The Cardiff Times

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. THE POSITION OF THE LAND BILL—A MOLLIFIED OPPOSITION—THE PROROGATION—THE PRE- MIER'S STRATEGY—THE MURDER ON THE BRIGHTON RAILWAY—RAILWAY CARRIAGES— LIGHTING THE HOUSE OF COMMONS—THE BODY OF WILLIAM PENN-WHAT IT COSTS TO BE LORD MAYOR—SETTING UP THE VACCINE CALF—THE GREAT NAILBRUSH QUESTION. LONDON, THURSDAY. The House of Commons has now fairly grappled with the seventh clause of the Land Bill. As I explained in a former letter, this is the highest point in the toilsome climb. The seventh clause passed, the committee will proceed downhill to the end, and at proportionately accelerated pace. Mr Gladstone's management of the Bill disposes of those fabulous stories of implacable determina- tion to do the will of the relentless Radical with which Tory squires disturbed their midnight slumbers. Mr Gladstone is happily so strong in his majority that he can do what he pleases without reference to those considera- tion or expediency which sometimes imperatively assert themselves in the conduct of a great Bill. The Premier is so strong that he can do justice whether the cry come from the Conservatives or the Irish members. The consequence is that as the Bill proceeds many little points which the landlords regard as cruelly angular have been rounded off, and the passage of the Bill smoothed accordingly. One result of thi, policy is seen in the temper of the Opposition. The tremBndous determina- tion to resist to the bitter end displayed before and during the second reading has vanished. The irreconcilable Tory has Leen brought to admit that his natural cnemyi s not without some sense of justice, and that whilst he is above the influence of force, he yields to the persuasions of argument. Right hon. gentlemen on the front Opposition bench are curiously docile. Gentlemen on the back benches, who think Mr Chaplin is a great statesman, are marvellously subdued in manner. Even that bantam cock who struts below .the gangway has had his wings cut and his claws shortened. There arc whole hours when Lord Randolph Churchill sits watching the Bill without interfering, and though towards midnight he generally finds the temptation to interposition irresistible, he cannot just now be held responsible for the still slow pro- gress of the Land Bill. The question of the date of the prorogation has come up, and Mr Gladstone has boldly named the happy day as probably falling in the first week of August. This seems an audacious and improbable prognostication but, as frequently happens, Mr Gladstone knows very well what he is doing in putting it forth. The possibility of getting away for the holidays in the first week of August once impressing itself upon the minds of members, its seductive influence will slowly but surely spread, and will subtlely work in various ways to bring about the result. Parliament is, after all, to be managed much after the fashion of a pack of schoolboys, and if it were Lord Beaconsfield instead of Mr Gladstone, who was responsible for the manipulation of this matter, we should all be in ecstacies at its cleverness. First of all there is conveyed in unmistakeable terms to whom all it may concern the information that Parliament must sit till the Land Bill is passed. When time has been given for this idea to sink into the minds of hon. members and noble lords till it becomes part of their dai y conviction there is suddenly flashed before them the alluring fact that if they like, and if they are good boys and will perform their allotted task, they may go home for the holidays in the first week of August. As a matter of precise calculations, I think the Premier's date is too early, but the mere suggestion has made it possible for the prorogation to take place on the 11th or 13th August. This matter of the date of the prorogation is essentially a London topic, the critical importance of which gentlemen who live at ease in the country can form no adequate conception. Round the sitting of Parliament the life of London beats with greater concentration, since in these days we have no Court. The date of its opening and its close is the Alpha and Omega of the London year. What is called the sealiou" opens later and dies earlier than the Parliamentary session. But as long as Parliament is sitting London is said to be full. The date of its prorogation releases tens of thousands of people beyond the few hundreds who sit at Westminster, and of whom all but 50, or at most 60, lead an exceedingly pleasurable life during the session, and love to call it labour. These gentlemen, who have been sticking through the session, will be the first to make holiday. Even to them some approximate date is a matter of importance, and they join as eagerly as anyone else in the discussion of the topic. The murdered Mr Gould on the Brighton Rail- way has brought to the front a topic much dis- cussed at the time of the murder of Mr Briggs, and which will I expect come up from time to time till the penultimate railway passenger is flnng out of the carriage window. It points to the possi- bilities afforded for crime by the system of boxed off compartments so long in vogue in this country. Murders like these memorable events on the North London and Brighton Railways could not have taken place on our American lines, and a good many people are clamouring for the introduc- tion of the long carriage, open from end to end, invariable in the United States and frequently to be found on continental lines. This is all very well for the moment, but railway managers know to their cost that attempts to introduce these carriages in England have proved a failure. There are saloon carriages on several of our lines, notably on the Brighton, where this tragedy took place. But except where a large party are travelling in company, these carriages are always neglected, the true Briton, whether male or female, seeking the greater seclusion of the ordinary first-class carriage. One reason for this doubtless is that these saloon carriages are made on a wrong principle, having long sofas placed sideways with the centre space occupied by an impossible and altogether imprac- ticable table. No living creature that I am ac- I' quainted with, except it be a horse in a fit, elects to travel sideways. The American cars, of which our saloon carriages are a clumsy adaptation, have seats facing the engine, or reversible at pleasure, each capable of holding two persons. These are on either side of the car, with a long These are on either side of the car, with a long I passage running from end to end. If there bo a party of four, they can be made up vis-o.-cix, or all with their backs to the engine, or all facing it. Better than the American carriages, and indeed the i"f)1; I know. are on some of the Swiss lines, where there is a happy combination of the English principle with the American. The seats are ar- ranged after the manner described above, but there are compartments of various sizes, some seating eight passengers and some two dozen, with the gangway running the full length of the car- riage and the doors dividing the compartments open at the pleasure of the passenger. These are, however continental and American notions,which we English properly despise. We shall go on to the end of the chapter, murdering and being mur- dered, till a Muller or a Lefroy is left the sole patron of a trunk line. The experiment of the electric light in the House of Commons has failed. The fact is the experiment would never have had a chance of suc- ceeding but for the circumstance that the chairman of the particular company engaged is a member of the House, and has a shrewd sense of the value of his opportunities. It was a bold attempt to bring the electric light in competition with gas in the House of Commons, and, had it succeeded, would have been a neat thing for all concerned with the electric light as a business undertaking. Therfc is, I believe, no chamber in the world so well and so skilfully lit by gas as the House of Commons. The light, chastened by partially coloured glass, falls from the roof, flooding the whole chamber with an equable light. Hence we have all the disadvantages of gas obviated. There is no glare of light coming from high over head. There are no fumes, the gas being literally shut out; and what heat there is is cunningly made to assist in the ventilation of the House. In exchange for these advantages mem- bers had offered them a pale and ghost-like illumination, which quivered continuously, and occasionally threatened to extinguish itself. I montioned some weeks ago that negotiations were in progress for removing from his English rest- ing place the remains of the founder of Pennsyl- vania. I have a letter from one concerned in the negotiation, which informs me that, after pro- longed correspondence, breakings off, and tempor- ary renewals, the negotiations have finally come to an end. The overtures came in official form from the Governor of Pennsylvania, with the full approval of the State Legislature and the people, who are always ready for a fresh sensation. But that concomitant of all American public proceedings, "jobbery," presently mani- fested itself. The governor nominated as the State Ambassador charged with the mission of re- moving the body a friend of his own. Someone else, a lineal descendant of Penn, appeared on the scene, and put in his claim. Both candidates had their faction, and whilst the fight was cheerfully reigning there arrived in Pennsylvania an intima- tion that Penn's representatives in England,acting in conjunction with the trustees of the friend's burying ground where William Penn sleeps, de- clined the proposed honour. So William Penn will rest where he was buried. Dining with the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House on Saturday, and finding myself near an eminent city official, I took the opportunity of making enquiry on a subject much discussed among outer barbarians. It touched the point of what it costs a man to be Lord Mayor. My neighbour told me that the result greatly varies with the temperament and opportunities of the Lord Mayor. The City provides its chief magis- trate with the sum of £10,000 wherewith he is to dispense its hospitalities. Some Lord Mayors— their reign of office falling in lively times-expend considerably more than this sum. But as a rule it fairly covers the cost of the year's festivities. One Lord Mayor of very recent date is credited with having made a little profit out of his year. Mr Alderman McArthur, according to my authority, will not be much out of pocket when he balances his accounts, though no charge lies against him of a too careful dis- pensation of hospitality. But having had no balls for conscience sake, and errant royalty not having appeared on the London horizon this sea- son, his entertainments have not risen above the ordinary level. He has struck out fresh ground in the clerical and missionary department,but as the chief item of expense at Lord Mayor's feasts is the wine bill, no one would expect a missionary meeting to err in this respect. I A member of the House of Commons who takes an intelligent interest in the vaccination question is now displaying it in a practical manner. As I every one knows, one of the greatest difficulties in the way of the spread of vaccination among the masses is the repulsion against the idea of being" operated upon with vaccine taken from the human arm. If they knew the vaccine came direct from the calf, they say they would not mind. Taking note of this prejudice, the hon. member has gone into partnership with a friend, and triumphantly meets the difficulty. The friend finds the calf, the hon. member gives it house-room and fees a doctor, and day by day crowds of people come to be vaccinated, going away with their arm full of vaccine and their hearts full of satisfaction, having seen in the flesh the calf to which they are indebted. There are seveml ways of stim:1ting the length > of the Parliamentary Session. The oddest and not less striking is that which occurs to the old gentleman who has charge of the lavatory and cloak-room. I've been here 28 years," he says, "and I never knew so many nail brushes worn out." "Well, it's a long session, you see," said his interlocutor, "all owing to those Irish members." "Yes," said the old gentleman, shaking his head emphatically, "but it's not them as uses the nail brushes."

