Weekly Mail

TIDE TABLE. FOB THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 12, 1884. 5 X S3 Jjt X — aq x S DAY? OF YSB week. ,2j* >-5 o 3Q Z o"3 5$1 3 I J x« 5 5 51 i Morning 7 42 7 31 6 31 7 25 8 38 SATUBDY J Evening 7 56 7 60 6 50 7 44 8 57 ) Height 35 5 j_55 5 j_32 4 56 8 27 11 i Morning 8 18 o 3 7 9 8 3 9 16 SUSIDAY Evening 8 3-t 8 23 7 28 8 22 9 35 } Height 34 3,'35 4 33 1 37 5 29 2 i Morning 8 56 8 46 7 47 S 41 9 53 MoJiDJLV.< Evening 9 11 9 3 8 4 8 58 10 10 ( Height 3* 3 38 9 33 1 37 3 29 <S TMormng 9 32 9 22 8 23 9 17 10 29 Tvxsda'? < Evening 9 50 9 41 8 44 9 38 10 48 ) Height 33 6 36 3 32 5 36 3 29 1 r>iorning 10T3 9 53 9 5 9 59 11 6 WEBUBT.v Evening 10 32 10 19 9 27 10 21 11 26 d Height J 31 II 35 0 31 3 34 6 27 8 i Morning 10 53 10 38 9 49 10 4 ■> 11 THUBSDT < Evening 11 15 10 59 10 12 11 6 — I Height 29 5 33 0 h9 7 32 1 25 4 (Adorning 11 39 11 22 lb 37 11 3l 12 6 FRIDAY. V Evening — 11 £ 0 11 8! *2 29 } Heisrht 25 7 30 6 27 6 29 8 22 5

