somewhat the same position as either of these persons would be. He is charged with a criminal offence, and, being before the court, is technically in custody. There is, however, quite enough in the point to give it a lively anticipatory interest, and to make the first few hours of the session anything but tam* if we are to have a discussion on privilege over what would be a second "arrest of the five members."

MR. CARBUTT. M.P. FOR NEWPORT. We are enabled to state, on good authority, that Mr. Carbutt, M.P. for the Monmouth Boroughs, has taken upon lease from the Misses Rous, of Court-y- Ralla, Glamorganshire, Llanwern House, four miles from Newport.

The Avenir d'Arras states that tho Channel Tunnel Company is about to sink a second shaft, for the purpose of sending down the plant neces- sary for the boring. In a prosecution for dog stealing, heard at the Middlesex Sessions on Wednesday, a lady stated that she had had dogs stolen ten times, and for their recovery had paid upwards of £100. The governors of Tamworth Grammar School have granted four scholarships, consisting of total exemption from payment of School fees to boys from public elementary schools in the borough of Tamwdrtb, or from Sir Robert Peel's school. It is hooed in this way greatly to assist .promising boys.

< THE EDUCATION EVIDENCE, BY NONCON. QUILL. Now that the Education Commission have reached South Wales, the public interest in the inquiry is daily increasing. I propose to-day to touch upon certain points in the evidence. The gentlemen who have written to the Western Mail on the question, demurring to my views, will please excuse me for not noticing their letters—when I am coursing hares, I never turn aside to catch moles. The Bishop of Bangor, in the evidence he gave at Aberystwith, showed great breadth of mind, considering his high ecclesiastical position and the great interests at stake—-Teat, at all events, to the Established Church. It appears that doles to the gross amount of £3,900 belong to the diocese of Bangor, to which, of course, the Church has a full and just right; but the Bishop generously signified his willingness that this handsome sum should be devoted to educational purposes. Moreover, when questioned as to the desirableness of a Welsh University, with power to grant degrees, though as an alumnus of one of the ancient universities, ind conse- quently very jealous of their dignity, yet, he de- clared he was not averse to a Welsh University, provided it bo written on it Send the fool fur- ther "—to Oxford or Cambridge. Considering his official position as the head of his diocese, the Bishop of Bangor showed great liberality of senti- ment. In fact, it is well known that tho Welsh bishops in both ends of the Principality are; broader than the rank and file of the clergy. The evidence of Principal Edwards, of Aberyst- with, will, doubtless, carry much weight, except where his own interests are involved. His proposal to establish a science college in Glamorganshire, and to confine proper university education to Aberystwith, has created no little astonishment among his friends as well as among his foes. Now, Glamorganshire is quite willing for Aberystwith to have a college, provided Aberystwith can guarantee an attendance, say,of 150 or 200 students. But common sense teaches that Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire must have a. college, where both the arts and sciences will be taught. If North Wales will rest satisfied with Aberystwith, all well and good; South Wales would probably let go their share in the building, but would doubtless cbim the bequests made to Aberystwith by certain South Wales gentlemen. But if North Wales will go in for a college within their own territory, as I think they ought, then will come to pass the prophecy of the Rev. Principal—the two will swamp tha one. Death will bo swallowed up in victory." Two or three items in the evidence of the ex- cellent Bishop of St. David's require a passing notice. He spoke about removing the celebrated Ystrad Meurig School either to Llanbadarn-fawr or Lampeter. Knowing Cardiganshire well, I should suggest its removal to Tregaron or Aberyst- with. By its removal to Tregaron it would be put down in the centre of a populous district—popu- lous, that is, as things go in Cardiganshire. But things don't go in Cardiganshire, they stand. "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be." Llanbadarn-fawrjjwould not, I judge, be suit- able, for many reasons which I need not here detail. Llanbadarn-fawr boys have always been going to school to Aberystwith, the distance being only a short mile; and if the Aberyst- with College be suppressed, as in all probability it will, a high grade grammar school will be an im- perative necessity, of which the present Yotrad Meurig School would form a splendid nucleus. The very rev. bishop took much the samd view of the university question as his brother of Bangor- Strange that we can tell beforehand what evidence certain gentlemen will give. If they be digni- taries of the Church, or headmasters in our great grammar schools, you can predict with the cer- tainty of mathimatical law that they will speak against a Welsh University—A fact which proves that the education problem is viewed ecclesiasti- cally, not nationa.Uy, or even educationally. When- over certain classes go unerringly in the same direc- tion, like swallow. to the South, it allows not the exercise of private judgment, but the influence of common interest. The sympathies subtly bias tha judgment, for it is unconsciously believed that it will be to the advantage of the Church that Welshmen should spend .<. few years in Oxford or Cambridge, where Church influences saturate the air and water, and where you arw in danger of mistaking university tSllbt-9 for TTWHRbrslty pro- fessors. But I believe the supposition is erroneous. I believe that a national university would prove a greater benefit to the Church of England than to any Nonconformist sect, for, as hinted by the learned Warden of Llandovery, it would give the future ministers of Dissent an opportunity to associate with the future ministers of the Establishment; and only a little acquaint tance is needed, ns I know from ex- perience, to rub off the angularities and tone down the acerbities which now unhappily prevail. However, Bishop Basil Jones expressed his willingness to widen the charter of Lampeter, provided due provision be made for theological training. In this concession I see the best solu- tion of the university problem for the population of Wales is too small to have two separate and in- dependent charters conferring degrees. The Rev. Principal