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR WORTHINGTON AT CARDIFF. On Thursday evening a very sudden death occurred at the County Club, St. Mary-street, Cardiff. Mr George Samuel Worthington, who is well known in Cardiff, and who was on terms of intimate friendship with a large number of gentle- men in the town and district, was dining with Mr McLellan and other friends. They had just finished dinner, when Mr E. B. Reece, who was also dining with some friends at a table quite near, heard Mr McLellan say in an alarmed tone, Mr Worthington is very ill." Mr Reece and Mr McLellan were by his side in an instant, but Mr Worthington, who appeared to have great difficulty in breathing, even in that short time appeared be in a dying state. Dr. Granger was in the Olub dining-room in about a minute afterwards, he being at home at the time. On the Doctor arriving at the club, Mr Worthing- ton breathed once or twice, and then quietly expired. Dr. Taylor, his medical attendant, was sent for, and arrived shortly afterwards. Mr ^Worthington had been ailing for some days, and on Thursday morning was attended by Dr. Taylor at the club, where he had been during the greater portion of Thursday. Mr Worthington had been for many years a director of the Penarth Dock and Railway Company, and in the formation of that company and the construction of the harbour and docks lie took considerable interest. Mr Worthington was formerly the proprietor of the Llancaiach Colliery, which some five year.- since he sold to a company. Since then he has resided chiefly at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff, being a bachelor, at which place he had rooms exclusively confined to his own use. He was well known for the great interest he took in hunt- ing, racing, &c., and scarcely failed to attend every meeting of the Roath Court, the Glamor- ganshire, and other hounds. He was also a great supporter of the races and steeple-chases during the time they were held at Cardiff. He was a man of genial temperament, and had surrounded himself with many friends all over the county.

THE TREATMENT OF INEBRIATED PAUPERS AT SWANSEA. The Master of the Swansea Board of Guardians is apparently a believer in the cold water cure, though it may be questioned whether some of the members of the body whom he serves have much liking for it. Not very long ago an iron-hearted official met with summary treatment upon it being proved that an infant inmate had been sub- jected to a cold water bath as some punishment for a childish oIfclIce; and it appears from what was said at a meeting of the board of guardians on Thursday that several gentlemen doubt the efficacy of an internal as well as an external application of aqua pura. The master reported that several paupers returned drunk to the house after their leave of absence and that in order to bring them to a sense of their misbehaviour he had treated them to 24 hours on bread and water. SeveraJ members questioned the legality of the punishment, but the reply of the master was that in these instances he had carried out only what the board had ordered in corresponding cases. The treatment which the master accorded these men appears anything but harsh; and perhaps there are few boarding-school boys who have not received a very similar punishment for a far less serious offence. If the men had been taken before the magistrates they might have been sent to durance vile for several days, as an alternative to the payment of a fine.

LORD ABERDARE AND THE SUNDAY CLOSING BILL. We have it on unquestionable authority that Lord Aberdare will take charge of the Welsh Sunday Closing Bill in its passage through the House of Lords. There is no doubt that the Government's intention is to get the Bill passed into law this session.

A CARD.—'To all who are suffering from the errors allll iwti.a-ivfioris of youth, iiervoiis weakness early decay, loss of 1I1I\!llwoJ, J "in seed P. receipt that will cure yon, PRKK OF CIL\lWj. 'fniu great remedy was discovered by a Juiss.it>iwy in America. fiend a self-addressed envelope to the Kev. JosKi'ir T. INMAN, Htation 1), New York CHty, U.S.A. SlilfcG 9605