¡ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1884. NOTES OF THE WEEK. BY OUR LONDOV AND PROVINCIAL CURSESPONDENTS.) The open confession" following, by a correspondent who has learned the secret of taking it out of both sides, is made in the present week's Train. Demonstrations," he says, are still the thing for a man who does not want work. I am in for several next week, and I intend to attend them, and why not? If I pic-nic with the wife of my bosom, that Rabelaisian quart d'heure' comes in, but on these occasions I am freer than the air, for I can drink without bothering with the waiter. We have meetings and demon- strations on the brain just now. I will speak of two at which I have assisted-that, I think, is the French for it. We attended in num- bers at one in Camberwell, at which, including the office boy, there were live of us present. Nevertheless, one of us moved, and another seconded, a vote ot confidence in the Marquess of Salisbury and his policy this the office boy supported, and then the whole meeting adjourned to the next hostelry in a hansom cab, but I paid for nothing. The next night I was on another meeting. After the report of the foregoing had appeared in the press, the Liberal de- termined upon a counter demonstration, and we attended in numbers counting the old lady who takes care of the place ana at the same time snuff we were six, all told. We unanimously carried a resolution, which the (office keeper hearcily supported, condemna- tory of Lord Salisbury, and in favour of the G. 0. M. This time we adjourned in a four- wheeler, which held the whole meeting. Comment is needless; ouly I hope there are not many more such clever men about. Talking is so much easier than working, in the House of Commons as elsewhere. Mr. Guinness Rogers has made a curious analysis of this in his paper on Chatter v. Work in Parliament" in the "lneteenth Century, where the loquacious Commoners are divided into sections as first, seoond, and third class delinquents," a title which will stick to them henceforth. Mr. Rogers makes out that during last year, including all kinds of ques- tions, there were 9,ool speeches delivered by the representatives of the people. This calculation excludes the two front benches of the Parnellites, a host in themselves. The Conservative and Liberal parties are evenly balanced in this wordy warfare, 67 per cent. of the former having spoken, as against 68 per cent. of the latter. Liberals delivered 4,595 speeches; Conservatives 4,056. Nor are the personal returns less interest- ing to the collector of odd statistics. No one will be surprised to hear that Mr. Warton heads the list of first-class delinquents" with a total of 326 utterances, or more than one speech per day all through the year, in- cluding thirteen Sundays. This performance is followed by Sir H. Drummond Wolff with 283, Lord Randolph Churchill 253, Mr. J. E. Gorst 241, and Mr. H. Labouchere 205 times. The second-class delinquents include Mr. Ash- mead-Bartlett, Mr. C. E. Lewis, Sir G. Campbell, Mr. Barclay, Mr. Onslow, Sir TVr. arttelot, Mr. Cowen, Sir John Hay, and Mr. Chaplin. The 56 most frequent speakers are further divided as follows :—Thirty-two Con- servatives with 3,652 orations; 24 Liberals, 2,300; a fair average all through. Now, can anybody tell me how much good all this chatter has done? Don't all speak at once, please. Yon do not hear so much of the political parson as you used to do. To make up for this, there are political Dissenting ministers in abundance. Indeed, I scarcely think Non- conformity would thrive at all without a large leaven of Radicalism, and perhaps a soupçon of Communism. After much trial and tribulation the Swansea Liberals, as you know, have screwed their courage to the sticking point, and have decided on Saturday to demonstrate against the House of Lords. They have approached the consideration of the subject all through with much fear and trepi- dation, but they are still, apparently, far from being confident of the results. They have, therefore, hit upon a device which they hope will swell the numbers of those attending the meeting to something like respectable propor- tions. It consists in sending round a circular to be read, like a prayer for fine weather, or another for deliverance from famine and plague, from the pulpits of the various Non- conforming places of worship in the town. The document reads thus :—" We enclose a notice of the Liberal demonstration on Satur- day next, and shall be much obliged if you will annouace it to your congregation, and press them to attend." And this is the pre- cious epistle to the brethren which has emanated from the Executive of the Swansea Liberal Club, and was read in the Dissenting places of worship on Sunday. I cannot contemplate without alarm the condition of our Radical friends if such a circular had been promulgated in the churches of the Establishment at the dictation of a; political association. The alarm would not be on my own account, but theirs; for I con- clude there would be a considerable amount of spontaneous or other kind of combustion going about. A correspondent, commenting upon the latest issue from the literary cabinet of the Liberal Association, writes:— "What the distinctive tenets of Calvinistio Methodism have to do with the action of the House of Lords is not clear; but it i» pretty certain the Park-street congregation over House of Lords is not clear; but it i. pretty certain the Park-street congregation over which Dr. Saunders presides will have got; their marching orders nolens miens before your next issue. As for that other great gun, I Dr. Reea, if he won't allow one of his own oongregatioD to differ from him on such a question as the use of envelopes, it can't be expected that he will tolerate differences of thinking in a lord, much less a whole House full of them." I Y ou may take my word for it that a Tele- phone Exchange for Cardiff is now within a measurable distance of becoming un fait ac- compli. A year or more ago it would have been started but for red-tape and a little quiet obstinacy on the part of Mr. Fawcett. The Postmaster-General has just noti- fied the various telephone companies that he is prepared to issue licences in conformity with the concessions offered by him in the debate upon the Post- office Telegraphs Vote at the beginning of last month. For some time the Post-office has enjoyed the monopoly of telephone business, secured to it by an Act of Parliament made long before the wonderful instrument was thought of. Mr. F&wcett has now aban- doned his claim for a £10 royalty on private as well as trunk wires, and he gives permission to the telephone companies to connect their systems with the post-offices, so that subscribers may transmit messages direct from their own telephones without extra charge. I think further concession might have been made, considering the im- portant part the telephone plays in commercial life. 1 suppose, however, we must be thankful for small mercies, especially when we have a professedly Liberal Government in office. The conductors of your Cardiff contempo- rary, who so incontinently prick up their ears at the music of the pibrooh, and who, in all probability, break into the Highland fling every time they hear the drone o the bag- pipes, wrote in the leading column on Monday of garden party-nick-named a Conserva- tive demonstration." This is, of course, a rude plagiarism of Lord Salisbury's now famous epigram; but to me it does appear strange—well, I qualify the sentence, and say it would appear strange in any other quarter —that Liberal writers should gibe at Conser- vatives for mixing politics and pleasure. hat have the Radicals done just lately at liiackwood, Tredegar, L'ontypool, and other places, where thousands of holiday makers were gathered together, not to hear the speakers, for that a tithe or them could not do, but to enjoy themselves in various ways ? There is anguish in the heart of Lawson, the head of Dillwjn droupeth low, and the righteous souls of Labouchere and Bradlaugh are sore vexed, and all because the Grand old Man means to enlarge the House of Lords instead of demolishing it. They had fondly hoped that his love of trea-felling would have conquered all other considerations, and that he would have laid the axe to the root of the Hereditary Chamber and have hewn it down as a cumberer of the ground. But they were mistaken. The woodman is minded to plant and not to destroy. If Mr. Gladstone should insist upon the creation of some new peers, as it is pro- bable he will, he will cut the ground from under the feet of the Peoples' League, for the present at any rate. This is not appreciated by the more violent Radicals, I can assure you, who are now almost as angry with Mr. Gladstone as he is with Lord Salisbury. Mr. Michael Davitt's book, Leaves from a Prison Diary; or Lectures to a Solitary Audience," is expected to appear early this month, and is awaited with great interest by politiciansof all grades. The promised contents of the work are di versified enough to satisfy a good many different tastes. i here is a spice of poetry in the conception of the hrst part, which takes the form of a monologue on traits of criminal character addressed to a tame blackbird, by whose com- panionship the author was cheered in Portland Prison. The other features of the book will be sketches of prison life, inter- mingled with chapters on the nume- rous social problems of our age. I hear that the Castle system of government in Ireland will come in for some hot and heavy words. I commend Mr. Davitt's caution in publishing his book simultaneously here and in the United States, the only means by which his copyright can be protected. It will hardly surprise many of your readers to learn that the Liberation Society is disappointed with the results of its campaign in South Wales in the spring of the year. The executive bad been led to believe, in consequence of the reports of over-zealous Disseuters, that the people of the Principality were pretty well unanimous in their desire for Disestablishment and Disendowment, and that it only wanted the matoh to be applied to set the place in a blaze. The latter tigtire of speech has verified itself, with this difference, that the tire has burnt the wrong way, as the Liberationists think. Very few of the meetings were a success as com- pared with those held by the Church Defence Association. Even amongst Nonconformists there was a glaring lack of unity on the ques- tion, so that the Liberation Society is not in- clined to try a repetition of the experi- ment this winter. Mr. John Jones, Felin- foel, will, therefore, have to stump the country on his own hook if he is as sin- cere as he would have us believe he is. I am informed that the treasurer of the Liberation Society is bitterly disappointed at. the purely spiritual view of the matter which the Welsh Dissenters have taken. Subscriptions have not been forthcoming to the tune anticipated, and at this the society is very wroth. It is scarcely necessary for me to inform your readers that the present Government is a very economical one. I he Mahdi of Mid- lothian the other night prided himself on the improvement he had effected in the finances of the country. I sincerely hope economy has not speit meanness, and that a saving disposition is not indicative of neglected obligations and a want of thought for the imperial interest of the kingdom. For the edification of those who are continually chanting the praises of those who do the Radical financing, let me tell you a fact, which is beyond controversy. The Crown has lately had a windfall in the shape of the unclaimed estates, of of a Mrs. Blake. A surviving friend and companion put in a claim for some articles of jewellery which were in the deceased lady's care, and which were valued at less than £50 sterling. The Treasury is satisfied of the bona Jules of the claim, but it declines to concede it, shielding itself behind the Statute of Limitations. I call this downright mean. Here is a development of thought-reading by Mr. S. D. Day in Family Magazine for this month, which may not be without interest at the present moment:—Nor is mental transfer confined to the reproduction of impulses and mind-pictures, but in the same manner pains and tastes can be trans- ferred from the operator to the percipient. This is generally done in a state of trance, but I carried out a most successful series of experi- ments a few months ago with my subject in a normal waking condition, and without contact. I pinched my right leg; subject at once rubbed the identical spot on his own leg. I nipped my left arm; the exact place was at once in- dicated by the subject on his own arm. I then gave my left leg two consecutive pinches, and afterwards bit my lower lip, both of which results were immediately and accu- rately described by my subject. In fact, the experiments were altogether most successful, and 1 did not experience a single failure." I am told by a resident of Castletown that the number of tramps passing to and fro be- tween Newport and Cardiff is something immense. He put the figures at several hundreds, and as I have no means of testing his statement I cannot call it in question. I know, however, from personal experience, that the genus rogue and vagabond abounds in the locality indicated. I know, too, it is insolent and exacting where it can be. The police even are sometimes defied. At the Newport Police Court to-day there was a large batch of vagrants to be dealt with magiste- rially, and one among the number was charged with assaulting and attempting to choke a remonstrating constable. The fellow was sent to prison for fourteen d-iys. I suppose he would have been hung if he had succeeded in his effort. Circumstances alter cases. A few years ago much regret was felt by the vocalists of the "hills in consequence of losing from