Edwards referred to Durham as keeping -aloof from the Victoria. University; so might Lam- peter, without detriment to itself or to the national question, did Wales possess the population of the North of ^England. But, numbering as we do only a. million, all polls counted, let us lay- aside our sectarian jealousies and be united, if not in religion, in education. Principal Jayne bore brave tostimony to the natural abilities of Welshmen, though at the close he engaged in a discussion with Mr. Morris, the celebrated poet, respecting the accuracy of Welsh- men. Well, it must be admitted that the charge of general inaccuracy has been repeatedly brought against our nation. The houses and grounds are said to be allowed to remain in greater disorder than is tolerated among our English neighbours; if a Welshman puts a. tool from his hand, ten to ONE if he knows where to find it afterwards. The charge has been made against the Celtic people generally—Welsh, Irish, and Highlanders; and their inaccuracy in details has been attributed to their great imaginativeness. It is well-known that the chief defects in th*» education of Welsh theological students lie precisely here—their inaccuracy. Their knowledge extends over a vast range, but it is deficient in definiteness a.nd preci- sion. But this inaccuracy is not inborn in them. To children brought up in British and National Schools, where accuracy is a sine qud non of a successful examination, habits of mental and bodily precision become second nature. In the ancient Greeks we see combined grea.t imaginative- ness and great accuracy; the same sweet combina- tion may be brought about in the Celts. The inquiry at Carmarthen was, on the whole, thorough but I have space only to indicate one serious omission. I refer to the endowments of the so-called Presbyterian College. Now, it is well known that Dr.Williams, who left the endowment, was a sound Trinitarian, whose orthodoxy on all points of the Christian faith was above suspicion. But the Unitarians, simply by calling themselves Presbyterians, have tho sole manage- ment of the vast endowment. Several scholar- ships are given to students who wish to proceed to Glasgow. I see in Qymrxi, by Owen Jones, that £700 is distributed in Wales, and I kuow that about j650,000 was spent within the last few years in London on large buildings, which had better be spent on education in Wales. I have been further informed on good authority that various sums are distributed secretly in Wales, a.nd that the minister of tho strongest Welsh Congregational Church in our end of the Principality receives JE60 a year. I could say more, but I refrain. However, I will say that my impression for years has been that no endowment has been so grossly mismanaged as this, amd devoted to purposes so diametrically opposed to the wishes and faith of the good and great Dr. Williams, the one time minister of Hand Alley, Bishopsgate-street, London. I beg to direct the special attention of the Commissioners to the administration of this endowment before they leave Swansea, where, they -RILL find gentlemen who can enlighten them on the subject. Only two raasons have yet been brought forward against a Welsh University. First, that it will encourage the isolation of Welshmen, an isolation which English settlers among us, like th* R«v. Mr. Scott, M.A., headmaster of the Haverfordwest Grammar School, find uncomfortablo. But this isolation is none other than our nationality and, if it were desirable to crush it, which I seriously doubt, you will never do it by denying us full and perfect educational advantages. That is a mistake political Englishmen have alwayS committed in their government of Wales—trying to destroy our nationality by denying us civil and other advantages. But what is the result ? They have increased our isolation and intensified our nationalism. It is, however, a mistake which literary gentlemen like Mr. Scott should not fall into, a mistake against which their studies in Roman HISTORY should have guarded them. We are a I geparate nation, and it is no use legislating for us as if we were not; it is a fact-a fact which cannot be suppressed or denied, and the best way is to acknowledge the fact and act accordingly. if, may be very annoying to gentlemen like Mr. Scott to bs OBLIGED to livo among men so isolated and "narrow-minded;" men who avow thoy are Welshmen, and be- iisve God created them Welshmen. And really the best way to destroy our isolation is, not to send Wales to Oxford, but to bring Oxford to Wales- in other words, not to send our students to England for English culture, but to send for English culture to Wales. I claim I have as much sympathy with, and admiration of, the great English nation as Mr. Scott, not from living among them, which only made me more intensely national, but from reading English authors and throwing myself into the deep current of English literature. Have a complete system of education in Wales, thus turning the mighty stream of English thought on Welsh literature,- and thereby cleaning TIN Ægean stables, which sadly need washing, as every reader of Welsh-written news- papers knows. The other reason is—the inferiority of the hypo- thetical Welsh degree. Many Churchman urged this and among them the gentle and scholarly Dean of Llandaff. But don't they see that the argument cuts both ways ? If Welsh degrees will be utterly useless, what about the Lampetor degree ? Why be so anxious to maintain its charter intact when Welsh degre&s are so dis- graceful ? But I do not believe you, ye rev. and right rev. gentleman the Lampeter B.A. is, edu- cationally, equal to a corresponding pass de»ros in Oxford, and the professors, I believe, are, man for man, as distinguished for their scholarship and general ability as the professorial staff in Jesus College. The real value of the new university degree will depend upon the standard set up, and I trust it will not be lower but higher than its Oxford equivalent Let us have a standard equal to that of the Victoria University and then let who will declaim upon the worthlessness of our (legrees-it, will show their ignorance, not ours. It is high time the fictitious values of ordinary degrees from the older universities be exposed, and that can only be done by healthy competition by other and newer uni- versities. No doubt many advantages would accrue to a select few from a few years' residence in Oxford but I maintain that, to the nation at large, greater advantages will accrue from having two or three colleges within our own borders, affiliated in a University with power to grant degrees to deserving scholars, and only to de- serving scholars.