THE OLD PRISON AT CARDIFF. NO. 3. RE-CAPTURE OF HARRY. Two days after the escape of Israel Harry and Thomas Thomas, a boatman in the employ of Mr Crawshay, of the Cyfarthfa Iron Works, was pro- ceeding early in the morning up the Glamorgan Canal with an empty barge, when he saw at Ton- gwynlais, near the path leading to Castell Coch, a man apparently asleep lying on the canal bank. The horse was stopped, and the man, who was thinly and miserably clad, was lifted into the barge and placed near the iron stove fire in the cabin, the warmth from which soon restored him to consciousness. He had the appearance of a tramp. Some food and warm drink were given him, which he ate and drank eagerly, and he seemed to have suffered as much from hunger as from cold. When he recovered sufficiently to talk, little could be extracted from him except that for two nights he had been sheltered in Castell Coch Wood, into which he had strolled in the dark and lost his way, and that in leaving it that morning he had fallen down from hunger and cold, which had numbed all his faculties and produced a stupor from which he would not have recovered had it not been for the kindly assistance afforded him by the boatmen. The barge was on its way to Merthyr, and by the time it arrived at that place the man had suffiiently recovered to walk. On the way he had been liberally supplied with food. When the barge was entering the lock leading to the works of the Great Iron King, the man stepped on shore, after thanking the men heartily.and warmly shak- ing them by the hand. The boat returned to Cardiff a few days subse- quently, and one of the boatmen, while drinking at the Cross Keys, Crockherbtown,, mentioned the circumstance. The fact of the prisoners having escaped from the gaol was well known, and he made no concealment of his opinion that the man they had found on the bank was one of the escaped convicts. A man who was sitting on the opposite side of the room crossed over to the place where the boatman was seated, and questioned him respect- ing the height and appearance of the man whom they had found on the bank. The replies seemed to satisfy him, and in a short time he left the house, and with a stout stick in his hand, started up the North-road at a good speed. This man was John Harry,of Caerphilly, Isaiah Harry's brother. All trace of Isaiah Harry had been lost, but the story of the boatman seemed to give him a clue to his whereabouts. Although the snow still remained thick upon the ground, with a determined stride John Harry walked on and on, and late that night arrived at Merthyr. He slept at a small public-house near the Cyfarthfa Works, and on the following day he began his search for his brother. Without indicating to others the object of his search, he began to visit all the small public-houses, workshops, and places were workmen were likely to frequent. For days this search was continued without the least sign of success. The boatman's tale was conveyed to the gover- nor of the gaol, who sent a turnkey, to whom Isaiah Harry was well-known, and a constable to Merthyr in search of him, and a day or two after- wards John Harry's footsteps were pretty closely followed by the gaol warder. Cyfarthfa Ironworks were then in full swing, and as the renown of the works had spread far and wide, the unemployed of all classes frequently made their way to Merthyr to seek employment. It was no unusual circumstance for men daily to pre- sent themselves at the office and seek to be put on to work, and many were employed without inquiring as to who they were, or where they camo from. The heat of the works, the coal dust and smoke that surrounded them, covered the faces of the workmen with a thick black cloud, and it wa" difficult to recognise even a relative in the sooty countenances of the workmen after they had been working a few hours. John Harry's search was directed to this place, acting on the probable chance of finding his brother among the workmen. For some days he walked about, scanning the faces of the labourers as they left the works at night, for the dinner hour was usually spent inside. However, failing in his search, he, at the end of a week, set out on his return to Cardiff. He walked on for miles, and in the afternoon called at a small roadside public-house called the Travellers' Rest for a glass of beer. He had not been seated long when a mall in a workman's dress walked into the taproom where he was seated, and called also for a glass of ale. John Harry at once recognised the voice as that of his brother Isaiah. He, however, deemed it prudent not to say anything, and after a few minutes he left, and waited a short distance from the door. A minute afterwards he was joined by his brother Isaiah, and a warm greeting took place between them. On the road to Cardiff, Isaiah told his brother that after escaping from the gaol he made his way up the North-road, and on through Whitchurch to Castell Coch, where'for two days he had shel- tered himself in the ruins of the old castle. Almost perished with hunger and cold, he had in the morning walked down to the canal bank, but fall- ing down, he was going to sleep when pickecTup by the boatman. He had found work at the Cyfarthfa Works as a labourer, where he had seen his brother. He had on that evening after work followed him to Navigation. "Well Isaiah," said John, "the only course open is to get you off to America. I have already been considering what was best to bo done in the event of my finding you. We must first get you to Liverpool, and then from Liverpool it will be easy to get you a passage to America." This was arranged, and that night both slept at a friend's house in Whitchurch, and on the following day Isaiah, wearing a blue serge jacket and an old pair of trousers and sea boots, made his way to another friend's house at Llan- dough, where he was to remain until he could be shipped to Liverpool. A week or more passed by before a vessel arrived in the canal bound for Liverpool. One, however, arrived, and John Harry made an arrangement with the captain to convey Isaiah to Liverpool, no secret being made that he intended to go from thence to America. The day prior to the ship sailing Isaiah Harry was brought from Llandough, and lodged at the old sea lock, intending to go on board the vessel when she was ready for sea. This public-house was at that time the resort of boatmen who brought down iron. These men drank a good deal, became very noisy, and fights were not unfrequent. Isaiah Harry, as it was his last day on shore, drank freely, and, as was his custom, became very quarrelsome. A row occurred between him and a boatman, which ended in a fight. The boatman had the worst of it, but Harry, who was a brute when he was drunk, kicked the boatman while he was lying on the ground. One among the crowd of boatmen, on seeing his companion kicked, cried out, "You're a coward to kick a man when he's down." For two pins I'll kick you, too," said Isaiah Harry. If you'll fight, come on," said the boatman, and both were soon squaring at each other. Harry struck the boatman a violent blow on the mouth, who seemed for a moment surprised. But in a minute he struck Harry a still more violent blow on the nose, which caused the blood to run down his face. Take that, you- convict," said the boatman, at the same time giving him another blow on the face. Harry was stunned for a moment by the force of the blows, but on recovering himself, he ran wildly at the boatman. His antagonist had recognised him, and so had his companion. Come on," said the boatman, you're stronger now than you were when I kicked you upon the Canal back." In the fight Harry had lost a good deal of blood, and this began to sober him. He saw his folly, but scarcely knew how to get out of the difficulty. Unwilling to let it be known who he was, he fought another round with the boatman, and then gave in among the scoffs and jeers of the by- standers. He heard the word convict once or twice re- peated after he entered the public-house, and feel- ing that the place was getting too hot for him he looked about for the means of escape. The back door of the public-house was open, and thinking the moment a favourable one, he passed out, and began making his way across the fields towards the Taff. His flight was observed, and several voices cried out, There goes the convict." They were soon at his heels, and Harry how a sharp walk broke into a run, followed by the crowd. He soon reached the Taff, which hap- pened to be rather low, and jumping into it he swain across,for a time leaving his pursuers on the opposite bank. It was, however, no use. The news had reached the ears of the governor of the gaol that one of the escaped convicts was near the canal, and taking with him two turnkeys and It eonple of constables, he started in pursuit. Darkness had set in some time, but the loss of blood, followed by the cold bath in swimming across the river, had so far exhusted Harry that he could not proceed further, and finding himself surrounded with men who were gradually closing upon him, he gave himself up, and was speedily. conveyed back to his old quarters.

Captain Barrow had an iutvi'vit'ts wit., the Queen at Windsor this afternoon., to prevent Her Majesty with the Golden Ave, sent by the King of Ashantee,