amongst them" Caradog," the well-known choral leader, who had left the populous Khonddafor Llanybyàder, Cardian- shire. I am glad to announce that, although the salubrious air of Cardi-land has re-invigo- rated" Caradog," he has decided to retire from his professional calling altogether, and take up his residence in the neighbourhood of Cardiff. No doubt the inhabitants of the Welsh metropolis will welcome amongst them the winner of the Crystal Palace Challenge Cup. A novel point was decided by the Ponty- pridd magistrates to-day. A landlord was summoned for having his house open for the sale of drink, the circumstances being that a bond traveller purchased a bottle of rum and took it out of the house. The magistrates convicted, and I agree with them, whatever I may think of the Welsh Sunday Closing Act. You see, if a bona Jide traveller can purchase liquor in a licensed house and take it outside to his friends, who may not come under the same designation as himself, there is no tell in tr what abuses might not creep in. By a I, private arrangement, a kind of deferred pay- ment, he might regale a whole parish on Sundays, and snap his finger at the authori- ties who are charged with carrying out tile Act. Mr. Wihon Barrett deserves the thanks of us all for his endeavours to place high histrionic art upon its proper pedestal. He has talents of the very highest order, and his thorough grasp of what the public require- ments are and his indomitable energy and capacity for work mark him out as a leader among leaders. Referring to the promised revival at the Princess's Theatre of Hamlet" with this actor in the title role, Modern Society says it means much to every sincere supporter of the stage; to Mr. Wilson Barrett it naturally signifies a vast deal more —indeed, everything. By its means he is either destined to take the one last step that remains to land him on the very pinnacle of dramatic fame, or falling even but a little short to do incalculable injury to his chance of ever becoming—who knows 'i—England's representative actor. As 1 hinted a few weeks since, London is at the eve of a theatrical battle—bloodies; carried on in a good spirit, and creditable to all faithfully concerned; but yet a battle. Persons who have already formed their opinions are ranging themselves on this side or on that. Who shall be leader—Henry Irving or Wilson Barrett ? This is the cry. It is not for me to suggest whose will be the victory." I "had the pleasure on Saturday of having half an hour's conversation with Father Ignatius at his monastery at Llanthony. He is still persuaded that he has a mission to fulfil in the world, and that he is doing the right thing in establishing a branch of the Benedictine Brotherhood in the Black Moun- tains. He is full of energy still, but there now and then passed over his pale, ascetic face a pained expression as though he had some great trouble to contend with. 1 know that the breach in their rela- tions which has taken place between him and his father has been a sore trial to him, but I think Ignatius has decidedly the best of the quarrel as it stands. The recently-made-public assertion of Mr. Lyne that his son had caused his mother many years of agony before her death by his erratic conduct does not at all tally with a number of letters I have seen from father to son, and the only way I can account for the former's present antipathy to his offspring is that his great age and failing faculties have rendered him somewhat oblivious of the past. I ventured to suggest to Father Ignatius that his monks might be doing higher work by being permitted to missionisè-as the father does himself—outside the precincts of the monastery in which by their vows they have to stay but this is not at all his opinion. He declares there is at the present time a paramount necessity for special and con- tinuous intercessory prayer for the outside world. Some of your readers may not be aware, perhaps, that night and day, from year's end to year's end, prayers are before the altar, and that there is never a moment in the twenty-four hours during which the monks in the sacred and the nuns in the secu- lar portions of the church cease to recite prayers, both for themselves and their fellov.creatures. Is it not singular that of all those who are said to have seen the appari- tion of the Virgin only the father himself remains at the monastery ? This I heard from his own lips. It rather grieved him, because he seemed to feel that those who had seen such a manifestation should have no other idea than that of continuous service to the Master. It is considered a bit mean to charge per- sons with ill-doing behind their backs. This is still more contemptible when done from the pulpit, as the traduced persons cannot reply even if they were present. What, then, is to be thought of a iSeath preacher who during his sermon spoke as follows of two gentlemen whose names are well known for the great public good they do :—" Gwyn, of Dffyyrn, and Llewelyn, of Penllergare, do a great deal of harm by the fetes and amuse- ments they Every generous mind will cry shame at this. If the Leneficent acts of these gentlemen were exhibited alongside of the best things of the whole life of their tra- ducer they would be like the electric light compared with a farthing rushlight. Are the preacher's olVn people so immaculate as to require no further moral teaching ? At any rate, they are not likely to be damaged by the fetes referred to. There is always a difficulty in realising the difference between a large and small house hoid until the bills have to be paid. It is then that the lovers' fallacy, enough for one, enough for two," gets exploded. On the same principle, some idea may be gained of the size of a place by measuring its streets and taking a census of its inhabitants, but that idea be- comes much clearer when we face the commis- sariat department. Take London for instauce. Into its various markets are imported annually over 800,000 head of cattle, some 4,000,000 of sheep and pigs, nearly 9,000,000 of game, fowls, and rabbits, over 100,000,000 of eg-gs, and rather more than that number of oranges and lemons. Still there are thousands of people to whom these things that I have named are luxuries. It is more interesting to know that the dwellers in Babylon consume something like 320,000,000 of quartern loaves annually, or nearly a million a day. Keeping in view the poverty that prevails in so many homes, it is evident that some other people get through a pretty good stock of "daily bread." The average Cockney is not a wit of the first water, or a polished humourist either. Indeed, it may be safely averred that he affords us most laughter when he least in- tends it. Still, he can give even an Irishman a long start in the way of a bull sometimes. A Whitehall fishmonger is scoring a success in this line even as I write. He announces in a placard, to which great prominence is given, that he sells" Norwegian ice made from the melting of eternal snows." Turn over,Sir Boyle Roche, in your unquiet grave! You never beat that in your best moods. The theatres are waking up again after their brief holiday, and I hear that the pros- pects of a good winter season are most encouragirg. Already the change of tempera- ture in the evenings is beginning to tell upon the attendance at the Healtheries, and the theatres are getting the benefit of it. "Called Back continues to be an immense draw at the Prince's, and must spell prosperity to the management as well as to the authors. On Saturday night, at the commencement of the performance, there was hardly standing-room in any part of the house, and this sort of thing is of regular occurrence. At the Strand, too, that ever-green favourite, Our Boys," with Mr. David James in his original character as Perkyn MidiUewick, draws large and delighted audiences. The popularity of poor Byron's masterpiece is unique in the history of light comedy. At the Lyceum all the best places are already booked for the re-opening by Miss Mary Anderson on Saturday evening. This accomplished and beautiful actress has estab- lished a popularity in London that is steadily increasing, and that, if I may be allowed to say so, is better deserved as time goes on. Her reception on Saturday next will give her a pleasant assurance of this, if there exists any doubt in her own mind. It ia certainly the only place where such a doubt could find sanctuary. I see by the papers that the vener- able" Father of Teetotalism" is dead. Mr. Joseph Livesey, of Preston, Lancashire, was a total abstainer for more than fifty years, and he lived to be 91. I daresay his extra- ordinary age will, at the next meeting of the Blue Iiibbonites at Cardiff, Swan- sea, Newport, and elsewhere, be put down to the fact that he "tasted not, touched not, handled not strong drink. I should, however, like to inform Messrs. Lewis Williams, Beavan.Schoheld, and Com- pany that the old gentleman was temperate in other things besides his beverage. He was temperate in his language, temperate in his treatment of opponents, and, above all things, temperate in the quantity of food he took. He devoted the last twelve years of his life simply and solely to the cause he so heartily espoused; and I have on more than one occasion assisted him in the preparation of the pamphlets he haa sown broadcast all over the land. You see, he was not so bigotted as to decline to let me have a finger in the pie because I happened to take a little wine for my soul's comfort. He was a strong opponent, but as simple and unaffected as a child. To my knowledge, he was respected by every man, woman, and child in Preston, Blue Ribbonites or other- wise, and for this reason, he always reasoned with and never abused those who did not think entirely as he did himself. Are ye answered, oh ye light and leading champions of theFiery Cross of Temperance in these par tsp "Writing about drinking and eating, pray let me brini under the notice of your leaders a letter I have just received from a comedian who is no stranger to South Wales, and who is popular wherever he goes. I mean Mr. F. W. Sidney, who only recently concluded an engagement in these spheres. He writes from Burnley under date September 1, and says:—Ebstein is a failure, as far as I am concerned any way. For a whole month now have I foregone the pleasure of milk and sugar in my tea, repudiated potatoes and all kindsof pastry,and even gone without my beer. I was weighed yesterday, and found, to my horror, I am 21bs. heavier 1 Now, this is a dreadful thing. What is to be done ? I weighed 12st lllb. at Weston the day I was there with you; yesterday 12st. 131b. Why, in Heaven's name, is it that all the methods which reduce weight in others fail with me ? Violent exercise is no good. I rode fourteen miles a day at Newport through that broiling weather, after leaving Cardiff. The heat and exercise would have reduced another man to a light-weight jockey—no effect on me." "1 have," continues the versatile actor, spent three hours in a Turkish bath with a friend. He has come out two pounds lighter. I have not lost an ounce. Finally, 1 try Ebstein, who succeeds so well with you, and this is the awful result. Claudian's curse was nothing to it. He only had to prowl about for a century or two wearing the same clothes. I am doomed, it would appear, to go on getting fatter. What's to become of me ? What vocation is there in which weight is a recommendation ? I shall have to leave the stage in a year or two at this rate. Pro- videntially, an intimate friend of mine is the present possessor of Daniel Lambert's chair, and will, no doubt, on my attaining U. L.'s proportions, give me it to end my days in. Horrible idea Unable to earn my living, starvation will, in the long run, make me thin, if I last long enough to try the system. When I think of the number of men perhaps prematurely fattened through your advocacy of this pernicious system, privately and in the Western Mail, I shudder. You had better publish this case of mine as a warning- to anyone who has been unfortunate enough to try Ebstein's method. I hope you are all well and enjoying yourselves. I am filling up time by playing with my father's 'Pluck' Com- pany, which, in these towns (Bury and Burnley), is sufficient atonement for any small sins I may have committed." If my friend becomes too fat for the footlights there is still the midnight oil—or what answers its purpose, the electric light—so much affected by those who earn their living by their pen. He would shine I should say, and he may take comfort in the knowledge that obesity is no bar to success upon the Press. [ 'assing through the neighbourhood of Alte- ryn on Monday night, I and a relative observed what appeared to be a large ball of fire in the sky. It suddenly exploded with considerable noise, when the light of the fire spread until it became similar in shape to a very large comet, only the head or ball was in the centre, The appearances lasted for more than a minute. With reference to Mr. John Storrie's com- munication concerning the Bodvoc stone" on Margam Mountain, Mr. T. C. hvans, Llan- gynwyd, writes me to say that he has gleaned from a farmer who visits the spot very fre- quently that some persons unknown one night in April last dug a hole beneath the place on which the stone usually stood to the depth of about five feet, and not long afterwards somebody else took upon him- self to throw the stone in. Before the late rain the stone was seen by several people in the hole, but at present it is covered up with water, and invisible. I am sure, Mr. Evans adds, "that when the lord- lieutenant of the county, who owns the mountain, is made acquainted with these circumstances he will cause the stone to be re-placed and taken oare of. And everyone who has any regard for such ancient and interesting relics will feel obliged to him for doing so.