LORD AYLESFORD AND THE BAILIFFS. EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT PACKINGTON HALL. ALLEGED FRAUDULENT BILL OF SALE. At the Coleshill (Warwickshire) police-court, on Wednesday (before the Hon. C. L. Adderley, Dr. Kimbell, and Mr. William Lucy), Charles S. M. Cox, of Cartford Bridge, Kent, was summoned on the information of Heneage, Earl of Avlesford, for having, on the 24th of November, 1880, at the parish of Packington, in the county of Warwick, abetted, counselled, and procured one Clarridge, a sheriff's officer, and certain other officers, to the number of twenty and more, to commit a breach of the peace by then and there riotously assembling together for the purpose of unlawfully entering by force Packington Hall. There was a second summons charging the said defendant with having on the same date, at Pac- kington, with intend to defraud by a certain false pretence, to wit, that the said Lord Aylesford WAS in debt to Cox in the sum of j62,500 on a certain bill of sale, fraudulently caused and induced Lord Aylesford to execute and make a certain under- taking and balance security, no such sum being then and there due to the said Charles S. M. Cox. There was a third summons, on the information of Harry Burr, described as an agent, of Habberton- place, Cartford, Kent, charging the defendant with having incited certain persons, unknown, to un- lawfully assemble to commit a misdemeanour. Mr. J. P. Grain (Southeastern Circuit), and Mr. Tickell (Western Circuit), instructed by Messrs. Kay and Co., King-street. London, appeared for the prosecu- tion and Mr. Harris (Midland Circuit), instructed by Mr. George Readen, of Holborn, for the defence. Harry Burr was the first witness. He said on the 26th of November he was at Packington Hall at about five o'clock, when two persons came to the hall door and produced a piece of paper, bearing what appeared tlie signature of the defendant. The men said they had come iroma man, named Gilham, and wanted to deliver a basket. Witness replied that Lord Aylesford was .not at the hall and that, he was in authority. Ono,of the men then wanted witness to "square him," bending his head, and making motion* to him that he would tell him what he knew. Witness put his hand in his pocket, as if about to give him some- thing, when he said, It is not that; I come from Cox." Witness took good care not to open the door, this conversation taking place through a double window overlooking the lawn. Witness asked by what authority they came from Cox, and one of the men produced the' paper referred to. Witness replied that the paper was no authority, and ordered the men off. About twenty men then came close to the front door, and witness shut the window and -went round to the back door and round to the terrace with the gardener, until he came to some iron rails in the front of the house. While standing there the men all came to the iron gate, which was a sort of barrier between them. The men then began to talk, and say they were going to break in. The witness dared them to do 90, telling them they would do so at their peril, or words to that effect. They were nearly all speak- ing at once, but apparently under the authority of only one or two. The gardener opened J the 'gate, and witness, the gardener, and Mr. Cobbett went through. They shut the door and went towards the side door to a number of Lord Aylesford's men, who had been directed to be in attendance in case the, matter should take the course it did. As soon as they got through the gates the mob surrounded them, threatening to break in, and if not then at night. Witness got to the stables where William Bennett, the valet, with his lordship's servants, had been collected. His lordship's servants, who had now arrived upon the scene, numbered about eighteen, and. stood face to face with the strange mob, slightly exceed- ing that number. At this moment witness despatched a messenger on horseback to Coventry for a detachment of police. In cross-examination witness stated that he was an insurance agent, and hoped he was a great friend of Lord Aylesford's. He had been his lord- ship's guest. He insured for nearly all the insur- ance offices. and carried on business at 14, Water- loo-place. He liquidated about three years ago. He should not think it was within a year. He gave up his estate. He was owed about jE7,000, and gave that up. Did not know whether a dividend was paid, but one could have been paid.. In some matters he was in partnership with his (witness's) brother. Did not know that he had ever signed the same cheques as his brother. His brother and Cobbttt were, in a certain sepse, partners. Witness had never beeR clerk to his brother. He was not paid, but earned his own money, Cobbett and witness had signed cheques together. Cobbett was not a clerk with witness's brother, but on the same footing as witness. He and his brother negotiated loans for many thousand pounds, but did not lend money. The offices with which they negotiated were the North British, the Eagle, the Imperial, the Union, and many others. In further cross-examination the witness said he negotiated a loan for the Earl of Aylesford, in partnership with his brother, but not' long ago. Witness was not in partnership with his brother in all the loans negotiated with Lord Aylesford. Would not swear that he had not negotiated so far back as December, 1879. In the course of a long discussion between the respective learned counsel and the magistrates, Mr. Harris said defendant would enter Packington Hall, seize the furniture, and sell it under the bill of sale, on the first opportunity, unless Lord Aylesford paid the money. The bill of sale was negotiated by the Earl of Aylesford with the witness's brother, and the witness himself was a party. Mr. Harris afterwards produced what purported to be a bill of sale for £ 2,250, given by his lordship to Cox. The production of the docu- ment caused quite a scene in court. Mr. Grain said Mr. Harris knew that the bill of sale was cancelled by a. subsequent bill of sale. The last of the series of bills of sale, and the only one upon which anyone could have entered Pack- ington-hall on the 26th of November was in the possession of the Earl of Aylesford's solicitor. The billof sale produced by the defence was only wriste paper, and was a fraudulent document. At this stage, the case, which lasted the whole day, was adjourned.

