The Cardiff Times

iHrobinctai DISAPPEARANCE OF A FARMER.—Great ex- bltelllenthas been caused in the neighbourhood of Brotton b the disappearance of Mr. Newton, a gentleman farmer, itjj 0 "as no doubt come to an untimely end. He attended Mii stallion horses at Redcar on Friday week, jf0r .place he left about eleven p.m., much the worse i^oj, .rink. His horse arrived at home the following fcvta11111? about five o'clock (without his master), and had (or en^y been nearly overhead in salt water. It is there-- J PresUmed that Mr. Newton had ridden along the W ^n(l had either gone into the sea or Saltburn Beck C '1'^ the tide runs high), and lost his seat and been to s —If so, the body would probably be carried out tja a by the current, as up to Saturday night last no ,e °f it had been found. Mr. Newton has left a widow family to lament his untimely end—Newcastle Article. KTHE WEST BROMWICH MURDER.—Up to ^Jltlday slight, Corbett, the West Bromwich murderer, Is alive. During the night of Saturday he was not restless, but delirious. It would seettl that Corbett, good nourishment administered, may yet exist for rp time, but his recovery is quite impossible. X CO3T OF A KISS.—The case of Dawson J^ooper, which was tried at the Liverpool Court of >4Ss%e, on Saturday, excited considerable interest. It action to recover damages for a kiss, given under .JWing circumstances :—It appeared that some 'Hm were Pending at the time, and that the at, who is an attorney, was engaged against the hbj: On the 24th December last he called at the le- o se then kept-by the plaintiff, and whilst there >eafoa ,the daughter, a nice-looking girl, about fifteen W8 old. She immediately told her mother what had e<3> vcho rebuked the defendant for what he had kiSse' upon which he asked where the mistletoe was, and e6cl Her, too, remarking that it was the sweetest kiss ^5rVer had, to which she answered that it might be the Hidaughter was called, and stated that she l^Pti T rtl.°'er a dirty Jew had kissed her." She g face several times for taking the liberty. ,a humorous spcech for the defence, in v Sairf-n client's conduct. Mrs. Cooper's curls, ^6 tP tickled the defendant's cheeks, and, poor man, Jpptation was too strong for him, especially as it .^hristmas-eve. The learned Assessor summed up, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages FR0M HYDROPHOBIA.—An inquest H tjjg Wolverhampton, before Mr. Coroner Phillips, of .Thomas Price, a labourer at the Swan S^iouol •I^S "l .^lat town, who had died a few days k fenpnt^u111 \errible agonies. During the paroxysms !i'son ^ged his wife with having administered ,VarfPr Af1T?V. an<i notwithstanding the marked m, was consideredPtt0onlS ex,llibited the unfortunate post morion exarniv, Jeuder an inquest necessary. •WCe was a great dog-fancier, and v, 5,^USi i'.CJiS W^^ated with the fatal virus by some onA°If >eSS °6n ^.vV neitller he nor any of his friends seemed^tnlfa1116 Va Collection of his having been bitten, or of anv of h;! ceaw1Ving become rabid. The jury found that the Sell had died of hydrophobia. SINGULAR MARRIAGE.—A marriage took last week between an old man of seventy-nine and ]% lady of twenty-six! Soon after the ceremony f ■ e ^r'de quarrelled with her newly wedded Mug.) fitted his house, declaring she would not stay ,ay under his roof. She made her way to a l\sl i.t0 se]1 tl10 rin& which an hour or two %)•' t0 7 sbe had received from her lord and master, k v>cWef clia?rin' she found that that economical Crease TT on y inveited tlie sum of one penny in its r,' nder these circumstances she was outrageous V t0 °otaiu something for a spree, sold herself and V? be ,Ayoung navvy for four shillings! Some people Uncharitable as to think that the frail one will t Abe dear at the price. FOLLY.—The crowning absurdity of auagement has just been reached. When the k 1 tijnrtl n i-ast year reduced their charge to 5s. Wh6^aOoh-° ^chester and back, they at least pro- v'z"' to wrest a certain amount of per- Cu-!ar •C ^rom a rival, and to compel assent to a View of some disputed arrangements, But now a fight tending only to Mutual degradation and damage is to fee witnessed between the Brighton and South Western Companies. Three shillings and sixpence to the Isle of Wight and back is the charge for pas- sengers placarded "by each company, and as to freight, the contest is so keen that consignors by a little man- agement may virtually have it carried for nothing. This can have no other result than to reduce dividends, and ultimately by appeals to Parliament, covert or otherwise, to tax the public for a transitory enjoyment of cheap fares by a permanent doubling of fares. The Brighton charge the South Western with breach of faith in taking the new line to Portsmouth, but that question cannot be affected by what is now going on. The distance to Portsmouth by the Brighton line is ninty-five miles, by the South Western only seventy-four, and the Brighton can never prevent the South Western from enjoying that benefit. Meanwhile, what is the Railway Association doing in the matter ? That association was formed to prevent such scandals, and here they appear to be utterly helpless. Some stronger authority is required, though it may be difficult to suggest how it should be created. ALLOWANCES TO WITNESSES.—At the Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the West Riding of Yorkshire, held at Pontefract, the following resolution was adopted by the .justices" That this court do report to the Secretary of State for the Home Department that the present scale of allowances for prosecutors and witnesses in criminal cases is unsatisfactory and inadequate, and has led to the withholding and suppression of evidence, the avoidance of prosecutions, and the escape of offenders from punishment." MR. ROEBUCK ON THE REFORM QUESTION.— A meeting was held in Sheffield on Thursday evening, to hear addresses from Mr. Roebuck and Mr. Hadfield, the present members, who offer their services for re-election; Mr. Alderman Dunn occupied the chair. A resolution was passed, pledging the meeting: to support Messrs. Roebuck and Hadfield, after which Mr. Roebuck rose, and was greeted with protracted cheers. After returning thanks for the support which had been given to himself and his colleague, he referred to the cause of his ap- pearance before his constituents, which was the determi- nation of the friends of popular representation not to accept a sham Reform Bill. He had done his utmost to prevent a dissolution of parliament. He was willing to accept an instalment of reform, but he considered the government bill would be retrogressive instead of advanc- ing in the cause. He had not mentioned the ballot in the House of Commons, because he saw there was no chance of a good result from his doing so. The hon. gentleman expressed his belief that the present commotion was very detrimental to the cause of peace, and before another month had passed over there might be war in Europe. He was no particular friend of either whig or.tory, but he should like to see his country well governed. Having alluded to the objectionable provisions in the government bill, he came to the future. His constituents knew what he and his colleague had done in the past, and for both he might say that they would do the same in the future. Great changes were taking place, and he for one was determined to do all he could, not only to extend the franchise to the large body of his fellow-countrymen, but to persuade the middle classes to prepare themselves for the government of the country. But if we gained what he hoped we should gain—namely, greater power for the people—then it would be their business to pick out from the middle classes persons who could govern the country. In conclusion, he earnestly exhorted them to prepare themselves to enjoy the great privilege they were dele- gated to possess; and he hoped to see them a self-governed, and thereby a happy and well-governed people. THE Duke of Cleveland recently gave Y,200 to the members of the Church of England in Barnardcastle, towards a new burial ground, and agreed to sell the land required at a price considerably below the value, Having been subsequently applied to by the Dissenters, he has munificently offered a subscription of £ 100 for an additional burial ground, and to sell this land at the same low price as to the Church of England.