OUR PARIS LETTER. PARIS, SEPTEMBER 3. The expected attack on Canton will be a better test of the offensive and defensive power of the French and Chinese than Foochow. Even were they at war that trial will be executed as if they were foes. Naval people are anxiously looking forwaid to the result. The French count also upon stirring up the rabble of Canton to rise and mutiny. In the melee some foreign devils" may go under and so necessitate the active intervention of neutral gunpowder. It is also surmised that the fire of insurrection once ignited on the Pearl River will extend over the whole Empire. This is the doctrine of chances. But it is a notorious fact that, although China has in her day knocked over her thrones and her dynasties as if French, the Empire remains just what it was some 4,000 years ago, when Abraham and Lot were shepherds, and Joseph Viceroy of Egypt. The French will likely follow up their attack on Canton by an invasion of Southern China from Tonquin. So there will be plenty of work for the peaceful belligerents. Siam becomes thus a buffer between France and England—the latter ought to look after and protect" the white elephant monarchy in time. All statesmanship consists in foresight. Respecting the "foreign concessions" in China., these are not neutral territory, China remaining still the ground landlord; consequently France could take these also as a gage," a ta mode the Foochow Arsenal, only with more difficulty in entering Mins. A skit in a funny folks paper represents a cannon ball cutting a Chinese soldier in two a3 M. Ferry's gage." The Radicals make no way with the agitation for the calling of the Chambers together to consider the situation. Unless China does something aston- ishingly unexpected, that measure will not be prematurely resorted to. The deputation to M. Grsvy will result in his tolling them his private country residence is not the Foreign Office; then. if the delegates be gunners, and the day fine, he will propose, after dejeuner, an excursion in honour of St. Partridge, or a blazing around the rabbit warrens. If the weather be wet there are billiards to fall back upon, or fencing exercises led by his wide-awake son-in-law, M. Wilson. Historically, official France is rarely a happy family in foreign parts. It is not surprising, then, that General Millot has resigned. He alleges his illness proceeds from "troubles sanj(ain< literally exact where fighting is more or less a daily occu- P ition. Politics have a little to do with the recall, but blundering about the Langson affair has more. The Radicals take up the General as a martyi to Opportunism, a scape-goat for the Cabinet,&c., and ring the changes accordingly. It only now remains for them to run the General for a senator- ship, as they did Major Laborde. But this throwing of politics in the wheels of military discipline is very bad. More serious than the war with China, or the spasmodic shelling of the Hovas in the name of the rights of man, is the financial state of the country. Tha Budget is in a delicit of 200 million francs (eight million sterling; forty million dollars) Tho revenue returns keep steadily declining, and new sources of taxation are invisible to the naked eye. No wonder the Minister of Finance his headaches and passes as many sleepless nights a used Bismarck before he became as thin as Pharaoh's lean kine. A patriotic newspaper gal- vanised the Minister into a hope by indicating the Orleanist Princes were overpaid some sixteen millions when they demanded in 1871, from the miseries of France, an indemnity for the eviction practised on them by that Saviour of Society Napoleon III. But the Orleanist Princes make no mistakes in money matters; they had their receipts to demonstrate the error. Another windfall—a thing of beauty, but as short-lived as a snowflake on the river—was the Chinese indem- nity of 250 millions. Both ignis fatuii. Nothing remains but to resort to a national loan, then will come the tug of war. The Comte de Paris may chuckle over the Re- public drifting into a tight place," but his own fortunes are not particularly enviable just now. Philippe VII. in posse is being called upon to ex- plain what are his intentions, what is his creed. Act or abdicate," say the old Royalists, parodying the formula of Gambctta's summons to MacMahon, "Submit or resign." The count wants to sail still between wind and water. If he speaks, the Repub- lic will make him move on if he remain silent, his partisans will throw him up, and bestow their affections on Don Juan, a Bourbon in whom there is no guile, and father of the Red Prince," Don Carlos. Don Juan is not a. bad kind of merry monarch retired from business; but the last cala- mity you could inflict on that bird o' freedom is to ask him to become one of the Lord's annointed. Disappointment tracks the steps of hope. The alliance between France and Germany is already as dead as a red herring. Those German journals which make such siren advances to the Gauls re- mind them that their hankering after Alsace and Lorraine, portions of old Germany, is pure senti- ment, and not to be seriously entertained for a moment. This is the true Bismarck doctrine:- When a State commences to give up territory it begins to go down." Nex& comes old Kaiser William's toast speech to Russia, glorifying their ancient coalition in 1814-15. And last, not least, General Manteuffel's decree that he will not allow any of the rising generation of Frenchmen to im- migrate and settle down in Alsace without being incorporated in the German army. The measure is to be dealt out also to such Alsatians who return claiming to be naturalised subjects of other States, but not having the proofs. The dismemberment of England's colonial empire h'ts thus narrowly escaped—let us put it mildly—by the skin of its teeth. A very shrewd Frenchman observed to me lately that the only result of ail the broadsides of invective against England has been to throw John Bull et son üe into the arms of Germany. Another bliss vanished. Relieved from flirting with the elegant lady in red, white, and blue, Germany might do well to ponder over the fetes of Belfort and the progress of rifle contests in France. The retention of Bel- fort is the best feather in the diplomatic hat of Thiers. Germany in January, 1871, asserted that the auwur propre of her army would be wounded if the soldiery were not allowed to enter the city after besieging it; to dance a kind of hornpipe round the corpse. Ultimately Bismarck consented to accept Belfort instead of the triumphant entry of the victors into the capital. Old Thiers preferred to hold the key of the Vosges; and his wisdom well merits the statue erected to lmn. The Prus- sians entered. I was in company with a very dis- tinguished confrere when the Crown Prince of Saxony—at present King—stopped in riding by to inform him Bismarck was marching at the head of his white cuirassiers. The Chancellor slowly marched round the Place de la Concorde, looked at the crowd fenced in by the French soldiers, gazed for a full five minutes on the Tuileries, and then passed on. He might say that was the proudest moment of his life. Ten years before I saw Bis- marck at the races of Baden not very distinguish- able from the general crowd, but pointed out as a man of the future—a terrible Junker, with German unity on the brain. Except an occasional growl in the Ministerial journals that England makes a great mistake if she imagines she will be allowed to have it all her own way on the Nile, the press has got fatigued with the whole subject of Egypt, and shrewdly suspects the Cabinets of London and Berlin have settled the affair between them. As Holland is down on the roster to be "pro- tected," I glean the following particulars of that tight little State from its statistical Blue Book just issued:—The population of the kingdom in 1830 was 2.613,487; in 1884, 4,225,065. The Catholics form 39 per cent. of the total. There are 145,694 agriculturists, of whom 60 per cent. are proprietors of their own holdings. The shipping trade has diminished, and one-halt' of the total is carried on in English bottoms. Although the home country is flourishing, the Budget is as chronically in defi- cit as that of Brazil's; this is due to the Acheen War. Let Franco take care, and not be kept simi- larly in a stew with the Celestials. There are 86,757 domestics, who pay a poll tax of lOf.; 33,201 tap- rooms, and over 1,300 miles of railways. There are 3.965 primary schools, attended by 562,000 pupils, of which the moiety receive gratuitous education of the total children of school age 71,000 receive no instruction. There is one poor person for every twenty inhabitants, and the expense of relieving the poor annually is 23,000,000f. Holland is pro. verbially commercial, yet all its monetary transac- tions are in silver and paper, hardly any gold being in circulation. The cost of supporting prisoneri- is a fraction less than four sous a day! France could, in this economical boarding and lodging of her recidivists, keep these incorrigible scoundreN at home, starving, and whipping them into work as the fellaheen were kurbushed into paying taxe for the Gobeck bondholders till England rescued them, and thus put an end to flooding Oceania with prison scum of the choicest pattern. On the 30th of August, at midnight, the season opened for grouse shooting. Five hours later till Paris dealers had their shops full of the birds, a" careful were the poachers not to let supplies fail, while thus creaming the fields for the legal sports- men. Fiance does not produce sufficient game to meet the demand, so the Rhenish provinces and Bohemia make up the supply. German roebuck, are good, but her hares have a detestable taste. A philosopher who has analysed the French character affirms that the greater part of the pleasures of the French are born from their preten- tions. This holds most true in the matter of fowling, which is not a spontaneous, but an arti- ficial passion, springing from the sole desire to appear, to astonish the natives, to have the air to be something, to amaze the concierge and the guttfci children by wearing a special costume-a quasi- theatrical affair-and to pose. One is not a sportsman because having a gun, a game bag, « velvet cap, and a chocolate complet in buckram which costs 30f., and that melts away under the first shower, to say nothing of the dog that has as much of a setting air about it as if being led to the knacker's yard by a bobby. At the railwaystatior on the opening eve what a mediey of free shootert Apothecaries from the Rue des Lombards, mercer from the Rue St. Denis, publicans, sinners, and bakers from everywhere. They are going to cam; out for the night; they will return with empt bags, but a supply of colds and rheumatism for th. winter. The Minister of Finance might raise tin wind a little by striking a tax on this army 01 humbugs; vanity is sensible through the breechet pocket. September is a very gastronomic month—oysters and snails, partridges and frogs, are in their prime. I am informed this is the month when two Chinest dishes are in the height of season. The following are the receipts, dedicated to lady graduates of the Cooking Academy: To make Holothurie beignets.— Take the3e red sea-snails, six inches long, cut them in two lengthwise, season with castor oil, and frj in dog fat. Vernacularly this delicacy is called ki-li. To make "whipped cream."—After the silk has been rolled off the cocoons take the chrysalides and grill them in a frying-pan till the aqueous pan runs off remove the scales, when the worms wil appear like carps' eggs; fry in butter or dog- grease, wet with a little soup, pound all with a matlet.add three yolks of eggs to every 100 cocoons, and serve. At Arras electricity has been employed success- fully to tame a show lion.