LOCAL PATENITS. This list of patents is specially compiled for the Western Mail by Messrs. Dss Voeux and Colton, patent soliciwrs and engineers, 32. Southampton- buildings, London, W.C., and 17, Fern-torrace, Swansea, of whom aU information, including pamphlets of instructions, may be obtained. APPLICATIONS. Edward Andrew Parnell, Swansea, and Andrew French, Llansaxnlet: Improvements in obtaining sulphate of zinc and oxide of zinc from cupreous ores, and in furnaces for smelting such ores, Rnd for other like purposes. GRANT OF PROVISIONAL PROTECTION. I Charles Jones and John Dowle Jones, Swansea: An improved machine or apparatus to be employed for the utilisation of steel rail ends. William Henry Nevill, Ferrysidc Improvements in the. process of annealing iron and steel, for the manufac- ture of tin-plate, and for ocher purposes. Jas. Robert Leaver, Swansea Improvements in the manufacture of artificial fuel. NOTICE TO PROCEED. Alexander Reid Molison, Swansea, science teacher Improved apparatus for drawing the curves known as Lissagous curves." PATENT SEALED. William Henry Nevill, Fen-yside Improvements in the method of, andlpparatus for, working iron shearings produced in the manufacture of sheet iron for tin-plates, and for other purposes.