Scotland. ——=4^——- DARING THEFT OF £115 FROM A BANK ■ COUNTER.—On Friday afternoon Mr. Forrester, baker, Gordon-street, proceeded to the Royal Bank, Glasgow, shortly before the time of closing, to lodge a sum of money. Having counted out X175 in large notes he placed them in a bundle on the telling-table, and was about, to count out some small notes to make up the sum he wished to lodge, when a party asked him if he could give him a X5 to-to for five £1. notes. This he was about to do, when, on turning round, he saw, or thought he saw, a hand hastily drawn from the counter, and when he looked more particularly, found to his surprise that his bundle of X175 had disappeared. He then observed a smart little fellow hastily leave the ballk, whom he At once suspected of the theft, and whom he immediately followed. On getting to, the street, however, the fellow bad turned the corner before Mr. Forrester could give the alarm, The daring thief consequently escaped, but we hope only to be captured. OF, FICIAL.-The Lord Advocate, Mr. Baillie, will fill the vacant seat on the judicial bench in Scotland, and .will be succeeded as Lord Advocate by the preseht Solicitor-General for Scotland, Mr. David Muir. UNIVERSITY OF EBIN^uliGii.—-An ordinance has been issued by the Scottish University Commis- sioners, appointing that the provisions of the Act of last year, for the better government and discipline of the Universities of Scotland," shall come intd operation m this University on the 15th of October next. The elec- tion to the new office of rector, which lies with the matri- culated studehts, is fixed to take place on the second Saturday after the commencement of the winter session, and it is also provided that the general council shall meet every year on the first Tuesday after the 14th t of April, and on the last Friday of October, and shall at its first meeting, on the 28th of 'October next, elect a Chan- cellor of the University. A DRUNKARD EATEN UP BY RATTLESNAKES. —The body of a vagrant Scotchman was found a few days since, on Flat Rock, near West Chazy, Clinton County, New York. Near the spot where the remains lay is a large chasm or ledge of rocks, that has long been known as the den of a great number of rattlesnakes, and from the trails leading between the corpse and the rock, it is evident that the unfortunate man was killed by the serpents. The flesh Was literally picked Jrdni the bofies. It is supposed that the poor fellow wandered to the spot, and falling down in a state of unconsciousness became an easy prey to the reptiles. >

fclaittn *—— The report Ynentioned in the Freeman's Journal of Satoday of th3 resignation of Mr. James Robinson, Law Adviser of the Castle, is true, and Mr. Vance, brother to the member of the city of Dublin, is appointed to the post thus vacated. The Law Advisetship is an office generally coveted by aspirants for place, as it almost invariably leads to higher 'promotion, ahtl Is, besides, not to-be lightly regarded in a pecuniary sense; the fees and emoluments for the last twelve months fell little short of £ 3,000. The selection of, Mr. Yance is said to be a most j ddicioUs one, as, although his name is not totieh before the public, he is known to be a thoroughly sound and painstaking advocate. THE IpisH CouRf.—On Monday afternoon the Lorcl-Lieutenant, the Countess of Eglinton, and suite, left the Castle in a carriage and four, preceded by outriders, for Kingstown, where they embarked for England. Their Excellencies are not expected to return for about three weeks. NATIONAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND. ■— X1261345 is the net total amount expended on agriculture out of the public grants made to the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland from the introduction of agricultural instruction up to the end of 1857. This sum includes the net total expenditure from the year 1837-38 to the 31st of December, 1857, under the heads of building, furnishing, and repairing of all model agricultural Schools under the management of the commissioners, the maintenance of resident agricultural pupils, salaries of agricultural teachers, expenses connected with the working of the farms, payments to indus- trial classes, gratuities to workhouse agricultural teachers, and the total disbursements to model and ordinary agri- cultural schools under local management, as well as the cost of inspection. The total value of all the agricul- tural property held by the commissioners on the 31st of December, 1857, was as follows:—viz.. capitalised in- terest in land, £ 9,341; live stock, £ 4,179; crops, £ 3,594 implements and machinery, zC7,397 -1 and value of build- ings, £ 58,434.