MR. GLADSTONE'S bCUTCH TOUR. Mr., Mrs., and Miss Helen Gladstone left Dal- meny House on Wednesday morning to spend » few days at Invercauld House, Aberdeenshire, with Colonel Farquharson. Lord Rosebery, their host. on account of pressing business in London, had to leave Edinburgh on the previous night, but the party were accompanied to the station by the countess and the guests at Dalmeny. All along the route the Premier received quite an ovation. AI Manuel and Stirling addresses were delivered, the first from the Liberal Association of Bo'ness, and the other from the corporation. To these Mr. Glad- stone briefly replied, remarking tha.t at present there was a great Constitutional crisis, and that it was the duty of the people to assist Ministers in passing the Franchise Bill. At Perth he positively declined to receive an address on the way South. At Aberdeen over 8,000 people had assembled on the railway platform, and they accorded the Prime Minister a hearty welcome. After a few remarks from the right hon. gentleman the carriage was attached to the Deeside train, and after another outburst of cheering the party took their depar- ture for Invercauld. From Aberdeen to Ballater, which is the ter- minus of the Deeside Branch of the Great North of Scotland Railway, the enthusiasm which had characterised the first portion of the journey was in no degree less marked. At all the stations where the train stopped a most hearty re- ception was accorded to Mr. Gladstone and his travelling companions. Arrived at Ballater it was tound that a deputation, consisting of Provost Ruse and most of the magistrates and members of the council, were awaiting with an address, which it was intended to present to the Premier. The address, which was pre- sented by the provost, spoke of the services rendered by Mr. Gladstone' to the country, and expressed a hope that his holiday might enable him to return with renewed vigour to pass the Franchise Bill, to which, it was trusted, the House of Lords would offer no further opposition. Mr. Gladstone, in a few words, intimated that it was ft great pleasure to him to renew his acquaintance with Deeside, with which he had many pleasant associations. He trusted that Ballater might con- tinue to grow in importance as a watering place, and said it was a matter for congratulation that the crops were in such a forward condition. After inquiring as to when her Majesty had passed through Ballater, and receiving the information that it was on the previous day, Mr. Glad- stone entered the carriage which was awaiting him, and, followed by the cheers of those assembled, he and those with him drove away to Invercauld, a distance of about fourteen miles. It is expected that the right hon. gentleman will attend the annual Braemar gather- ing, which is to take place to-morrow. The Prince and Princess of Wales are also among the xpected visitors.