On: lilednesday James Holt, horse dealer, and Henry Schole, farmer, were indicted at the Salford Hundred Sessions^for having cut the throat of a cow belonging to William Thompson, of Oldham. The prisoners were found guilty, and sentenced each to seven years' penal servitude and seven I year.«R**ilice supervision. I

I EDUCATION fN WALES. INQUIRY AT CARMARTHEN. The Departmental Committee on Higher and In- termediate Education in Wales resumed its sittiag at Carmarthen on Tuesday mornisg. Lord Aber- dare presided, aad there were present—Lord Emlyn, M.P., Canon Robinson, Mr. Lewis Morris, Professor Rhys, and Mr. Henry Richard, M.P. The following gentlemen were among others who gavrs evidenceDr. Hught's, Dr. Vance Smith, Professor Morgan, Mr. William Spurreil, J.P., Mr. Herbert Smifli, the Hey. John Lewis, the Rov. Joseph Evans, and Archdeacon James. Abergwili.

INQUIRY AT HAVERFORDWEST. The Departmental Committee on higher and intermediate education in Wales sat in the Shire- hall, Haverfordwest, on Wednesday. Lord Aber- dare presided. THORE were present Lord Emlyn, Canon Robinson, Mr. Lewis Morris, Professor Rhys, and Mr. H. Richard, M.P. Lord Kensington introduced a. deputation of gentlemen who were prepared to give evidence. Among those who gave evidence or spoke upon the subject of education in Wales, were the Rev. Win. Scott, M.A., Lord Aberdare, Lord Emlyn, Canon ROBIN^ Professor Rhys, Mr. H. Richard, the Rev. Dr. Davies, Mr. Lewis Morris, Mr. William Bowen Rowlands, Mr. Gownrd, the Rev. John Boaden, Mr. Henry Davies, Mr. Ellis, the Dean of St. David's, Air. Robert George, and Archdeacon Lewis.

THE CYMMRODORION SOCIETY. A meeting of the council was hsld on Wednes- day last at, Lonsdale Chambers, Chancery-lane, London, when the chair was occupied by the Rev. John Davies, M.A., of Hampstead. This being the opening meeting of the council for the present year, the first business was the election of its chair- man. In (a highly eulogistic speech, Mr. Hugh Owen proposed the re-election of Mr. Stephen Evans, who had proved himself during many years of office in troublous times a warm and zealous friend of the society. Now that the Cymmrodorion Society had reached the calm seas of prosperity, he (Mr. Owen) thought that, as regarded business ability and care for the society's interests, they could never secure a gentleman as chairman of their council meeting who would surpass, or even equal, Mr. Stephen Evans. He (Mr. Owen), therefore, proposed the re-el;tetion of Mr. Stephen Evans. This was seconded by Mr. Joseph Edwards, and carried nem. con. It was also resolved, that the cordial thanks of the council be presented to Mr. Evans for his services in the past. A letter from Sir Watkin Wynn was then read by the secretary, in which the worthy baronet signified his readiness to subscribe to the fund which is being raised to defray the cost of striking the die of the society's medal. A promise of the like nature had also been received from the Earl of Powis. The Secretary notified that Mr. Alexander J. Ellis, the president of the Philological Society, had kindly promised to read a paper before the Cymmrodorion, at an early date. Ten gentlemen, having been duly proposed and seconded, were elected members of the society. Dr. Isambard Owen, M.A., one of the editors of 1 Cymmvodor, announced that the next number would be ready in January. It 'ill contain a paper by his Highness Prince Louis Lucion Bona- parte on the pronunciation of the Sassarese dialect of Sardinia, and the points cf resemblance it pre- sents to that of the Celtic tongues. Mr. Howell W. Lloyd will contribute a paper on Welsh books, printed on the Continent in the 16th and 17th cen- turicX TH* number will also contain a paper by Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., on Welsh ethnology, and tho presidential address, which was written by Mr. Lewis Morris for the sectional meetings held during the last eisteddfod at Carnarvon. There will be, in addition to these papers, the contributions of the editors, editorial notes on the eisteddfodau of 1880, reviews, notices, and re-productions of several old Welsh manuscripts from various hands.