an]) SUSPECTED MURDER AT RAMSGATE.—Great, excitement was occasioned on Monday morning at Ramsgate and the neighbourhood, by the discovery of the body of a man below the East Cliff, near the residence of Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., under circumstances which lead to the supposition that a murder has been committed. The body was found naked at the foot of the cliff, with a stab in the left breast reaching to the heart, one arm broken, and ±he left hand mishing, having been cut off from the socket- The hand and a small chopper were subsequently found on the rocks at no great distance from the body, and the coat, waistcoat, and trowsers of the deceased were also lying near the spot. The unfortunate man is believed to be a German, and has been identified by the porter at the Royal Oak Hotel as having been at the house on Sundav morning. An inquest will be held. STEAMSHIP COLLISION.—The particulars of a very disastrous collision between two steamers, which resulted in the sinking of one of the vessels, were received at Lloyds. The General Steam Navigation Company's steamer, Bruiser, with passengers and a general cargo, from London, was proceeding up the Tyne on Thursday evening, and when near a sharp angle in the river, some two miles from Newcastle, the Britannia steamer, for Leith, was observed coming down. Owing to the state of the tide, and the position of a sandbank, which ex- tends some distance into the Channel, the ships ap- parently were unable to clear each other, and the Bruiser struck the bow of the Britannia with considerable force, and such was the character of the injury that her fore compartment speedily began to fill with water, and she gradualy settled down. The passengers and, cre,y, # however, had an ample opportunity to escape. The Bruiser sustained but trifling damage, and proceeded to Newcastle quay. THE LATE MARQUIS OF WATERFORD.-At an in- quest held on the remainsof the late Marquis of Waterf ord, a verdict in accordance with the facts of his melancholy death was returned. The writer of an obituary notice remarks that in personal appearance the late marquis was a genuine Beresford, with the clear, the searching eye, and regularity of features, hereditary for generations in that noble race. In bodily form he was conspicuous for a chest and shoulders of rare development. At thirty years of age Lord Waterford was probably the strongest man in the kingdom, and his activity was equal to his vigour." Lord Waterford is the third peer who, within a short period, lost his life from hunting. The late Earl of Harewood and Lord Fitzhardinge also died from bad falls in the field. GALLANT RESCUE BY A YOUNG LADY.—On the 5th instant, a fine child of four years old, belonging to a working man named Preston, of Old Goole, fell from a plank which crossed a cesspool flat on its back- into the thick filth. Although four women stood close by none attempted to save the child but a young lady, Miss Atkinson, seeing the accident from a distance, flew to the spot and, without a moment's hesitation, rescued the child when the mud was just closing over its face; in a minute more it would have been suffocated. SINGULAR AND HORRIBLE DEATH.—About a week ago, a domestic named Ellen Vanghan, employed, at the Union Kouse, in Troy, had her ears perforated for the purpose of wearing ear-rings. The operation was performed in the usual manner, and with the usual results at the time. Oil the second day after the piercing, her ears commenced swelling, and she supposing nothing serious left employment and went home. The third day the swelling and inflammation increased rapidly, when she became deaf, blind, and speechless erysipelas set in, and for three days the unfortunate suffered terribly, when death released her. We have never before heard of a death by the operation, but we are told by those who have had their cars pierced, that it is extremely hazard- ous, and is often attended with great pain.— New York Sun. MURDER AND ROBBERY OF TEN THOUSAND POUNDS.—The Droit has the following from Madrid:— "Cries were lately heard in the house of a couple, formerly usurers, in the Plaza del Dugne de Alba, and some of the neighbours entered. They found the husband lying dead in his bed, having received several stabs with a poignard; and, lying by his side, his wife, who had received six wounds. The woman stated that four men had at daybreak entered their chamber, and after stabbing the man had gagged her; as, however, she had succeeded in moving the gag, they poignarded her also. They then broke open the drawers, and, having abstracted money and securities of the value of '250,000fr., went away, and she cried for help. On an investigation, it appeared that the men had been ad- mitted by the servant girl, and that she had gone away with them. The police have not yet obtained any clue to the murderers." SHOCKING GUN ACCIDENT.—A most melan- choly event occurred at Blockley last Wednesday, which has thrown a gloom over the town. Mr. John Rouse, gamekeeper to Lord Northwick, had been out shooting in the morning and returned home about twelve o'clock, having his gun under his arm. He had just entered the house, when from some unaccountable cause the gun went off, and the charge passing through a screen struck, his wife and two of his children who were on the other side. His poor wife received the greater portion of the charge in the back of her neck, aiid fell to«the floor. The affrighted and distressed husband picked her lip in his arms, but she expired almost immediately. One of his children received fourteen shot wounds in her stomach and bowels, and now lies in a very precarious condition. Another was wounded in the face, but is recovering. Rouse was a particularly attentive and kind husband, and his distress of mind is overwhelming. An inquest was held by Mr. C. Best, at the Crown, Blockley.

itoonat. Di§RESPECTFtJX.—One of the editors of the New York Tribute has been visiting the United States Supreme Court at Washington, and says of the nine judges he saw there-4" eight of them looked for all the world like a row of worn out nurses sitting in an Intel ligence Office,' .waiting to be hired." DOUBTFUL.—A woman down east is said to have gone three days without speaking a word to anyi body, How she must have suffered! We find the above going the rounds of the press. It is but one of the many slanders spoken against "God's best, gift to, man." Some old bachelor editor, whose case is hopeless, was, no doubt, the perpetrator. We have seen many men who find it more difficult than any live woman would, to, hold their tofigUes for five minutes. The woman spoken of above must have been a sensible woman in a crowd of ninny-heads, and knew, no doubt, that they were not used to sensible remarks, and therefore kept her peace.- American Paper. A LUXURIOUS COUCH,—Beggars swarm in China,, and their king lives at j?ekip., Tli'ey di,e by thfe roadside, and are forgotten. At Pelrin there is a "large house, called "The House of the Hen's Feathers;" here the floor of an immense hall is strewn three feet deep with feathers; and into this wallowing sea of down, at a certain hour, all houseless vagabonds who apply for shelter are turned. At a beat of the tam-tam an immense tarpauling counterpane comes down unfurling from the ceiling, and spreads over them all, like the wings of a fabulous roc hatching a nest full of eggs. The next morning, at, a similar beat, it,is .again drawn lib, and the vagabonds disperse to show their sores arid collect theii1 alms.. BREAKING THE NEWS GENTLY.—During the summer of 1849 a Mr. James Wilson, of West Jersey, died of cholera while some fifty miles from home. John Rogers wa3 emploved to convey thil dead body in a W'agdn to his iriends and home. By inquiry he learned the precise house of the deceased. On driving to the door he called to a respectably-appearing ladv, who was in fact, the newly-made widow, and asked" Does Mr Wilson live here ?" Yes," was her reply, « but he k not at home to-day." I know he's not at home now but he will be very soon, for I've got him here dead h the waggon!" ENCOURAGEMENT TO INVALID CLERGYMEN. We tear the good ladies of the Park-street church in Boston have been doing a great injury to the churches of the land. We see it stated that when their excellent pastor departed for Europe a few days ago, they all kisSed him, and some of then! tl-itis testified their affection two or three titties. Now we do not wish to speak as though we desired to restrict in the least the liberties of the ladies, when they are thus disposed to treat one of our sex, nor as if we were filled with malicious envy of a gentleman whom we esteem so highly as the Rev. Mr. Stone. But We be^ leave to inquire whether, if this touching, mode of bidding farewell to the pastor becomes general, It will not, do more to increase the number of clerical yivalids and to empty our pulpits than ever the arch ehemyof preachers, the bronchitis. We confess that we fear such a result, if our respected friends of the pul- pit share in any degree the weakness to which we editors prove guilty.-Providence Journal (U.S.).