SOJIE sensation has been caused at Leicester on account of an outbreak of small-pox. A youncy man, who visited London on Bank Holiday.showed symptoms of small-pox a few days after his return, and was removed to the hospital. Other members of the family are now suffering from the same disease. The sanitacy authorities are taking all l Dossible precautions.

THE BARR Y DOCK. MEETING OF THE PROMOTERS. On Thursday a private meeting of the pro- moters of the Barry Dock and Railways was held at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff, Lord Windsor presiding. We are informed that, the meeting appointed several sub-committees to make arrangements for proceeding with the Barry Dock and Railways with the possible delay. Our representative interviewed Mr. Archibald Hood, Mr. J. 0, Riches, and others. He was in each case received most courteously, but was informed that the details of the matters under discussion were not ripe for publication.

CARDIFF SCHOOL BOARD. OVERPRESSURE IN SCHOOLS. The usual monthly meeting of the Cardiff School! Board was held on Thursday, when there were pre- sent Mr. Lewis Williams (in the chair), Mr. T. Rees, Dr. Wallace, the Rev. Vincent Saulez, Mr. J. Guun, Mr. Rees Jones, and the Rev. W. Williams. THE HIGHER GRADK SCHOOL. The CHAIRMAN said that they were progressing rapidly with the Higher Grade School, and it would be for them to decide at a future meeting what steps would be necessary for them to take for the management of thp school and for organising the staff. The school would be opened in January. Mr. REES JONES thought that the clerk might be > asked to get particulars from similar schools in other towns as to the manner in which they were conducted. The CHAIRMAN pointed out that the clerk had already done so. His idea was that they should have a committee separate from the General Pur- poses Committee for managing that school. He thought that this course would be very desirable, as the work of the committee was constantly be- coming heavier, and there would be a lot of work to start this school well, and he thought it would be as well to appoint a committee who would take a special interest in it. OVERPRESSURE IN SCHOOLS. The Rev. VINCENT SAULEZ did not know whether any of the members had noticed a letter which ftppeared a short time since in the South Wales Daily Neil's ahout, the overpressure upon children attending school, but his attention had been called to the matter, and it had been pointed out to him that if such high pressure were to be discovered by the Government Inspector to have taken place the schools would lose their grants. He thought it would be just as well if the head masters and mis- tresses were warned in this matter. This was a very serious matter for the board to deal with, necause t hey received a large amount of Govern- ment grant. He thought it would be as well for the masters and mistresses that they should strictly attend to the hours of instruction which were shown on the inspector's time table. Mr. T. REEs did not think they were prepared to discuss the matter, as no notice had been given of it" The Rev. VINCENT SAITLEZ said that he had simply mentioned the matter because he did not think that the board ought to be losers through the fault of the masters or mistresses. If the inspec- tor's time table were mutilated in any way they might find themselves, perhaps after a very suc- cessful examination, minus the grant. Mr. T. REES said that it occurred to him that they might issue general instructions to the head teachers on the matter, but at the same time he thought that the question would have to be left 10 a certain extent in the hands of the teachers, is there were occasions when it would not be prac- ticable to enforce a hard and fast rule of sending "very child out of school at a certain hour. He would move that a general instruction to that "ffect be issued to the head teachers. The Rev. W. WILLIAMS said that his difficulty was to determine whether working overtime in schools or giving home-lessons was referred to For his own part he was very much against lessons, because it interfered with the children's recreation. The CHAIRMAN said that so far as the board was concerned there had been no complaint of the kind received. Dr. WALLACE pointed out that one case of com- plaint had been received from a parent. The Rev. W. WILLIAMS said that he had just received his Government papers in which it was oointed out that the Government would take serious notice of any case where children that were not physically or mentally capable of doing the same amount of work as ordinary children were made to go through the usual process. Dr. WALLACE seconded the proposition. There Ilad, he thought, been a cettain amount of over- pressure in schools throughout the country, but he way in which the Cardiff Schools had been con- lucted was a credit to the teachers. Mr. REKS JONES thought that it had been proved 10 the satisfaction of the Government that then iiad been no overpressure in the schools, but that the complaint arose in consequence of the idiosyn- crasies of the medical profession throughout the country. Dr. WALLACE said that such was not the case, hut that the Commissioners who had inquired into the matter reported that there were cases of over- pressure. The Ibv, W. WILLIAMS suggested that the pro- position should be altered to the effect that in- structions be issued to the teachers that they hould not press unduly children who were phy- sically weak or of dull intellect by lengthening the liours of instruction or by imposing home lessons. The CHAIRMAN pointed out that the question o! home lessons was too large a subject to deal with in such a suicmary manner,and suggested that the part referring thereto should be struck out. This the Rev. W. Williams agreed to, and the mover and seconder of the original resolution hav- ing agreed to the resolution in its amended form, it was then put to the meeting, and carried unani- mously. The meeting then terminated.

THE EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF DEMANDING MONEY BY THREATS. Edward Adolphus Glynn, 35, alias Mudge, and Walter Frederick Lusty, 20, both of 5, Fynes- -treet, Westminster, were on Wednesday charged il1 remand at the Westminster Police Court, with Joseph Nelson, of 21, Sutherland-place, Pimlico, md Edith Knight, alias Nelson, with stealing noney a.nd valuables, the property of Mr. Edwin ferry, gentleman, of 51, Eaton-square, and with extorting and attempting to extort money by neans of menaces and threats to associate him with an offence of a heinous character.—Mr. C. 0, Humphreys appeared for the prosecutor, but tin 'ase being now taken up by the Treasury Mr Simrns also appeared for the prosecution.—Mr. T Ouerdin Dutton defended the prisoners.—The pri- soners were taken into custody on warrants is illeu In the sworn information of Mr. Perry but, de- spite the fact that there have been several remands, ae has not attended the court to substantiate th, illegations therein contained. The evidence 01 Inspector Leach, of the Criminal Investi nation Department, was to the effect that he urested Giynn and Lusty at their residence in Fynes-street, Vincent-square. On Glynn were ound bank notes for fSSand £3 10s. in gold, Mr. Perry's gold signet ring, and a pawnbroker's dupli cate for his wakh and chain, pledged in the Strand for £15, Nelson, it appeared, was arrested after conversation with the other male prisoners in one If the celU attached to the court. Before the charge entered against him he said, "I only accidentally met Glynn, and accompanied him t" the house where Mr. Perry gave the cheque' to send he boy away.' When the female prisoner was aken into custody she volunteered the statement, "I am very sorry to bb IBlxed up in this affair. When I went to Mr. Perry's he gave me a cheque for £10. I signed it and went to the bank and got it changed for gold. I had JE5 of it myself, which I spent. The •ther jE5 I gave to the men, but which of hem I could not say. I also wrote a letter to Lady Perry, the mother, and I have been to Eaton-square to see her."—Mr. Humphreys said that since the last remand he had made ever\ ■ffort to secure the attendance of the prosecutor. Vlr. Perry, when the prisoners were first in custody, wrote informing him that on reflection he did not wish for reasons of his own to proceed with the case. He replied that such a prosecution once embarked upon could not possibly be withdrawn without the consent of the court. This communi- cation unfortunately did not reach the prosecutor, who was en route at the time for Biarritz. Mr Perry had since journeyed to Madrid, and there letters and telegrams urging his immediate return to this country had probably failed to reach him. no reply having been received. Under these cir- cumstances he (Mr. Humphreys) placed himself entirely in the hands of the court. He had not the necessary evidence to proceed with the original ..t1arg-e, but as the prisoners were known-one ot them having received a sentence of eighteen months' hard bbour-he left the matter in the hands of the Solicitor to the Treasury to take what course was deemed best under the peculiar circumstances. Mr. Perry was a young man, and had he acted on his (Mr. Humphreys') advice he would have had the courage to remain for the purpose of prosecuting the prisoners in the dock.—Mr. Sheil said he did not think Mr. Hum- phreys could have possibly done more or given better advice. At all risks Mr. Perry should return at once—it was important for himself and the public.—Mr. Simms, on behalf of the Treasury, could not consent to the prosecution being with- drawn. Against three of the prisoners a charge of stealing a silver-mounted walking-stick could be gone into in the absence of Mr. Perry. That gen- tleman's information was that at midnight on the 2nd of Juiy he met a woman in the Haymarket, and took her home to his mother's house in Eaton- square. She stopped about half-an-hour, and left by the front door. On awakening next morning ho missed his watch and chain, a signet ring, and money, also a silver-mounted walking-stick from the umbrella-stand in the hall. On the following night the male prisoners called, and after inquiring his name, stated that they could recover the property stolen. When admitted to the house one of the prisoners said that he was not robbed at all, and that he had given the boy the jewellery and rings because he had assaulted him in Eaton-square. Mr. Perry, horrified at the allegations, was foolish enough to submit to extortion.—The servants at the house in Eaton-sqnare were called to prove that after Mr. Perry had left town the prisoners Glynn, Lusty, and Edith Knight called on more than one occasion and demanded to see Lady Perry. After an inter- view, passing through the hall one of them stole a second walking-stick belonging to Mr. Perry. This was found in the room occupied by Glynn and Lusty, with seven other walking-sticks and three umbrellas.—Mr. Sheil discharged Nelson, as there was no evidence against him except that which could alone be given by the prosecutor. The other prisoners were further remanded for eight days in custody.

A MATTER of great importance to importers of meat came before the Birkenhead Stipendiary on Wednesday, the defendants being Messrs. Nelson and Son, cattle dealers. The application was for an order to destroy two carcases of beef because the animals had suffered from Texan fever. The aoDlication was dismissed. I

ENGLISH CHOLERA AT CARDIFF. SERIOUS CASE AT THE DOCKS. Between six and seven o'clock on Thursday morning a coal trimmer was found lying in an in- sensible condition in a shed opposite No. 10 Tip in the East Bute Dock, Cardiff. Dr. Laen was sent for, and on arrival examined the man. He found him quite pulseless, and with all the symptoms of Asiatic cholera. The doctor had him removed to a lodge close by, and stationed one of the Bute Dock police outside to prevent anyone from entering the building. The doctor had a large fire built up, and during the next four hours he administered a pint and a half of brandy with sixty drops of laudanum every half hour. The man somewhat revived under the treatment, and was able to give his address as 117, King's-road, Canton. His name is said to be Thomas, and he had been at work on board the screw steamer Castanos, in the East Bute Dock. This vessel had come from St. Nazaire, and docked on Saturday last. She completed her cargo of coal, and sailed again for Ferrol on Wednesday. Dr. Laen had the man removed to his home, and visited him during the afternoon and found him a little easier. The doctor is of opinion that it is a severe case of English cholera, but he has grave doubts as to the possibility of the man's recovery. On Thursday morning Dr. Paine and Chief In- spector Gover visited the screw steamer Abissinia. at present at the quarantine station near the Flat Holm. The doctor inspected the whole of the crew, and found them all perfectly healthy. The ship has now been detained for a week, and has been, as well as the crew, examined daily. The ship will probably be relieved to-day (Friday). Dr. Paine and Mr. Gover subsequently landed on the Flat Hnlrn, and examined the young lad who was suffering from diarrhoea. They found him de- cidedly better. The third member of the crew is now perfectly convalescent. Before the ship is docked she will again be inspected by Dr. Laen, on behalf of the Bute Dock authorities.