FEARFUL RAILWAY I ACCIDENT, A TRAIN PRECIPITATED INTO A RIVER. 200 LIVES LOST. NEW YORK, Sunday.—A telegram from Mexico of yesterday's date, published here, states that a whole train on the Morelos Railroad was precipitated into the rivpr San Antonio, near Cuartla, on the night of the 24th inst. The disaster was caused by the fall of a stone bridge. Nearly 200 passengers were killed out- right, and many were injured. They were principally soldiers. NEW YORK, Monday. —Further particulars have been received to-day from Mexico with reference to the accident upon the Morelos Rail- way, which was very much more terrible in its incidents than was at first reported. The railway, which was a narrow guage, was built entirely by Mexican capitalists, and was only opened for traffic to the public on the 18th inst. During the past few days heavy rains have greatly swoUen the San Antonio, and, in conse- quence of defective foundations, undermined the supports of the bridge across the river near the town of Mailpois. The fact that the bridge was in an unsafe state is said to have been known to the officials, who, nevertheless, permitted the trains to cross over it. The train which was destroyed was conveying a battalion of soldiers, and as it came upon the bridge the ehtire structure gave way, precipita- ting part of the train into the river, part down a steep embankment which formed an approach to the bridge. A portion of the train consisted of freight wagons, loaded with casks of alcohol. This caught fire, and the entire mass of wreck- age, with the unfortunate people jammed among it, was consumed. A hundred and ninety-two privates and thirteen officers are known to have been killed outright or slowly roasted to death. Fifty other persons were either fatally or very seriously wounded. NEW YORK, Tuesday Evening.—This evening further details have come to hand respecting the disaster on the Morelos Railroad. The casualties are now placed at a hundred and ninety-seven men and seventeen officers killed. In addition to this number must be added the railroad officials and employes, and the wives and children of the soldiers, of whom a considerable number accompanied the troope. The loss among these is not yet ascertained, but of the whole occupants of the train only sixty persons were saved, and of these forty are more or less seriously injured. The disaster occurred at eleven o'clock on Fri- day night. The train was a long one and was drawn by two engines. The bridge, which in the first accounts was spoken of as a stone structure, but is now said to have been built of wood, gave way with the weight, and the whole train tell with a fearful crash. For a moment all was darkness then in an instant the contents of a hundred barrels of brandy, loaded on two cars, burst into flames, the burning liquid running everywhere among the broken cars. The scene was most agonising. A few only of the passengers could extricate themselves in time from the debris of the carriages and the ruins of the bridge. These could do nothing to assist the rest, who, wedged up in the broken cars, or so injured as to be unable to extricate themselves, were burnt to death before the eyes of the horrified survivors. So complete was the conflagration that the whole of the debris of the train was consumed, and the bodies of the dead were reduced to charred corpses. The Secretary of Public Works and a number of army surgeons went early next morning from the city of Mexico to the scene of the disaster, and did all in their power to relieve those who had escaped ,with their lives, but who were suffering terribly from burns and injuries of all kinds. Never in the history of the Republic of Mexico has any accident approaching in its extent to this occurred, and it is feared that it may still further prejudice the public mind against railways and other innovations. However, no share of the blame can in the pre- sent fall upon foreigners. The Morelos Railway is a purely Mexican enterprise, was built by a subvention of the Government, and the work entirely carried out by Mexican engineers. The accident will have the effect of compelling immediate attention to the alleged defective state of the work of one of the lines constructed by American contractors—the Mexican National line. A prominent Mexican engineer has already re- ported the embankment at the Tajo de Nochis- tonga Pass to be in a most dangerous state, and liable at any moment to cave in on the passage of a train, with a most disastrous loss of life and property.

TROUBLES IN ALGERIA. TERRIBLE OUTRAGES. ["DAILY TELEGRAPH" TELEGRAM.] PARIS, Sunday Night.—A despatch received from the Spanish Consul at Oran affirms that more Spanish families have just arrived there from Saida and Sidi Bel Abbes, and that 1,04-3 Spaniards are begging to be sent back to their own country. A subscription is being set on foot here for the relief of the sufferers in the province of Oran. All the southern portion of the province has, as I have already informed you, been overrun, devastated, and ruined by Bou-Amema's bands, who have mas sacred the colonists, outraged the women, burnt everything down, and borne the children away into captivity. The population is in dis- pair. The France, which heartily advocates the subscription in this evening's edition, says :—" It is not enough to interpellate the Government respecting the facts in which its responsibility is engaged. It is not enough for the Administra- tion to take precautions against a recurrence of these crimes. It is not enough for the army to avenge such an insult. Frenchmen must all com- bine to heal these wounds, and go generously to the succour of the victims." Meanwhile Bou-Amema is still at large, with a fair prospect of committing more massacres and obtaining more booty. This time it is not some remote correspondent who sounds the note of alarm, but the Havas Agency which publishes the following despatch from Algiers We learn from Saida that Bou-Amema, passing between the De Mallaret column at Hassi Hamma and the Detrie column at Kreider, has again gone north- ward, probably for the purpose of making a raid at Marchusean, the station of the Alfa Company, where great stores of grain, flour, and other pro- visions are accumulated. The Caid of the Beni Mateurs declares that he had already begun his raid on the night of the 22nd inst. Bou-Amema relies on the support of the Ouled Sibi Kalifas, who show every intention of joining his standard. The three companies which form the entire garri- son at Saida have leit that place for the purpose of accompanying the supply trains of the Detrie column." No news could possibly be more serious, and the France exclaims that it seems to be dreaming when it reads such a despatch. The Temps, al- ways reserved in its criticisms, siys to-night that the general management of the military operations in the south is certainly open to blame, and that there has been a great dearth of troops ready to take the field. Had the Saida garrison been as strong as it should have been, a corps could have been detached, the colonists would have been saved, and Bou-Amema would not have escaped. All the Algerian papers are clamouring for an investigation into the affair, and the municipali- ties seem disposed to follow their example. The Spanish frigate Volcano has arrived at Oran, to take more fugitives back to Spain. Twelve hun- dred have already left.

FR ANCE AND TUNIS. PANIC AT SFAX. TUNIS, June 25.-Ali Ben Hlifa, the Caid of Nefita, ha" placed himself at the head of that and other tribes, and has declared that he will acknow- ledge neithGr the Bey nor the French. II e intends to ínvnde Sfax and the coast. Great consterna- tion is said to prevail at SÙtX, and the population are taking shelter on board the merchant ships. TUNIS, June 25, Later.— Several tribes are assembling near Mahres, about 30 miles from Sfax. It is not known whether they will march oil Kerouan or Sfax. The telegraph to (Tabes is interrupted, and several of the poles have been burnt. TUNIS, Sunday. Tiie Governor of Hfax has called a meeting of tin nobles and religious leaders to ascertain the intention of the popula- tion in ca.se of an invasion by the tribes. All declared that they acknowledged the Bey's authority. It has been Cecided to reinforce the go-ards protecting the Europeans. To-day the telegraph to Sfax is interrupted. Two French gunboats have loft for the j>lace. T'o- London has returned from Malta..

PAJU-S, Monday. —M. Diraiue died last night at at L'ueil, afled 83. He had been times minister, and was premier under the Soptcnimte, but respited when M. Grevy 1<)- pb,1 :\f:->.r-h;U MacMah'.n.