ASTONISHING FEAT AT NIAGARA. A correspondent of an American paper says- "While sitting in the saloon of the International Hotel, Ni^-ara I became interested in an animated conversation which was in progress between two persons, of whom one seemed to be a Southerner and the other an Italian. The latter; had registered his name as Signor Gaspa Morel! i: hut 1 have since learnt that he is really a Yankee boy; that he was born and raised near -Stonirigton, Connecticut, and dubbed by his affectionate parents Andrew Greenleaf. As he grew older he was afflicted with an intense desire to become a circus performer, and finally ran away from home to connect himself with some strolling company. He was for a while a member of Barnum's immense show,' and his astonishing perform- ances upon stilts will be remembered by thousands. He had before this time assumed the name he now bears, as well to escape recognition as to avoid the fate of a 'prophet in his own country.' He is a handsome, frank-looking man, of about 25, has a fair complexion, and wears a small black moustache. The conversation referred to was a discussion upon the possible feats which might be accomplished by a man upon stilts. Signor Morelli (as I will call him) asserted his ability to do many things, a belief in which required considerable faith. The Southerner, who is a well-known sporting gentleman of New Orleans evi- dently thought the Signor was lying pretty hard and at his last announcement he laughed long and loud. Morelli had,-in fact, expressed his conviction that. he could cross the Niagara river, walking upon stilts, amid Goat *> *SSISF«SAR^ U nl. aCCeFt challense,' answered Morelli, nuietlv gilel aSt0m3hment °f his he'a1^ « this 'rSj'ty be ima- lenU'1 a0 y°" !1 On Satnrùay morning, the 12th 01 February' kmquilly Gaspa. "The assurance with which he spoke filled everv one with surprise, which was not lessened when he m-odn^Prt rt^monev for his deposit. The stakes were handed over to Mr. Allgustl!s framl of Buffalo, and the company separated to await the result of this singular wager. The interval was spent by Morelli in constant exercise, for the purpose of strengthening his limbs somewhat relaxed by a season of rest His friends expostulated in vain against the apparently insane hazard, and even proposed to return to him the amount he would, be compelled to forfeit. He seemed sure of winning, and would listen to no one. To avoid a crowd it was announced that the attempt would be made Upon the 14th (Monday), instead of to-day, so that at seven this morning there were only about thirty persons by the river-bank. Punctually at that hour Morelli appeared, in fine health and spirits. He had with him a pair of stilts about twelve feet long, made of wrought. iron, flat, sharp-edged, and pointecl-shaped, in fact, almost precisely like a double-edged dagger. These were firmly lashed to his legs, and he walked towards the river with a con- fident smile. The morning was clear and cold, but he was attired very lightly, in a dress usually worn by professional gymnasts. At ten minutes past seven he stfepped into tlie" water, which in another moment was boiling, surging, and rushing beneath his feet. The boldest of the lookers-on held. his breath in suspense as the daring man receded from the shore. He alone seemed un- moved, and passed on slowly and carefully, avoiding the larger rocks which were made apparent by the eddying current. His steps at first were very short and carefully made, but afterwards became bolder and longer. The stilts, of course, were so placed that the current struck only against their sharp edges, and produced but little effect; but the danger from sunken rocks and the conviction that a single false Step would send him to death produced a feeling which was horribly painful. Once or twice he seemed to lose his balance, and a sickening shudder ran through each one of the beholders. Recovering himself, he still kept on-still receded, until, to our straining eyes, he could scarcely be distinguished from' the foaming waters. The middle of the river was attained at last; hours seemed to have fled, but it was barely seventeen minutes since he left the shore. As he approached the deepest and most dangerous part of -his route, the suspense became more fearfully intense. No word was spoken except that one man oifered another five dollars for a moment's rise of his lorgnette, which offer passed unheeded: Just as Morelli rgached the swiftest and deepest part of the current, he seemed to totter—sink—he threw up his arms. I closed my eyes. Opening them a moment after, I saw that he was. still standing. A few moiiieiits more. and he had reached the Canadian bank—he was safe, and fell exhausted into the arms of two men who were waiting torec-eive him. At this hour (3 p.m.) he has. nearly recovered, and, though still in bed, received the Congratulations of dozensof visitors who came pouring in. He left the American shore 950 feet above the fall and came out about 1,000 feet above the Canadian. The lllOey has already been handed over to him, and all will agree that it has been fairly won. His generous opponent is able to aftord his loss, and speaks in praise of Alorelli more eiitliusi- astically than ever."