THE BIRMINGHAM MURDER. A VICTIM OF POLITICAL REVENGE. A Birmingham correspondent telegraphs that the murder of John Gately, labourer, at Solihill, on Sunday last now appears to have been insti- gated by political revenge. Deceased, in conver- sation before he died, said he was not a member of any political society, but a book has been found at his lodgings containing a list of subscriptions to the Irish Land League. His possession of this book was known to several persons, and he had re- cently expressed his intention of severing his connection with the association, and it is suggested that lie was tracked and murdered by a former associate. The murderer was unaccompanied, the two men who were supposed to be his confederates, being fellow-workmen of deceased. They say they left the house because the priest who was sum- moned would not let anyone remain with deceased, and they had work to do. The murderer probably intended to leave the yard by a back door, but found it locked, and had to pass through several customers, who had heard the shot. He ran down a road, missing the railway station. It is stated that a man answering his description recently called two or three times where deceased was employed, and the description closely re- sembles that of the man who committed an equally mysterious murder at Sheffield. There appears slight probability of his being detected. It is supposed that he had a vehicle waiting in the YIPI^ITY- tp AAPvey liim to Birmingham.

SUICIDE IN A BALL ROOM. The Paris correspondent of the Times s?ys:— At a ball at Sellwarzenburg, Saxony, a young man entered having what appeared to be a cigar in his mouth. He went to the chandelier as if to light it, and a terrible explosion ensued. The lights were extinguished, THO walls partly gave way, dancers of both sexes were covered with blood, and the young man was blown to pieces. He had resolved on committing suicide, and had adopted a dynamite cartridge for that purpose.

ANOTHER VITRIOL DRAMA. The Daily Telegraph correspondent at Paris, writing on Wednesday night, says:—Another vitriol throwing case has happened in Paris, the victims being A faithless husband and his mistress, and the avenger, of course, a jealous wife. A M. Guillet had for some short time been living apart from his wife with a girl residing in the neigh- bourhood, and the couple were sitting on Tuesday afternoon in a cafe in the Champs Elys6e, when Madame Guillet suddenly appeared on the scene. She approached hor husband, and demanded money for the support of her children. The reply not being to Madame Guillet's satisfaction, she drew a bottle of vitriol from her pocket, and threw part of the contents in the face of her husband and in that of the girl. Several people at once attempted to seize the woman, and in the struggle a good deal of vitriol was thrown about in all directions, Madame Guillet herself receiving some of it in her face. All three are badly disfigured.

THE NORTH-EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY AND THE CLEVELAND DISTRICT. It is an undeniable fact that the Cleveland dis- trict is the great source from which the dividends of the North-Eastern Railway come. The enormous mineral traffic caused by the iron and coal trades has no equal. From time to time, as trade has fluctuated, the North-Eastern Company have en- deavoured to meet the necessities of the largest iron-producing district in the world. It is now stated officially that the drawback on ironworks traffic which the company have been allowing will be discontinued at the end of this year, and that given rates, without any rebate, will be charged by the company. The rebate now allowed is under- stood to be per cent, on the account. This, ol course, means that the basis of rate for the tramc in question is too high. On the-receipt ot the revised rates which the iron trade is lookmg for- ward to it is hoped the REMOVAL of the rebate will be no disadvantage "to the freighters. There is reason for believing that the revised rate will be equivalent to about 5 per cent. reduction, instead 6f the 71 per cent. rebate.

GALE'S GREAT~WALK. Gab has continued to progress most satis- factorily. At noon on Monday 930 miles were registered In his favour. A fair sprinkling, of spectators paid gate, and interest in the big walk is certainly increasing. Oncc during the early morning IK-, gave his attendants some trouble by a return of histoid feeling, but a word from Tom Griffiths, one of the judges, put him right. Tho weather continues very mild and fine, which is very favourable to the pedestrian. At ten o'clock on Monday night- he completed 955 miles. Punctual as clockwork Gale appears on the track, in capital form, During tho night he was somewhat drowsy and irritable, but nevertheless he keeps the average pace for his journey. Shortly before four o'clock on Tuesday he completed 1,000 miles, in 400 hours from t he start. A fair number of spectators were present, and loudly applauded the plucky little man. Thus far this performance far exceeds any trial OF endurance ever yet, attempted. Mr. Gregory. Mayor of Tenby, paid a visit to the pedestrian <>U Tueeday. Interest in the affair is greatly increasing. The excitement of Tuesday afternoon had the effect of making Gale very drowsy during the early morn, but his progress is still in every way satis- e factory. At noon on Wednesday he had com- pleted 1,050 miles. There was a good attendance of spectators in the afternoon, and a bet of .£110 to £ 80 was laid against the pedestrian accomplishing his task. Shortly before ten o'clock on Wednesday night he completed 1,076! miles, going freely and in capital form. The average time for each journey is still about 21 minutes.