THE ALLEGED MUKUEK UF THE LATE SULTAN. TRIAL OF THE ACCUSED. EVIDENCE OF THE WITNESSES. SENTENCE ON THE PRISONERS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Friday.—The trial of Midhat Pasha and the other persons charged with compli- city in the murder of the late Sultan Abdul Aziz wRI commence on the 27th inst. before four judges of ttie Court of Appeal. Two officers of the court have already seen the accused with refer- ence to the counsel to be charged with their de- fence. Midhat and Nouri Pashas have chosen Cheri Effendi, an Albanian Ulema; Mahmoud Dtf*uat Pasha has selected Sartinsky Effendi; while the accused have counsel assigned to them by the Midhat Pasha is stated to have admitted during his preliminary examination that the death ol Abdul Aziz extricated the Council of Ministers from their then embarras- sing position. It is further asserted that the judicial investigation brought to light abun- dant proof that the late i^ultan was assassinated. Ned jib Bey and Ali Bey are stated to have stood at the door with drawn swords, while the wrestler Mustapha and the gardener of Mustapha held the arms of their victim, another gardener holding the feet two other men, also Palace gardeners, then opened the late Sultan's veins. CONSTANTINOPLE, Tuesday.—The trial of the accused began suddenly yesterday morning in a. large tent near the Yildis Kiosk. Two Invitations were sent to the British Embassy, and other invi- tations to a select audience. Sourouri jiffendi, President of the Criminal Department, and three others, were the judges. The persons accused were a wrestler and two others in a similar posi- ion, Fachri Bey, Nouri Pacha, Mahmoud Djela- ledin, the brother-in-law of the Sultan, and Mid- hat Pacha. The reading of the indictment occupied two hours. It contained the details of the charges, including a project for the extermination of all the Princes of the Imperial family, and stated that for the execution of this project invitations were ad- dressed to the Princes to a banquet at the kiosk on the Nespetie heights. The plot being discovered the Princes did not accept the invitation. After these documents were read, the President, Sour- rouri Effendi, recapitulated the charges and commenced the cross-examination of the accused. The first person examined was Mustapha Pehlivan, who said that he had been called by Mahmoud Djellaleddin Pacha, who promised to grant him and his companions, Mustapha Diezarli and Hadij Ahmed Aga £100 each per month to kill the Sultan Abdul Aziz, by opening his veins with a knife that he had procured for them. Nouri Pacha called on them afterwards, and the same offers were made to them by Nouri Pacha, who added that the Sultan Aziz must be done away with. He then made them swear to keep what they did secret. Besides £100 each received £30 as a present. Mustapha Pehle- van and his companions were introduced to the residence of the late Sultan with four eunuchs, by the officers Nedbjid Bey and Ali Bey. The crime was committed under the directions of Fachri Bey, who held the Sultan by the shoulders while two others each took a and the wrestler Mustapha himself cut the arteries of the two arms while two officers were at the door. Then the body was taken to the guard-house. Mustapha declares that life was extinct when the body was so taken. The next man examined retracted his statements altogether, that Nouri Pacha ordered him only to take care of the Sultan. He was below when the "suicide" happened, and only went upstairs when he heard the noise. Fachri Bey was next examined, and testified at great length as to the mental alienation of Abdul Aziz. Immediately after his deposition the signs of such alienation appeared. He declared he was going to be killed like Sultan Selim. He re- proached the soldiers under his window for their ingratitude. He declared that the ironclad which was anchored before the Palace was about to knock it down. He believed that the tiles were burning, and that the intention was to roast him alive. Three men were introduced against the witness's wish. The Sultan asked for a mirror and a pair of scissors to trim his beard. The Lady Valide, of the Sultana's suite, wishing to see what the Sultan was doing, looked through the window and saw him dead, and gave the alarm. He then rushed into the Palace, and saw the Sultan dead and bathed in his blood. Mahmoud Pacha was next examined,and denied the existence of the commission. The judge re- minded him that Nouri Pacha and another had declared the contrary. Mahmoud Pacha replied, "Then they are lying." On the night of the crime he declared that he was with Mehmed I Rushdi Pacha, and asserted that all the witnesses who said that he had been seen in the guard- house speaking with Fachri Bey were lying, and that he knew nothing of the suicide till he saw the account in the newspapers. The examination of Nouri Pacha followed. He stated that he was named by the Sultan as Marshal, and as such was a member of the commission. He flatly denied having given any secret instructions to the three persons who committed the crime, and declared that he gave such instructions in the pre- sence of many persons, and in a loud voice. It was not true that he had sworn them to secrecy. He had recommended Mustapha, the wrestler, to Mahmoud Pacha, but it was about fifteen years since. At this stage Midhat Pacha entered and took his place amongst the other accused, his appear- ance producing some sensation. Before the indict- ment was read Midhat said "I am happy to be allowed to justify myself before a public assembly, and wish to render homage to the equity of his Majesty in this public trial, which in itself is a considerable step towards liberty." Midhat Pacha interrupted the reading of the indictment, and was reminded by the court that it was the President's business to direct the proceedings. He denied all knowledge of the existence of the commission, and said there was only the usual council of Ministers. No order had ever been given to assassinate Abdul Aziz. Orders had been given to take away the ex-Sultan's sword, and all kinds of arms, but this was a protection to prevent him attempting his life. He only knew of the death on going to the Sublime Porte, and believed, like everybody else, that it was from suicide. The Judge here remarked that besides ( the wounds on the arms there was said to be another above the left breast, and other traces of violence. You were Minister (he added), and it was your duty to inquire." Midhat replied, "If I am responsible for that, all the Ministers ought to be responsible also, but I do not see them alongside of me." The Judge: "Was the Sultan living when his body was taken to the guard-house?" Midhat: 1 don't know." The Judge: "Mehmed Rushdi says that possibly he was living. Rushdi has said many other things also." The trial ended, as we stated yesterday, in find- ing the prisoners guilty. ( CONSTANTINOPLE, Wednesday.—The court to- day pronounced judgment upon the prisoners in the Abdul Aziz case. Sentence of death was deli- vered upon Midhat Pasha, Mahmoud Damat Pasha, Nouri Pasha, Ali Bey, Nebdjib Bey.Hadij Mehenied, Mustapha the Wrestler, and Musta- pha the Gardener. Izzet and Seyd are sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. The prisoners have eight days allowed them to appeal.

THE GREEK FRONTIER. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE. The Foreign Office issued on Monday night the correspondence respecting the rectific:1.tion of the Greek frontier, including 397 despatches, under the head Greece, No. 6,1881. The period covered is from January 17, 1881, when the French pro- posal for arbitration was abandoned, to May 31 last, after the final negotiations and signatures of the Convention had been completed. Among the despatches, many of which are telegraphic, relative to the proposals and counter proposals emanating from the amba.s8aders of the Powers, from the Porte, and from Greece respectively, is one from Mr Goschell to Earl Granville,submitting the draft of a collective note to the Porte, in which the representatives of the Powers express the opinion that the last proposal of the Ottoman delegates might form the basis of a solution, and requesting the Sultan to authorise negotiations thereupon. The acceptance of this proposition by t Porte is communicated on May 2 in an identic telegram. On May 17 Mr Goschen tele- graphs the complete agreement between the Turkish Plenipoetntiaries and the ambassadors 0: the Powers on all articles of the Convention except the military question, and two days later 1:e announces the agreement with the Turks on the conditions of the military convention. Au identic telegram, dated Constantinople, May 21, Evening, conveys the fact that the Con- vention has been initialed. The final signature was to have been executed on the following day, but a delay arose through the Turkish delegates not having received answers from their Govern- ment on five points, three of which related to the position of Greek subjects in Turkey. This diffi- culty being overcome by the Porte withdrawing the five points in dispute, Mr Goschen telegraphed on May 24th the signature of the Convention and attached documents. The final despatch, dated Foreign Ofnce, May 31, is from Lord Granville to Mr Goschen, and conveys to the special ambassador the thanks of the <nu«n and Government for the manner in 1 which he had discharged the important duties with which he had been entrusted.