MR. GLADSTONE IN MIDLOTHIAN. Mr. Gladstone addressed his constituents in the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, on Saturday afternoon. He announced that when they had the time and opportunity the Government intended to give at- tention to the results of the Commission of Inquiry into the condition of the Highland crofters. The greater part of the speech was devoted to the Fran- chise Bill, to arguments to show that it was impos- sible to deal in one session and in one Bill with the two chief branches of Parliamentary Reform. He declined to enter into the question of an organic change in the House of Lords until the moment should come when he could no longer deny its necessity. In such a crisis as the present the re- presentative Chamber ought to prevail, and must prevail. He could not consider Lord Cowper's suggestion until he was told that a large section of the Tory peers were ready to accept it. The oppo- sition offered by the Tory peers to many measures of reform during the uast fifty years was narrated and the right hon. gentleman declared it would bi treason to British liberty to admit the doctrine that the House of Lords might determine when the appeal should be made to the country. He hopeo the Lords would put an end to the crisis by pas- sing the Franchise Bill when next it is presented to them. to them. Mr. Gladstone on Tuesday addressed a mass meeting of working men in the Waverley Market. Edinburgh, which was presided over by Lord Reay. From 10,000 to 12,000 persons were present, and the reception given to the right hon. gentle- man was most enthusiastic. An address from the working men of Leith was presented to the Premier, who, in a very brief speech, again re viewed the situation with regard to the Franchise Bill. He emphatically declared it would be impos- sible to pass a Redistribution and a Franchise Bill in one session, and that their opponents knew it. H,) strongly protested against the new doctrine sel op, that an irresponsible House of Lords should be able to dictate when a dissolution of Parliament should take plae, A vote of confidence wa- passed. In the course of the afternoon an 8ddres, from the Corporation of Leith was presented the Premier, and the employes at Forth Bridge presented him with an axe, and Mrs. Gladstone with a handsome silver inkstand.

LORD WINDSOR ON THE MIDLOTHIAN SPEECHES. At a meeting of the General Committee of tht Redditch Conservative Association, held on Tues- day night at Redditch, Lord Windsor, who pre sided, moved a resolution fully approving of th, action of the leaders of the Opposition with re ference to the Franchise Bill, and expressing a hope that they would resist all pressure brought to beat upon them with a view to the passing of tin Franchise Bill unaccompanied by redistribution They would, perhaps, permit him in a few word- to remind them of the position in which the oppu sition of the Tory party at present stood. Thi issue between them and the Government was not really a very serious one, although it wa, clouded persistently in a mist of misrepresenta tion and prevarication of all sorts. There wer. two questions in dispute. The first was, "Shal redistribution accompany the extension of the franchise ?" The second question was forcei upon them by the Radicals, but which they hai not the slightest hesitation in meeting, and to pu it in its mildest form it was, "Shall the privilegt" If the House of Lords be curtailed ?" He daret say all those present, as well as himself, had lookei forward to the second Midlothian campaign to se' how Mr. Gladstone was going to deal with thos questions. With the first he dealt very in his first speech at Edinburgh, but the second legarding the abolition of the House of Lords, h left to his more excited and extreme colleagues it the Cabinet, although he made several attacks upot the House of Lords as he proceeded. What M, Gladstone said, too, with regard to the first que ion was that the Tory party made use of th, topic of redistribution for the purpose of defea' ing the Franchise Bill. He (Lord Windsor utterly denied this (hear, hear) and Mi Gladstone had no right to make such a statement (" Hear, hear," and applause.) The solution of th question was an extremely simple one, and it wa, one that was utterly ignored by Mr. Gladstone i, the whole of the speech to which he had referred If the Government- were really sincere in theit lesire to pass this Reform Bill, they had only t, idjourn the autumn session over Christmas, and i this were understood he had no hesitation in say ing that the House of Lords would pass the secon, reading of the Franchise Bill, and he had no doub hat they would pass it through Committee, leav- mg the last stage only for the passing of the Re listribution Bill. (Applause.) He had never seer in any speech of the members of the Governmen wny this course should not be adopted Several of them, indeed, had been candi. mOl1gh to tell the people that they wisher to have a Franchise Bill as a. lever anI hold upon the Tory party in order to pas their Redistribution Bill. Then the only othe question was as to the conduct of the House o Lords in this matter. Mr, Gladstone had made, violent attack and protest against the doctrin that the House of Lords were justified in demand ing an appeal to the people when the House o Commons, by such a laige majority, had passed th Bill. They might fairlv ask what was the duty u he House of Lords? Were they not justified ir their action after a Government had lasted fiv sessions, and in the fifth session brought in a Hi: such as the present one ? (Yes, yes.) The Bous of Lords had not the slightest wish to set them selves against the will of the people. (Hear, hear. They only desired to be in perfect accord with th. wishes of the people. (Applause.) Mr. Gladstone ■iad referred to the action of the House of Lords i> 1861, when they threw out a Money Bill, and whe he whole of the Budget was brought in in one Act ind not separated in small Bills for the alteratioi ot the taxation. This had excluded the House o Lords from ever discussing any particular altera linn in the taxation. Mr. Gladstone added:" SUCi was the consequence of their unwisely challenging the wishes of the Chamber of the representative of the people." The priv lege of the House of Lord was, not only discussing measures, but alterin; them as they thought best for the good of tho country. (Applause.) It was no privilege to dis cuss this Reform Bill, but to take out that whicl was bad, and replace it by that which was better (Hear, hear,) The House of Lords desired to hav. their action freely commented upon by the people, and they wished at the next election, at the hustings, to ask them fairly whether tbe Had not acted in the best interests of thi- country, and whether they had not done wisely in refusing to pass that Franchise Bill without Redis tribution. I Hear, hear.) In a speech on Mr. Gladstone said, What we want is a national expression of opinion in the constitutional mode familiar to this country upon this great question.' This was just what the House of Lords wanted too, and if Mr. Gladstone would give them » chance of a national expression of opinion they would not quail before it; and if that opinion should be against them he was quite sure the House of Lords would bow to the opinion of the country. lApplause.)—The resolution was carried unanimously.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Queenstowll on Thursday morning from Castle Martyr, where he has been visiting Earl Shannon. His Royal Highness was subsequently entertained atluncheon on board the flagship Minotaur by Colonel Mapleson and Madame Marie Roze Mapleson, and sent his own steam pinnace to convey the party to the ship. In the evening the Duke dined with Rear-Admiral Lethbridge at tbe Admiralty House, a distinguished party having been invited to meet him.