Select <—. EXCESSIVE SMOKING.—To say that smoking in moderation, like drinking wine in moderation, tends to destroy mind and body, would be to assert what the experience of three-fourths of the civilised world is opposed to. But no one who is conversant with disease can doubt for a moment that smoking to excess, or im- "moderately, ends, in destruction of mind and body. Some of the revelations on this subject are startling. Some young men still in their teens smoke forty or fifty, cigars daily. Some young gentlemen of rank have assured me that at college they have smoked from five in the afternoon until three or four the next morning for weeks together. The effect of excessive smoking is to depress the circula- tion, the heart becomes weak, irregular in its action, and the pulse is scarcely to be felt. The patient becomes frightened, and loses all resolution; once a bold rider, he cannot mount his horse; a carriage passing him rapidly in the streets alarms him; his appetite fails; his mind fills with horrors— im- aginary crimes and imaginary punishments. This state of things sometimes continues for years. At length the patient dies;—often, very often, suddenly. The case is explained. The muscular structure of the heart—of that organ which is to distribute strength and power to every part of the system—is imperfect in its action; the left side is thin, and in some cases in which sudden death has occurred there is little more than a strip of muscular fibre left on that side. Excessive smoking is a new vice. How many young meuatschool and college used to smoke lifty years ago? Some half-dozen. How many do now? The answer is- legioij. Boys of twelve years are seen early in the morning walking the streets with cigars in their mouths. Youths have consulted me who have just come from the new schools, now called colleges, confessing that they have been .in the habit of smoking constantly, and these are lads just hoping to begin the business of life.—Letter by Dr. Seymour upon Private, Lunatic Asylums." IMITATIVE POWER OF MOISIEEYS. When some men of science were engaged in South America making observations on the figure of the earth, they were greatly annoyed; by the domesticated apes, which were very numerous, looking through their telescopes, pMritihg signals, running to the peniJulum they used, taking their pens and trying to write in a word, imitating every action as soon as they could after it was observed. The smallpox having spread fearfully amongst the monkeys of South America, Dr. Pinckard, Secretary to the Bloomsbury-street Vaccination Society, was struck by the idea of arresting its further progress. Yftccirtatioh Was, of course, to be the means cf staying the plague, and his scheme for its introduction was singLuarly ingenious. He bouBrt+wonr'three boys hand and foot, and then vaccinated them, in the presence of an old monkey, who was observed to be closely attentive to his proceedings. He then left him alone with a young monkey, with some of the matter on the table, and beside it a lancet guarded that it might not cut too deep, by a projecting piece cf steel, en the same principle as ivory cucumber slices are made, and on the principle also adopted in what are called hunting razors." The doctor witnessed the result from a neighbouring room: the old monkey threw the young one down, bound him without delav a'nd vaccinated him with all the skill of a pro- fessor. "The usual effects," says Mr. Rose, "followed. Other steady monkeys were thus instructed in the art, after hatirig beetl themselves previously inoculated; and several are, it is said, now being serit out to South America, provided with all necessary means for the beneficial infection. May the attempt succeed, and men and monkeys, throughout that extensive continent, have cause to bless the name of England! "-Cassell's Popular Natural History*

SfANDAFlDSs OF WEIGHTS AND MAÜRE& inquiries have recently been made of the Comptroller- General of the Exchequer (Lord Monteagle), by the Secretary.of State lor the Home Department, relative to the i.tstl11 laws ,i espectmg weights and measures; and on Tuesday morning a copy was issued of a letter from his lordship m reply, and also of a report from the Astronomer Koyai on the subject.. From a consideration of the returns laid before him, showing the numbers of weights and measures originally examined, as well as those re-verified from 1825 to the present 'titae, 1 roiessor Airy considers that more than of the provincial arid local standards have been rised more than twenty j?ears without re-verifica- tion. It follows, in his judgment, that no confident reliance pjyi be placed in the general accuracy of the local secondary standards now in, use, and yet they y furnish the legal means and evidence by which the integrity and correctness of the actual weights and measures used for commercial purposes are ascertained and tested. For a non-conformity with these local standards, legal convictions may take place, penalties may be enforced, and the character of traders may he seriously injured, and yet the local standards re- lied oh a. eorlclusiv-e test may, in themselves, be de- fective and imperfect. Thijy may even have been altered after they have been examined and stamped at the Ex- of any due authority; a practice which has occurred; and against which, fatal as it must be, tnere does hot s^eiri dt present to be any sufficient protection by specific statutable enact- ment or penalty. The conformity between the com- mercial weights and measures, and the local standards is enforced by penalty; the conformity between the local standards and those of the Exchequer, with which these local standards should be identical, is not provided for, otherwise than by, the fifs, aildoriginal comparison and examination, which cannot be relied otflas a permanent security, however accurate it may have been when originally made. This defeats altogether the real inten- tions of the law, besides entailingullcertainty on its ad- Illinistrafioli7 and the infliction of injustice on individuals in many cases. A remedy for this state of things seems unquestionably to be called for, and that remedy (says the professor) can only be given through the authority of the legislature. to

SINGULAR SUICIDE. It is with very great pain that I have to record, writes the Pans correspondent of the Daily Neics, the death, by his own hand, of arl amiable Englishman, well-known in Paris and London—Mr, Watson, late a. medical officer in the East India Company's army, who shot himself on Monday-morning, at No. 9, Rue de Parme, where he had resided for many years. His housekeeper on going into hIS bedroom to call him at the usual hour, found him dressing, and asked him whether he would like a pot au feu for his dinner. He answered with perfect com- posure, "Very well, Marie, let it be a pot an fen to- day." She shortly afterwards went out to market, leav- ing Mr. Watson alone in the house. On her return, not finding him at breakfast, she went again to his bedroom, and found that he had got into bed and had rolled the counterpane round him. With a presentiment, of calamity 0. she approached the bed, and found that blood was stream- ing down Ins breast. He had shot himself through the neck with a pistol, but was perfectly sensible, and calmly said to her, "INIarie, don't make any noise about it. The servant instantly gave the alarm at the porter's lodge, and rushed tor a doctor. When the latter arrived, the sufferer said to hun, 1 shall send for my own doctor, sir, but I think it will he of no use. His usual medical attendant was speedily found, and the two surgeons ascertained that the wound was mortal. He had shet himself through an artery, and had placed the muzzle of the pistol so close to his neck that none of the neighbours had heard the report. He lingered for twelve hours and then died. I do not hear that he said anything to explain the motives that led him to commit the fatal act, but a paper was found in his apart- ments on which were written .h«Tera! axioms, wd among them the following, Life without health is not worth having." The deceased had been for many years very anxious about his health. He was of a full habit of body, and often expressed a belief that he had a disease of the heart. He led a very regular life, paid. great attention to diet, and was very sparing in the use df wine and spirits. Lately he was apparently in better health than he had been some years back. For the last two winters he was accus- 1 tomed to rise early in the morning and walk from the Rue de Parme nearly all across Paris to the College of France,^ or the Sorbonne, where he, an old bachelor of sixty, would listen to lectures with all the ardour of a student reading for honours. He was recently very assiduous in his attendance on Professor Baudrtl- lart's lectures on moral philosophy, and would comment upon j them with much good sense, and without the least eccen- tricity or excitement. He bought a pair of pistols about a fortnight ago, and in answer to his housekeeper, who asked what he Wanted them for, lie said they were good things to have when travelling.. It was his habit to travel during three or four months every year. The deceased was in affluent circum- stances; he has left a will, which remains in the hands of Mr. Pickford, the British Consul, who awaits proper authority to open it.