The annual conference of the Poor-law Guar- dians was held on Wednesday at ths offices of the London School Board, A butcher in Edinburgh has opened a Repub- lican soup kitchen" as a profitable mode of giving expression to his political opinions. Two special trains left Ross-shire on Wednes- day morning with cattle for the London Cattle Market. The trains consisted of 70 trucks, and carried 500 head of prime cattle. George West, a prisoner under remand for obtaining zC26 under false pretences and forgery, made his escape about six o'clock on Wednesday- evening from a cell at the Clewer station of the Berkshire Constabulary, by picking the lock of the door. Messrs. J. R. Parkington and Co. state that the shipments of port for November amount to 4,260 pipes (2,366 pipes were for Great, Britain), making an aggregate for the eleven months of 56,843 pi pes, as compared with 44,040 pipes in 1879. The ship- ments of sherry for November amount to 3,301 butts from Jerez-de-la-Frontera, and 732 butts from Port St. Mary, making a total of 4,033 butts, and for the eleven months of 48,199 butts, against 43,704 butts ia 187Q

DISTRICT. The Rev. Edward Greenhow, M.A.,lata inspector of schools in the diocese of Llandaff, lias been ap- pointed vicar of North (iosford, iitur Newcasuie-un- Tyne.

GENERAL. The Eank rate is advanced to 3 per cent. As soon as Endymion" passe-, through the censor's hands at St. Petersburg it will appear in four separate translations in tile Russian language. Mr. Plimsoll's election expenses at Liverpool last August, when lie was defeated by Lord Claud John Hamilton, amounted to .£4,000. It is stated that a team of Canadian la crosse players will probably visit England during the spring and summer of 1831. Sir John Ramsden, M.P., has just granted to his tenants in Badonoch and Lochaber the full benefit of the Ground Game Act, except, of course, in cases whfii-J shooting leases are current. The Monuruj Post states that it has good authority for asserting that during the past year the Porte has not only paid oil £1,000,000 of its floating debt in hard cash, but that by the end of the year the Ottoman Bank will have in its pos- session £ 500,000 at the disposal of the bond. holders. Letters per the Orient line steamer Orient, from Australia via Naples, were delivered on Wednesday morning, in 31 days and a half, being seven daya within the postal contract time, and the quickest on record. A farmer named Davis is ia custody charged with the outrage on Police-constable Cairns, at Llanbadarn, on Monday night, when Cairns was stabbed with a salmon spear, his arm broken, and other injuries inflicted. A farmer named Con noH, who, after being ejected from his farm at Anghrin, near Charleville, emi- grated to America, has written to the local Land League secretary, intimating his intention of re- turning and claiming his farm, in accordance with the Land League rules. About 100 men assembled at Tanlought, Wex- ford, on Wednesday,(where a meet was arranged, and ordered Mr. Beatty, master of the Wexford hounds, off the field, saying that he should not hunt without the Land League's permission. The Central News Dungannon correspondent telegraphs that Graham, alias Gormley, was arrested late on Wednesday night for the murder of the bailiff Mulholland. The murderer's name is David, not Daniel, and he is generally known as Gormley. Mr. John Bright has engaged rooms at the Shandon Hydropathic Establishment, Gareloch, Dumbartonshire, and is expected there towards the end of the month. A serious fire occurred on Thursday morning at the Bankfield Mills, Stockport, belonging to Mr. Walmsley. A part of the building was destroyed. The damage is estimated at between £20,000 and £30,000.. The Jumna reached Portsmouth on Thursday morning from Bombay, two days late, bringing: part of the 5th Regiment.

FOREIGN. The navigation of the Baltic is closed. The G erman military estimates to be submitted to the Federal Council are stated to show a further increase amounting to 30,000,000 marks. The public in Germany are said to be eagerly taking up the scheme for making a canal through I. the Isthmus of Panama. Already about 13,000,000 marks have been subscribed in Berlin. The Secretary to the United States Navy has accepted the chairmanship of the Panama Canal Company. The subscriptions at New York for the first day are reported to have reached 36,000 shares chiefly in small lots. A fatal duel has been fought at Algiers, between M. Marcillett, manager of a Bonapartist paper, and M. Prat, a Republican lawyer. The latter was killed on the spot. A number of irregulars have left Natal for ser- vice in the Basuto War. A company of the third battalion 60th Rifles has been sent to St. John's River to strengthen the garrison there. Count Arnim is at Nice, confined to his bed and unable to receive visitors. About 3,000 Chevaliers of the Order of St.George were present on Wednesday at the annual celebra- tion in the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg. A telegram dated New York, Dec. 9, says :-An explosion "has occurred at the steam sawmill Wendell, Massachusetts, causing the death of seven persons. A "Reutei's" telegram, dated Allahabad, Dec 9, says:—The feverish symptoms attending the Viceroy's indisposition are abating, although his Excellency is still unable to move without assis- tance.