I THE WELSH SUNDAY- CLOSING BILL. CONFERENCE OF LICENSED VICTUALLERS. Yesterday afternoon a conference of licensed victuallers, brewers, merchants, and wine and buer retailers from all parts of the United Kingdom, was held at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, to consider various subjects con- nected with the trade, such as local taxation, local option, Sunday closing, spurious clubs, the Corrupt Practices (Election) Bill, and the pro- posal to close public-houses on polling days. Fully 400 delegates were present, representing no fewer than 260 different town. Mr Joseph Wadhams, Birmingham, occupied the chair. The deputation from Wales, who attended more particularly in reference to the third reading of Mr Roberts'^ Welsh Sunday-closing Bill, comprised Mr Daniel Lewis, president of the Cardiff Licensed Victuallers' Association Mr Joseph Mann, pre- sident of the Swansea Licensed Victuallers' Association; Mr W. Thorne, president of the Bridgend Licensed Victuallers' Association Mr Thos. Edwards, president of the Merthyr Licensed Victuallers' Association Mr Alfred Burnt pre- sident of the Pontypridd and Rhondda Valley Licensed Victuallers' Association; Mr Lawford Pullan, vice-president of the Cardiff Association; Mr E. T. Thomas, ex-president; Mr R. A. Blake, ex-president; Councillor P. W. Carey, Mr F. Govier, Mr E. J. Smith, Mr J. Williams, Mr W. Evans, and Mr John Weaver (secretary), Mr Dominick G. Watson, Mr Augustus North, and Mr Philip S. Dowson. The CHAIRMAN having explained the object of the meeting, Mr HENRY BENTLEY (Leeds) proposed the first resolution That this meeting having considered the provisions of the Bills for Closing Public- Houses on Sundays in Wales and England, with certain exceptions therein, viz., the Metro politan district, open from 1 to 3 and 7 to 10 in large towns and populous places, from 12.30 to 2.30, and 7 to 9 for sales off the premises only all other places being entirely closed, is of opinion that there has been no change in the social habits of the people to justify a re-opening of the Sunday ques tion, and that further restrictions will only lead to a systematic evasion of the law and a further increase in the number of clubs, over which there is no control or limit to the hours of opening and closing." Mr THOMAS (Cardiff), seconded the resolution, and in doing so said that they were of opinion that this Bill had never been actually before the House of Commons, because only one-fifth of the mem- bers had been present when it was discussed. (Hear, hear.) That was surely anything but a fair voice of the House of Commons. With regard to Wales, then, their opponents were very much more adroit in their tactics. It was notorious that the Welsh people were the most sober part of the population of the United Kingdom, and, there- fore, why should they be selected for a Bill of this description ? Their opponents replied that the reason was, because the people were in favour of it. The ac- tual fact, however, was that they dis- approved of it. They had presented a, petition with about 16,000 signatures, which was largely in excess of that presented by the other side, and which he might state, from his own personal knowledge, had contained the names of many thousands of children. (Hear, hear.) In Cardiff there was, of course, a large floating population of sailors, and, as a natural consequence, a number of disorderly houses, and the natural result would be that if the Bill were passed, large numbers of people would be driven to these resorts. Mr LEWIS (Cardiff) supported the resolution, remarkiino- that some 16,000 signatures had been obtained in that town against the Bill, and in every case care was taken that the signature was that of an adult. (Hear.) He saw no reason why Wales should be singled out and separated from Eng- land in a measure of this kind. They trusted, in the Welsh trade, that, individually and collec- tively, the English trade would support them in fighting against the Bill. (Hear, hear.) Mr SHILLING (Neath) thought the question as affecting the license holders was, no doubt, very important, but there was also that of the owners of public-house property, which must not be lost of. Mr BLAKE, Cardiff, said that in Wales they had done everything they could to render assis- tance to the English licensed victuallers, and it was their firm belief that in return they would be equally assisted in their opposition to such a mea- sure by their brethren in England. Their pro- perty in Wales had already been depreciated to such an extent that they thought they had a right to complain. Mr CAREY, Cardiff, said that the police statis- tics there showed that from January in the pre- sent year, down to a week or so ago, there had only been three people arrested for drunkenness per day out of a population of 85,000. Mr EDWARDS, Merthyr, in a vigorous speech, appealed to the English body to bring their most direct influence to bear upon their respective re- presentatives in all parts of the country to save their Welsh brethren from the miserable tyranny from which they now suffered. (Hear, hear.) They were so small, so poor, so much under the ruling hands of that miserable Sabbatarian influ- ence which overruled Wales as much now as in the old days of persecution. (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which was unanimously agreed to. INFIR PRIZE DRAWING

AT CARDIFF. As the day—the 13th July-fixed for the draw- ing of prizes in aid of the building fund of the Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire proposed new Infirmary at Cardiff, draws near the applica- tions for tickets come in very rapidly, and the honorary secretaries feel quite confident that the affair will be a greater success than upon the last occasion. An exhibition of the prizes is now being arranged at the Victoria Rooms, St. Mary- street, which will be opened on Saturday for the first time, and will be kept open until the day of the prize drawing. The prizes, 1,050 in number, have been tastefully arranged on long tables in the rooms, which have been draped with curtains and otherwise decorated for the occasion. At one end of the room there is a fountain surrounded with trellis-work, gracefully covered with leaves. The basin of the fountain is concealed in cork. The prizes include a fine-toned piano, a handsome gold watch and chain, silver- mounted harness, a case containing 133 pieces of plate and cutlery, dessert knives and forks of first quality, an oak liquor stand with silver hoops, electro cruet stand, toast rack, and egg rack, gold watches, a harmonium, an American orguinette, clocks, pairs of garden vases, lockets, &c. The exhibition will be found to be attractive. No price is charged for admittance. It will be open to holders of books to sell tickets up to the 8th July.

THE WINDSOR REVIEW. LOCAL VOLUNTEERS. A meeting of the commanding officers of the Taff Battalion was held on Thursday at Ponty- pridd, when the final arrangements for conveying the several detachments of the Taff Battalion to Windsor on Saturday week were completed. The two detachments of the 2nd Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers will leave Cardiff at 5.30 a.m. In addition to the officers already announced, they will be accompanied by Captain Sladen, Captain Shackell, Captain Newberry, Lieutenant W. E. Jones, Lieutenant York, and Lieutenant Maddox. The remainder of the detachments from the Taff Battalion will join the special train at Newport, which will then, after calling at Gloucester, pro- ceed direct to Windsor. The position of the Taff Battalion on the field will be such that they will be among the first to be inspected by Her Majesty, and among the last to march past. The march past will be in double companies, each to consist of not less than 20 file, or more than 32, and not more than three officers will be allowed to be attached to each company. Quarter-Master Simpson is making every arrangement for provisioning the 1nen, and an officers' mess will also be arranged for. It is not expected that the march past will commence before five o'clock, and in consequence of this the return journey will be delayed till a late hour, the volunteers bemil expected to arrive at Cardiff on Sunday morning, about eight o'clock. The march past, it is anticipated, will occupy nearly three hours. The mi pier of volunteers pies ent for inspection will be 52,000. Some conception may be formed of their number when it is stated that if they were extended in file, which consists of tvvo ranks, they would extend nearly 10 miles in length. The various railways are making preparation to run excursion trains, quite distinct from the volunteers' trains, and it is expected that the gathering will be a larger one than has been seen for some time. The total num- ber of men sent from the Taff Battalion reaches nearly 700.

PRINCE LEOPOLD ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The Duke of Albany (Prince Leopold), who is the guest of the Duke of St. Albaivs, on Thursday drove to Nottingham, attended by a numerous suite, to open the new university college erected there at the cost of the corporation. In response to the address of welcome, Prince Leopold highly eulogised the corporation for their public spirit in raising such a building, and said the Queen had expressed pleasure at knowing of its existence. After a view of the premises luncheon was held, at which the mayor presided. The Prince, proposing "Success to the College," expressed satisfaction at its foundation, and said that the greatest advantage was that It offered opportunities to working men which they never had before. While he was strongly in favour of elementary teaching, he was abo a strong advo- cate of technical training. Such knowledge would raise the country in every respect. Nottingham had recently been improved to a wonderful extent by the establishment of art classes. In response to the toast of his health, His Royal Highness said there was nothing which the royal family valued more than the good-will of their fellow- countrymen, and there was nothing they would not do to legitimately deserve that good-will. ) Lord Spencer and Mr Mundella also spoke.