FOREIGN CLEANINGS. A DUMB SINGER.—A few days ago there was a perfectly tragic scene enacted on the stage of the Grand Opera at Paris. In the second act of Herculaneum," Roger found his voice growing husky, and discovered that he should be unable to sing the remainder of the opera, for that he had got what singers are but too often familiar with—an extinction de voix. Accordingly, the stage-manager came forward to make an apology for the Christian lover of Félicien David's works, and asked for the indulgence of the audience for Roger. The curtain drew up, Helias appeared, and, opening his mouth, pre- pared to sing in a subdued tone the music of his part; but not a note would come at his bidding, and the un- happy tenor stood voiceless and open-moufhed. Some really malicious and thoroughly unfeeling inhabitant, of an orchestra or balcony stall ventured upon this to let a hiss be heard, which shrill, unaccustomed sound rang awfully through the house. Poor Roger, who, though he has even no voice left, is still a highly-educated aiid most conscientious artist, started at the dreadful note of defeat, which, in-all his long career, he had never yet heard, tore liis princely ct own from off his head, trampled it under his feet, and, coveting his face with his hands, began to weep like a child. The confusion was general on the stage; Madame Borghi Mamo, seizing the hands of the unfortunate vocalist, tried to comfort him, whilst all the rest of their comrades surrounded the two, and the entire public applauded, waved hats, handkerchiefs, and bouquets, and, as with one voice, cried out to Roger, If you cannot sing, speak the part." Strange to say, the violence of the emotion had been such, and was so sudden, that it would seem to have acted upon. the artist's phonic nerves, for, towards the close of the opera, Roger, who had been absolutely voiceless in the beginning, recon- quered a species of sonority, and was enabled to go through his duet with Madame Gueymard so as to make himself heard. The Sultan, on conferring a pension of 6,000fr. on Mdlle. Eveillard, daughter of the French consul murdered at Djeddah, wrote to her the following letter Abdul Med j id Khan to the young daughter of the regretted consul of France at Djeddah.— Some insensate wretches have immolated a just man, the father of a family. They have left, alone and an orphan the child of his blood and of his affec- tion. May Almighty God permit his servant Abdul Medjid to become the second father of the young girl, and mav this flower of the west not refuse the friendly dew which is offered to her by him who would give his power and his life to cicatrise the eternal wound made in her young heart. This is the prayer of the unworthy servant ol God, judge of the innocent and the guilty, ABDUL MEDJID IYIIAN." MEYERBEKR. The following anecdote is current in musical, circles :—It is known with what impatience the public awaited the first representation of the Pardon de Ploermel;" but the first performance was delayed by a,singular caprice of the composer. At one of the most dramatic periods of the work, a violent storm bursts forth, and is of course accompanied by thunder. Ths manner in which the Opera-Comique represented the storm did not satisfy Meyerbeer, and he wandered about listening to every noise that was made in the hope of hearing something that came up more closely to his idea of a thunderpeal. At last, one morning, in passing before a house in course of demolition the falling of the stones and mortar to the ground, through a long wooden trough, gave precisely the sound which he wanted. Hehastenedto the theatre, and ordered a long square funnel to be made of boards, and sent down through it a quantity of stones. The sound is too hard," said the composer, we must have smooth lead or iron. Grape shot would do admirably." Cl But it is impossible to obtain them," said the manager, without permission from the govern- ment." Meyerbeer replied that he would undertake to procure them, and he wrote the same day to Marshal Vaillant, Minister of War, on the subject. The marshal is said to have been much amused at the letter, and to have replied that all the stores of Vincennes were placed at the composer's disposal. The shot thus obtained produces, when rolled down the wooden trough, the thunder which is now heard each night the piece is p erformed. A CLERGYMAN ARRESTED WHILE PREACH- I-, G A FUNERAl, SEBMOX.—As the Rev. William Watson, the pastor of the Methodist church in Glenwood, Iowa, was preaching a funeral sermon, he was arrested by officers from an adjoining county for passing counterfeit money. jo y The people in attendance at the funeral were so in- censed at the officers, that they thrust them from the house, and they concluded to retire until the obsequies were concluded. The clergyman did not accompany the pro- cession to the grave, and theofficers arrested him. They had previously searched his house, in the cellar of which they found inks, presses, papers, rolling machines and the eutire apparatus for the manufacture of counterfeit baitk bills. jThey also found 1,000 dollars in counterfeit bills, 800 dollars of which were tens on the Forest City Bank of this city, and sbout .200 dollars of fives on the State Bank of Ohio. The clergyman made a clean breast of the matter. He became connected with some counter- feiters about two years ago, and as he had been m early life an engraver, he became a useful and liard-ivork-ing member of the gang. He has preached in Glenwood abont three year?* He is about forty years old, a man of family, and has been very generally esteemed and respected by his congregation and neighbours. He said he joined the counterfeiters to get money to do good with.' This explanation was not very satisfactory to his parish- ioners, however, and they discarded him at once. He must have been a nice minister. An examination of his "study showed the "Life in Boston," Venus Misceilany," and other flash papers. He. was taken, before a justice of the peace, and in default of heavy bail, was committed to the county gaol, to await trial befcre the Court of Common Pleas. The incident created a great -?e»sation in the little town.—Cleveland Plaindealer. RELIGIOUS communities appear to be increasing rapidly in France. The Bulletin des Lois contains imperial decrees which authorises the establishment at Grasse (Var) of a new religious body, under the name of the Association cf the Sisters of Saint Martha; at Cahors (Lot) of the foundation of an establishment of Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction J at Bernard (Charente), of one of the Sisters of Saint Mary of Provi- dence at Allemans (Dordogne), of one of the Sisters of Christian Doctrine: at Loury (Loiret), of one of the Sisters of Providence; at Conlie (Sarthe), one of the same order; at Cannes (Var), of one of the Sisters of our r ady of Grace; at Las J umelliee (Maine et Loire> of one .I the Sacred Heart of Jesus and at Tiergeville (Seine- inferisure), of one of the same order. M. ROBINEAU, minister of the Protestant Established Church at Angers, France (nephew of the late Adolpho Mortod), has been deposed from the ministry on account of his Easing become a Baptist. His congre- gation have followed hint,- and formed a free church, re- fusing government aid. „ 4i