LLANDAFF BIBLE READINGS. The Dean of Llandaff will give the last public Bible reading of his present course next Monday evening, at eight o'clock, IIJI the Prebendal House, near Llandaff Cathedral.

THE IMPRISONMENT OF MR. DALE. PROCEEDINGS IN THE QUEEN'S BENCH. Iii. the Queen's Bench Division on Monday the case of the Queen v. Dale came on for hearing, before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Field and Manisty. Mr. Dale was in court. Mr. Charles, Q.C., said he had to move for the discharge from custody of the Rev. T. PelHam Dale. The grounds, shortly, were that the process of contempt resorted to by the learned judge under the Public Worship Act, 1874, could not, in this cose, be legally applied; that tho sentence of inhibition for dis- obedience was final, and no proceed- ings could be taken to enforce it under the Act George III., and that the requisite monition and the inhibition were respectively bad on the face of them. He maintained that the learned judge had not complied with the requisite preliminaries to enable him to execute the office of official prin- cipal of the Arches Court of Canterbury, and that the writ of contumacy was bad and insufficient. He held that the Act did not authorise imprison- ment. The learned counsel had not concluded his arguments on these points when the court rose, and Mr. Dale was accordingly returned in custody to Holloway Gaol. b In the Queen's Bench Division, on Wednesday, Dr. Phillimore, continuing his argument, proceeded to contend that the various writs and documents in the case were not valid, inasmuch as they were not in accordance with the language of the body of the statute. He further submitted that Lord Penzance, not having taken the oaths and signed the articles as official principal under the 127th Canon, was not qualified to hear and determine this case. At the rising of the court the arguments were not Concluded, and Air. Dale was returned to gaol. The Dale case was resumed on Thursday, the Solicitor-General continuing the arguments for Lord Penzance. The Court, intimatingthatthey were with him on the matter of canons and prelimi- naries to becoming official principal, the learned counsel urged that frequently patrons changed livings, and if there was no power to enforce inhi- bition clergymen might arrange so as to defy all monitions issued. Mr. Wills then followed on the same side, dealing with the question whether the order made in this case was enforcible by writ of contumacy, and whether tho writ was properly issued into the sheriff's hands. Mr. Jeune fol- lowed, and the case was adjourned till Friday.

RITUALISTIC PROSECUTIONS. The arguments on the application for the dis. charge of the Rev. T. Pelham Dale were resumed in the Queen's Hench on Tuesday. Mr. Charles, Q.C., continued his argument in support of the application, contending that the writ of contu- macy should have been brought into the Court of Justice before its issue. Mr. Poland followed on the same side, submitting that Lord PeMance had no jurisdiction under the statute unless he were put in motion by an archbishop. Dr. Phillimore was heard to a similar effect; and, the arguments not being concluded when the court rose, Mr. Dale was again returned to custody. During his incarceration in Warwick Gaol, the Rev. Mr. Enraght has written a. pamphlet, entitled "My Ordinatiun Vows: Have I Kept ThemV* which will shortly be published.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT PORTSMOUTH. A meeting CALLED at Portsmouth on Tuesday night in support of ■» protest against tlie imprison- ment of the Revs. Pelham Dale and Enraght re- sulted in great uproar. The first resolution, sym- pathising with tht, imprisoned Ritualists, met with great dissatisfaction, and this WAS increased by. the refusal to allow an amendment to lie proposed. An attempt, to collar an obstructionist led to a rush to the platform, and the ladies beat a precipi* tatc retreat. An attempt to sing a hymn WAD overpowered by the opposition singing God Save t HP Queen," and loud and continued Orangn tire." THE Kev. A. M. Dale, son of the imprisoned rector, tried to speak, amid cries of "Go witJj your father," and GROANS.

M the Liverpool police-court, on Wednesday, a marine store dealer named Grimes was fined £ S and costs for purchasing 22 00;)1 bags which had been stolen. Sir Trevor Lawrence, M-P, speaking at th, dinner of the Reigate Agricultural Society on Wednesday, said as regards the malt tax it was difficult. to find two farmers who thought alike but the Ground Game Aut was appreciated by J classes