I DR. DE JONGII'S LIOHT-BROWN Con LIVER OIL. —ITS UNKQUALLED EFFICACY IN CASUS OF CHRONIC COl:GII,-Tllis celebrated Oil hail beell1ll0st extensively and successfully used in tl1e treatment of Chronic Coughs. It effectually corrects tho m rbid action and deposits of the mucuus surfaces of the throat and 1.rouchial tubes, and speedily allays the lTitation which produces frequent and prolonged coughing. ])1'. Hunter sJeinple, Physician to the Hospital for Diseases of the Throat- an<l Chest, writes:— have long been aware "f the great, reputation enjoyed b): the bight- Brown Cod Liver Oil introduced HIt,) medical prallce by Dr. de Jonujh, and have recommended it with the utmost confidence. I have no hesitation in stating my opinion that it possesses all th qualities of a good ami eiiieient medicine. Its taste is by no means disaqree- able, and might even be called pleasant. I can fully believe that, from its richness in chemical principles, it is superior in efficacy to many, 01' per!I1<,ps all, of th.6 paiecoloured Oils. I have found I Jr. de Joiigh's Oil very useful in cases of Chronic Cough, and-especially in laryngeal Disease complicated with Consump- tion." Dr. de Oough's biglit-Urowii Cod Liver Oil is Svilil only ill capsuled imperial ha.1f-plllts, 2s 6d pints, ils 9d quarts, 9s with his stamp a-id signature and the signature of his sole e"¡¡si; ('!1 the capsulo 8:11.1 the h,001 uiuler wrapper, by aif ebesaists. Sole ronshjiiees, JLi ctr, Harmrd Co., 11, ."Strand., kon'Ioa.

[SPECIAL REPORTS FROM OUR TRADE CORRESPON- DENTS AND EXCLUSIVE SOURCES.] ¡ CARDIFF TRADE REPORT. [SPECIAL REPORT BY OFR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CARDIFF, Thursday.—The clearances for the past week have again been exceedingly large, and the number of both steamers and sailing vessels which have left this port during that period has been very large but these are fully replaced by recent arrivals, the majority of which, as usual arrived light or with ballast. A fair number however, ,came here with iron ore, pitwood' timber, etc. The docks are taxed to their utmost to afford accommodation for the quantity of shipping in port, and cases of demurrage have been frequent during the past week. The stems of our shippers are, almost without exception full, and this, with a number of orders on hand unexecuted, would indicate a good business, as far as quantity is concerned, for the immediate ■ future. Prices are very firm, and an advance is generally expected at no distant date. In the freight market orders are fairly plentiful, and with a fair supply of tonnage chartering has been tolerably brisk. French freights continue low. The rates for Spain are steady, and home- ward business thence with ore has somewhat im- ?roved. Rates continue firm for the West ndies and Baltic ports. There is not much inquiry for the States, and the homeward rates from that quarter are still very low. Rates keep steady for Italy, Malta, Gibraltar, Port Said, the higher Mediterranean, and Black Sea ports, but the homeward business from the latter is still quiet. There is no change in East India coal freights, and the homeward business from thence is rather easier. South American freights are steady. There have been no transatlantic steam charters dusing the week. Exports for the weekCoal, 128,743 tons. iron, 4,034 tons; patent fuel, 3,433 tons • coke' 400 tons. Imports: Pitwood, 4,005 iron ore, 3,763 tons.

SWANSEA TRADE REPORT. [SPECIAL REPORS BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT 1 SWANSEA, Thursday Night.—Business has been very quiet here during the past week, and the total clearances show a falling off from those of the week previous. The decline has been prin- cipally in the French and Mediterranean trades very little indeed being done in the latter. There is a fair amount of tonnage in ports, but nothing special to report with regard to freights. Charter- ing has been limited throughout the week, and for some of the chief Mediterranean ports the rates show a tendency to decline. Business with Spain is fairly brisk at current rates, and several ship- ments have been made for Baltic ports, tonnage being specially in request for Copenhagen and Cronstadt at improved rates. There is no im- provement in the price of coal, and the market is overstocked with the cheaper descriptions. The total shipments (foreign) are divided as follows-.—France, 7,239 tons coal; 1,495 tons fuel; 296 tons metals. Spain, 2,122 tons coal; 1,340 tons fuel. Portugal, 764 tons coal. Phillipeville, 65 tons coa 1; 1,029 tons fuel; Copenhagen, 1,043 tons coal; Kiel, 1,710 tons Civita Vecchia, 250 tons coal 1,800 tons fuel; Pernambuco, 571 tons coal • San- tos, 700 tons. Imports.—The arrivals with cargoes have been fairly numerous, including the Sowerby ss with a large cargo of grain and general American pro- duce direct from the States. The entries of iron ore are still below the mark, and now that more work is being done by the tinplate manufacturers an improvement in ore and pig iron may shortly be looked for, though the selling price of tinplates continues lower than ever. The chief entries are —542 tons iron ore from Bilbao; 655 tons calamine from Genoa 516 tons clay from Antwerp 400 tons copper ore from Sestre Levant; 534 tons from Tucacas; 284 tons from Tilt Cove 1,500 tons from Bett's Cove a cargo of timber from P.E. Island, and another from St. John's, N.B. About 1,000 tons of pitwood have been received from France, but coastwise the arrivals have been but few.

NEWPORT TRADE REPORT. [SPECIAL REPORT BY OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] The coal trade of the district, far from showing any cessation in the activity displayed for the last two or three months, is, if anything, increasing in a greater ratio, as regards the demand, than the supply. There is no doubt that for the moment at least, the requirements are more than can be supplied. How long this state of things will last will in a great degree depend upon the colliery proprietors. Should any excessively high prices be asked, there can be no doubt that supplies will be sought in other directions, and many foreign customers driven to seek other markets. It is hardly necessary to remind sellers of the difficulty experienced in bringing back such customers to the district when lower prices again rule. Another strong reason for keeping prices at a moderate figure is the possibility, if high rates rule, of old collieries being reopened. OnCe this is done, when the demand slackens even for a time, such workings are carried on at a loss, and prices are brought down to a figure leaving no profit to the colliery proprietors. Any increased demand under such circumstances is more than met by the over supply, and it may be years before prices attain such a position as to leave a fair profit. Both Docks are well supplied with ship- ping, and though the arrivals of steamers with cargoes have not been many the supply of light steamers and sailing ves:ie18 has more than made up for this. The quantity of coal and iron shipped and shipping is large. The iron trade seems fairly good at the works, though there is not much heard about new orders. Quantibes of rails and railway material are coming down from the works, and shipped. Several cargoes have cleared during the week for North and South America, Rotterdam, and other parts, and vessels are still in request. Freights have not altered to any degree but some charters have been effected where a fair time was conceded for loading. Imports.—Less iron ore than usual has been re- ceived. Two or three cargoes of wood have arrived from the Baltic, &c. One small cargo of French pit- wood has come to hand. As the demand is slight, this has made no alteration in prices, though it. has made the quotations 01 last week somewhat more stable. Four cargoes of new potatoes have arrived from France.