Scientific. CURIOUS PASSENGERS.—One of the passengers on board the Tyne, which arrived at Southampton on Monday night with the Brazil mail, brought home a very curious animal from the Uruguay River, in South America. It is called a carpincho. It. is a young animal, and about the size of a small dog. It is amphibious, and has web feet.. Carpinchos are found in considerable numbers in the muddy creeks of the Uruguay. They bark something like a fox, and have the back part of the lower joint of the hinder legs horned, which enables them to sit like a kangaroo. The old carpinchos have tusks similar to the boar. They eat grass, and are very fond of the sugar-cane. The one on board the Tyne ate bananas. The muzzle is very curious, being of a large oval shape, and humid, like the muzzle of horned cattle. The body is of a light sandy colour; is in shape similar to a pig. These animals live in the water all day, and come on land at night. The one brought to England is very tame, and was very partial to those who fed it. There were also on board the Tyne two beautiful young oucaus from Para.. PROBABILITY OF MARRYING.-—A table in- serted in a paper in the Assurance Mamzme exhibits results of a rather startling character. In the first two (Prnnnonnial periods, 2°-:25 and 25-30, the probability of a widower marrying in a year is nearly three times as o-resit as that of a bachelor. At 30 it is nearly four tunes as Weatfrom 30 to 45 it is five times as great,; and "it increases, until at CO the chance of a widower marrying in a year is eleven times as great as that of a bachelor. It is curious to remark, from this table, how confirmed either class becomes in its condition of life- how little likely, after a few years, is a bachelor to break through his settled habits and solitary condition; and, on the other hand, howPreadilyin proportion does a, husband contract a second marriage who has been deprived pre- maturelv of his first partner, After the age of 30, tne pro- bability of a bachelor marrying in a year diminishes in a most rapid ratio. The probability at oo is not mucn more than half that at 30, and nearly the same propor- tion exists between each quinquennial penod aiten\aid*.

THE NAVIES OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE. A confidential report on this subject has just been pre- sented to the British cabinet, and published. The com mittee consisted of Mr. Hamilton, then Secretary to tba Treasury; Mri Corry, then and now Secretary to the Admiralty; Sir Richard Bromley, K.C.B., accountant- general of th* navy: and Mr. Anderson, chief clerk of the Treasury. It appears from it that in 18;)2 England possessed an aggregate of 177 steam-ships and vessels; 3,015 guns, and 45,064 horse-power; in 1858, England possessed, inclusive of 62 troop ships, store ships, yachts; tenders, despatch vessels, &c., an aggregate of 4.-64 steam- ships and vessels, 8,246 guns, 105,962 horse-power, ami 457,881 tonnage. The stores in stock are reported to bs in a satisfactory state; but the stock is not more than adequate according to the existing expenditure. The committee observe- The branch of the inquiry which will excite most attention is that' in which a comparison is instituted between the navies of England and France. From a variety of tabular compilations, it appears that France, since 1852, has increased her steam line- Of-battle-sliips from 2 to 40, of which there are 5 building and 4 com-erting, and that this has been effected by the con- version of 2f; sailing-ships, and the building1 14 screw-ships. England, in the same time, has increased her line-of-battle- screw-steamers from 17 to 50; of which there are 10 builds ing and 7 converting. This has been effected by the con- version of 27 sailing-ships, and the building of 23 as screw- ships. The addition, therefore, to the French navy, in steam line- of-battle ships, complete, building, and converting, is 38-, and of England 33 since 1852. France has, at present, 4 iron-sided ships (» frigates blindees ") in course of construction. The steam-frigates of France, screw and paddle, have been increased from 21 to 46 and England has increased her steam-frigates, screw and paddle, from 22 to 34, and her block-ships of 60 guns each from 4 to 9 "It is necessary," observe the committee, that we should notice this superiority in steaiil-ff igatcs on the part .of France over Great Britain, which, in the fvent of hostilities, might form a serious detriment to this countfy. especially in relation to the interruption of commerce." On the other hand, the French steam-corvettes and sloops, which in 1852 were 31, are now only 22; while triose of Great Britain, which, in 1852, were 59, are now, including 7 vessels since reduced from frigates tc sloops, 82; our screw-floating batteries are 8, as against 5 French; our screw gun-vessels arid other small vessels are 53, whereas the French have 93; our screw gifti-boats are 162, and those of France 28; and the whole steam naivy Of GreatiBntain now amounts to 464 vessels; while that of France numbers 2"1H, As regards sailing vessels, England still possesses a_ great; superiority over France. England has 35 line ol battle ships, of which G are proposed to be converted into steam- ships; of the remaining 29, only 13 are considered by the surveyor c'f the navy effective as sailing-ships; and, in his opinion, if it should be deemed expedient to convert, any of them, they are convertible only into frigates; France has 10, of which only two are convertible; England has 70 frigates (of which 27 onLY are reported by the surveyor as effective sailing-ships). Ffanee has 32, of which it is said that 9 or 10 will be converted into steam-transports, the remainder being -too old for conversion; there are in both coun- tries several other vessels which, being too small for conversiont it is riot necessary to notice. The total number in the two sailing navies is, England, 29G; France, 144. In the last section of their report the committee draw attention to the weakness of Great Britain in steam-frigates; and suggest that the force in the dockyards should be used in the conversion of ships of the line and frigates (the mode by which the increase has br-en effected in the French navy), as far as tne available dock accommodation will admit. They then comment upon the pro- spective outlay contemplated by France to complete her steam riavy and naval establishment?, <3