A CARDIFF MATE'S CERTIFICATE SUSPENDED. A local marine inquiry was held at the Board of Trade Offices, Prince-street, Bristol, on Thursday, respecting charges preferred against Mr. John Jones, mate of the British ship Merthyr, of Cardiff. The court was composed of Mr.C.Nash (chairman), Mr. H. Thomas, Captain Tozer, and Captain Thomp- son, and Mr. Press (of the firm of Press, Inskip, and Crudson.Bristol, solicitors) acted as legal adviser to the board. The charge against the accused was that he was guilty of misconduct and drunkenness whilst, in charge of the Merthyr, on several occasions in March last, whilst on a voyage from Cardiff to St. Nazaire. Mr. Salmon prosecuted on behalf of the Board of Trade. The accused was unrepresented j by a solicitor, and pleaded that he was suffering from cold during a portion of the time referred to, and that he took brandy to get rid of the cold. He had previously been a total abstainer. Jas. Wallace, the steward of the Merthyr, was called, and proved the acts of drunkenness and misconduct, and that the defendant was not fit for duty on severalocca- sions. The mate did complain to witness that he Was unwell. The Court found the prisoner guilty of gross acts of misconduct and drunkenness, and ordered his certificate to be suspended for three months

THE FHATs CO-CHINESE WAR. OCCUPATION OF KELUNG. CHINESE REPRISALS AT CANTON. INTERVENTION OF JAPAN. [" REUTERS TELEGRAM.] PARIS, SEPT. 4.—A dispatch from Hong Kong to-day states that the Chinese have out a military road through the French Cemetery at Canton and rifled several tombs. The French Consul at Hong Kong yesterday received from the Chinese authorities the indemnity for the French losses in the Cantou riot last September. L" CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.] PARIS, SEPT. 4.-A member of the Japanese Embassy in Paris has been inter- viewed with regard to the share of Japan in the Franco-Chinese difficulty. He observed that it was inaccurate to speak of Japan as claiming sovereignty over the Loochoo Islands, since they formed an integral part of her dominions. Japan laid no claim to Formosa; but, at the same time, the occu- pation by France of that island would be regarded by her with great dissatisfaction. It is believed here this morning that Ad- miral Courbet is about to occupy Kelung. a

THE NILE EXPEDITION. PROGRESS OF THIS PREPARATIONS. THE IA lIDI IN POSSESSION OF GORDON'S FUNDS. L" REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] CAIRO, SEPT. 4.—Sir Redvers Buller has arrived here. SUAKIM, SEPT. 4.—Grain is scarce in Osinan Digaa's camp. l" CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.] CAIRO, SEPT. 4,-A man, who was an inhabitant of Berber, has just arrived here, having effected his jscape from that place with great difficulty. He says that after Berber fell into the hands of the rebels Hussein Khalifa went to Kordofan, carrying with him £30,00::> intended for General Gordon. This treasure he placed in the hands of the Mahdi, who, consequently, is now in possession of ample funds. [SECOND EDITION OF THE TIMES."] WADY HALFA, SEPT. 2.—The results of General Wood's inspection of the Surras and Seinueh route yesterday will probably be the construction of a small tramway to turn the uuper gate of the Semneh Cataract, and the adoption of the river route from Sarras, the trains to Semneh being used tor heavy stores. An attempt will be made to- morrow to haul the steamer Nassifakeir up the Lower Cataract. lFIWM OCR CORRESPONDENT.] MONTREAL, SEPT. 4.—The offers of volunteers to join the expedition to the Nile altogether exceed he demand. Five hundred Canadian raftsmen ind 75 Indians are all that are required, but in he district of Ottawa alone 1,500 men have al- ready applied, and in other distiicts there is also a superabundant supply forthcoming. Twenty In iians were formally enlisted yesterday for the jxpedition. They are all carefully picked men ind in splendid condition. There are a good nany doubts expressed here as to the thorough suitability of the boats now being sent from England. The boats used on the Red Rivei Expedition were, it is said, heavy tubs, and in ne useful as models. Some of the best loca. luthorities on the subject are in favour of light poon-bottomed craft, manned by raftsmen from he various provinces, and they suggest that such boats might have been cheaply and advantageously ouilt in Canada for the Government.

THE AUSTRIAN FLAG INCIDENT. ["CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.J NEW YORK, SEPT. 4,-Whl1.t is known as the Vustrian flag incident has suddenly entered on a new ihase. The City Council of Piitsburg, instead of • pologising to the Austrian Consul, ironiually irdered the militia to hold themselves in readi- iess to defend the town. The Consul is much an- loyed at this conduct, and it is probable that some ■omplication may ensue.

1'HE GERMAN EMBASSY IN LONDON. PROBABLE CHANGES. [" DAILY NKWS TELEURAM.J BERLIN, SEPT. 3.—A report is gaining ground iere that the appointment of a new British Am- tassador to this Court will be followed, if not j receded, by a change of the German Ambassador n London. According to the Berliner Tayeblatt he relations between Count Miinster and the xerman Chancellor are not at present l18 curdia.1 formerly, particularly since the last sitting of he Conference, when the Ambassador failed to lisplay towards Lord Granville that amount of nergy which is dictated by Prince Bismarck's present policy. Count Guido Henkel Donners- narck is even mentioned as a likely successor to lie London Embassy.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. OPPOSITION TO MR. BLAINE. [" DAILY NEWS TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, SEPT, 3.—The first important State lection this year was held in Vermont yesterday, vith a result which is ominous for Mr. Blaine's -undidature. The State was always strongly tepublican, but though their candidate for the Governorship was elected the returns show that ibout one-eighth of the Republican electors did iot vote. This is a most unusual thing in a 'residential year, and it indicates a more wide- spread opposition to Mr. Blaine in his own party ilan has been hitherto supposed. The same ratio decrease would give Mr. Cleveland a large najority in all doubtful States, thus securing aa jasy election.

BISHOP COLENSO'S LIBRARY BURNED. L" REUTER'S TELEGRAM.] DURBAN, SEPT, 4.—The episcopal palace at Bishop- itowe has been burned down. The library of the Bishop ColeDso has been destroyed.

FIliE IN AN ITALIAN MINE. TWENTY-NINK LIVES LOST. [" TELEi.RA.M-] ROME, SEPT. 4.—A telegram from Wicosea, Sicily, mnounces the outbreak of a fire in a sulphur mine, in which 29 miners perished.

FRIGHTFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. THREE BOYS CUT TO PIECES. Six lads, who were returning on Wednesday night from their work at Clydebank to ülasgoW, left the train at Maryhill, and walked aloDg the sine. They were stepping back to avoid a goods train when the Glasgow express suddenly dashed into them. Three, named Carruthers, M'Cluckie> and Henderson, were instantly killed, and the others narrowly escaped.

SERIOUS FIRE IN FLINTSHIRE. On Thursday morning Nant y Flint Farm and out- buildings, the property of his Grace the Duke of Westminster, were, together with a consid* rable portion of the furniture, utterly consum<*j by fire, which is supposed to have origin»teI tlu'ough some green fodder in an becoming overheated. The flames spread w rapidity to a stack of twelve tons of hay, whlc it destroyed, and then the house and all the fl,tt¡J) buildings caught fire, and were burnt down. 1\lr, John Avoson, the tenant, was uninsured.

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD AN ATHLEITC CLUB. At Crewe on Thursday William Baumford, Pr^ fessional runner, and Alfred Smith, bill-po9l^,y were committed for trial on a charge of consp'11*' to defraud the Alexandra Athletic Club by desci ing Baumford as an amateur.

SUIUlDE OF A BOY CONVICT. A boy named Avery, who had been sentenced a month's imprisonment for stealing cigars, himself on Thuisday morning in his cell in DUR Gaol.

ABANDONMENT OF AN AMEBIC VESSEL. RESCUE OF THE CREW. tbat A Lloyd's telegram from Falmouth state the German barque Ernest Ludwig Holtz 81' P: there on Thursday from Tocopilk, with |fQVV., of tain and crew of the American ship Swa ^^0" New York, from Liverpool for Sydney, N'.A\1gust doned in a sinking condition on the 30th ot in lat. 46.30 N., long. 24 W. Another J^Jpool from Falmouth states that the vessel left j-1 s0on on the 18th of August, and sprung a after. The pumps were kept going, ^eCaflJ« water gained, and eventually the pump choked with the ballast. When fallen in fo was in a sinking condition, and waliaa soon after the orew were rescued.