jjiaiml and ØJtilitaQj. ADMIRALTY CHANGES.—It is mentioned in professional circles that several changes are on the taph at Whitehall among the members of the Board of Ad- miralty. Two, if not three, of the naval members will retire, including Captain Carnegie, and either Vice, Admiral Martin or Sir R. S. Dundas. Sir A. Milne's name has also been mentioned in connection with the coming changes. It is notorious that, for some time past, considerable differences of opinion have existed, and that the First Lord has had little or W Support from. his naval colleagues.— United Service Gazette, THE LOSS OF THE JASEUR.—We have Wei| favoured bv the Admiralty with a copy of the official account, just received, of the unfortunate loss of her Majesty's gunboat Jaseur. The complement of that vessel was fifty-six men and officers, including twelve natives of the Bahamas; unless, therefore, there were supernumeraries on board, the number is erroneously stated in the New York newspapers as having been seventy men. The official account referred to consists of a letter from Lieutenant Scott, lately commanding the Jaseur, to the Vice-Consul at Trinidad, dated Santa Cruz, Cuba, March 10. Immediately after the receipt at Havannah of the intelligence of the arrival of Lieu Scott. with part of his crew-twenty in numberat Santa Cruz, his Excellency the Captain-General ordered, her Catholic Majesty's steamers Don Juan d'Austria anct General Lezo to proceed to their assistance; instructing the former vessel to convey Lieut. Scott and his party to Port Royal, and directing the latter steamer to search all the bays and the south coast of the island in order, if possible, to fall in with the two missing boats, and take them to Jamaica.

I' bc Cream of iunc. IDEAS op AN INSULAR CLOWN. I hears that Erance and Austriar be like to goo to war, And to lug we in along wi' 'um, I should like to know c' what for. What call ha' we to spend our lives,'and ffing our money away, For them there flieditv foreigners—onsartii! chaps liker they ? At peace there ain't no keepun 'am to war if they 'ooi „ goo; Let dogs delight to bark and bite, for 'tis their natur' to. We'd best mind our own bisnuss, and lave they to zettle 'theirs: We never got no good by hands in other folk's affairs. We bain't alike-can't dale wi' 'um—should let 'LUll all alone; They mostly worships images made out o5 wood aTIlt Movie. In diet arid in sentiments we differs from 'am, wide; And we can't iiiakc- oitt their vanity, nor undejstaiid, tlieis pride. As to the cause they fights a,b,)itt, as fur as I can zee, 'Tis never nothmi moor than just whose' slaves they waht3 to be: For pompons though their action, and the sjfceehfeS they empiov, They're giteli unruly beggars they no freedew cant.c enjoy. So let 'um fight till either side looks danger to our short-, Then pitch into that side straightways, but let 'um bide alore; But & £ for helpun are on 'um, taxation is our gams, And them s we befriends be sure to- abuse its for our pains. We're taxed so hard already that it seems like parxm fines, All which it is our recompense iof generous designs. Aloof from 'um ia time to come I wish that we metl steer, And let 'um break each other's heads, and mvee inter-* fere. Dl. JOHXSOS'S ATTROVAL OF A CKLHEnATLJ) WHI&- WHIPP'ER-IX.—" I like a good Hayter." LOHD Jofe's TITLE.—Lord John Russell, by the number of administrations which he has succeeded ia overthrowing, lla's secured for himself a name in liiston. It is that of Jack the Cabinet-Killer. THE COPEXSATITG BAiLAX< E. — An insult M the House of Commons is always compensated for after wards bv a compliment,—and the larger the insult, the larger crenerallv the compliment that is sure to follow it. lit i", stranse "that the gentleman who is the w very last whose- feelings the honourable. Member would Wish to oftend, generally happens to be the very first wb feelings are offended.

YANKEE ORNTO-n-Y. Defeat this bill," said an orator, and a standing army, like a bird of prey, will swoop down and gnaw at the vit-als of the republic- Pass it, and a million of men, from the north, southr east, and west; from hill and dale; from your crowded- cities and mountain fastnesses, at the first bugle-blast of war, will rally to your flag, and, like the heroic sons of the Spartan mother, will return it blazoned all over with victory, or be encircled in its folds as their winding- sheet." We have heard of the waters of the Mississippi being emptied into the Vatican," as the grandest of American speech; but this million of men encntc e in the winding-sheet of stars and stripes is certanrr grander.. VERY COOL.—Several gentlemen G°INS in the early morning ^J^^food tTlast them MS of the Waslm^on S-I pa^l^SXime Sin^ttST- tion to the subject matter of its engravings. The ladv received the journal in a cool and formal manner, spread it wide open before her, deliberately stooped down, pulled off her rubbers, and carefully folding them up, laid them beside her on the seat, arranging her brocade and shawl as if nothing had happened. HALCYON DAYS OF THE PilEss.-Ill 1752 the editor of the Leicester Journal was so embarrassed by the want of matter that he commenced reprinting the Bibfe verbatun, and got as far as the 10th chapter of Exodus before things temporal furnished him with sufficient matter to fill up his journal.—Andrews's History vf Journalism.— [This reminds us of a western contem- pprary, who has begun to reprint (in a small weekiy sheet), au ojd y,-ork that will take him a oozen J ear? to complete, i,»