WEST MIDLAND TRADE REPORT. BIRMINGHAM, Thursday. — Galvanisers were busy this afternoon seeking to buy sheets on their own terms, but were unsuccessful. Theywould have purchased very freely at such prices as JB8 for doubles and JB9 2s 6d for latens, but makers sought more money by from 10s to 12s 6d, and even 15s a ton. Here and there makers and buyers made advances towards one another, and a little business was done; but there was small need for such advances, the sheet mills being generally well supplied with work. Sheets for deep stamping fetched more money than last previous sales by from 58 to 1015 per ton. Sales were effected in nail rods, in common bars, and in tube strip—all at prices a good half-crown nnder J36. From that price rates ranged up to JB6 5s, at which figure medium bars began to be approached. These, at £6 10s, met a steady sale, and there a little business was reported in marked bars at £7, onwards to JB7 10s and J67 12s 6d. Vendors of Derbyshire pigs reported sales at £258; and Northampton sorts, which by the end of last week had sprung from a maximum of £2 2s 6d to £2 3s and £2 3s 6d, secured, in exceptional instances, as much as the maximum got for Derbyshire kinds. Coke was 14s for North and South Wales common, and from 16s 6d to 18s 6d for South Wales best; Derbyshire was 15s to 15s 6d, and Durham 20s 6d to 2.3s 6d per ton. Coal ranged from 6s 6d for forge, up to 8s for furnace and 10s and 12s for domestic sorts. [BY TELEGRAPH.] BIRMINGHAM, Thursday.—Business this after- noon was dull. The sheet mills generally were well supplied. Makers would not accept under JB8 10s for doubles, and j69 12s 6d for latens. Sales were effected in nail rods common bars and tube strip at about £5 17s 6s to j66 5s medium bars steady, at JE6 10s; marked bars, j67 to jE7 10s and JS7 12s 6d Derbyshire pigs, £2 5s and Northampton, £2 3s 6d. Coal ranged from 6s 6d forge, to 8s furnace, and 12s for domestic. N OF ENGLAND TRADE REPORT.

MIDDLESBOROUGH, Thursday.—The iron trade still maintains a steady tone although prices have not been much changed from last week. The Scotch rates of iron have declined, and this has rather unfavourably affected the Cleveland trade, preventing that elasticity, and a tendency towards liigher rates, which would otherwise have un- doubtedly appeared. There is an undertone of strength, however, about the trade, beause of the large shipments which have been going forward towards the end of the month, and the probability that if stocks do not decrease they will at least not show an increase. The deli veries to South Wales have still been rather small, and it is expected that this month they will be less even than the last, small as that delivery was. Whilst, however, there is a decline in this direc- tion, an increased demand has appeared in nearly every other, especially for the Continent, the Baltic, and Scotland. It is not, it is stated, out- side the bounds of probability that some further shipments will be made to America, as the stocks of Cleveland pig iron sent to that country last year are getting worked off, and the Americans find the cheap iron of this district very advanta. geous for mixing purposes. It comes m cheaper than their own iron, even after paying duty, and seems to answer equally well. Many in the trade, have not yet made up their minds as to the cha- mcter of the movement which ha81ately characte- rised the market. There has been more demand it is true, a great deal of iron having been sold within the last fortnight. Prices also have been somewhat better. Vv liether, however, this be the beginning of a general improvement, or whether it be a mere spurt it is somewhat difficult to deter mine. Perhaps OpInIOn 18 about equally divided in the matter, and under these circumstances it is difficult to come to any definite conclusion. A good deal of iron could be sold by makers forward for about 6d per ton above the present rates, but they seem inclined to keep out of the market. In manufactured iron there has been more demand. Shipbuilders for the Tyne, Wear, and Tees, and also for the Clye have been coming info the market for more shipbuilding iron. Some ot the plate makers have now got their order books pretty full, and this has induced them to be firmer in their quotations, and generally about 2s 6d advance appears in their prices for plates. Bars and angles remain about the same, The shipbuilding trade is brisk, au ad vance of five per cent, is being made to the operatives' wages in this trade fro111 the 1st of JulY. Foun- dries are rather better employed than w as lately the case, the pipe and railway chair department having received an increase of orders. The steel trade is extremely brisk, the output being m- creased. The Darlington Iron Company now turn out 1,000 tons of steel ]K-r week, and a like quantity is expected to be produced at tin Krm us Works, at South Stookton, the management of which has been confided to .'lr Kvans, .tlis mill manager from L osvlais Works, whose cr.'porionce in South Wales is loaked upon as most likely to irete these works a successful spoeulatioti. | The fricee <»? iron are about »*ig sivta'. ?»«• i» \Zsy' No- S' S7s; No. 4 forsr*, 36s. for present delivery. # Warrants are abo- -33. No. 3 in-ltv- toured iron; ship plates, £ 5 17s 6d to £ 6 boner plates, £7 sli-ets, Bb 17s 6d to £7 2s 6d I bars, i,5 10s angles, £5 7s 6d to JB5 10s less 24 per cent commission puddled bars, £3 12s 6d nett. The steam coal trade has been only moderate the time of year considered. Demand has not been so strong as it was some time back, but are pretty steadily maintained, at 8s to 8s 6, Lo. b. Coke is rather more sought after. Ordinary furnace coke of fair quality is 9s to 98 6d at the ovens. Household coals quiet.

NEWCASTLE TRADE REPORT. THURSDAY.—We are again in the midst ot noliday making, N ewcaste races occupying three days of the week, and while only a half 'holiday is the general rule some of the works are closed all the week, and most during the three days. On change not much is done at such a time, and business is largely confined to foreign orders that happen to come to hand, and which are dSt with tion Theenim f a^d Tlth°^ nmch «l>ecula- nZ i,- v -,i^0n trade ilas been a little firmer The shipbuilding trade is still going busily on' The demand for marine engines is keeping the engine works fairly employed, but where such engines are not made the trade is quiet and scarcely the ordinary number of hands can be kept employed. The coal trade is quiet, although the steam coal may after recent experience be called bnsk household coals. Gas and coke are quieter, but not more than might be expected at this season. There is a little stiffening in the chemical market, the production being naturally less during summer, and at holiday times. Freights are still exceedingly low and scarce.

THE TIN PLATE TRADE. [BY LEWIS The workmen at Old Lodge are again at work. Their employer agreed to follow the decision ot Owmbwrla and Vernon. The whole of the others are looking forward to what will be done at these two works, inasmuch as it was the employers at these works who suggested the commencement of work and to refer the dispute to arbitration. From another correspondence with Trow, of Darlington, I find that where four half pigs of hematite iron are worked in mixture with grey iron that it is a rule for the puddlers to get 9d per ton extra in addition to" other privileges stated in another letter. The whole report will be read to the meeting on Saturdays Dafen and Old Castle Are still idle. The shinglers at Old Castle have jft distinct dispute. They allege that they are underpaid.

THE CONVERSION OF CYFARTHFA INTO STEEL WORKS. Some exceedingly pleasing and favourable nswf is now afloat with regard to the converse oi the Cyfarthfa Works. It is currently stated thai the lease of the property has been increased to something like 130 years, and that this prelimin- ary having been got over, the conversion of the works for the manufacture of steel will be com- menced in a few weeks.

NORTHAMPTON WOOL FAIR. There was not so numerous an attendance at ihs wool fair on Thursday, in consequence, doubtless, of the downward tendency. Throughout the day the weather was beautifully fine. Number o' TOeces pitched 31,633, against 46,000 last year. Highest price on 61 tods 3 pounds, 27s 6d lowest P™? 9 tods 7 pounds, 23s; average price, £ 1 5s 3^d, as against 31s 2d last year. The quality of the wool pitched was good, but business wag anything but brisk.

PETER ROBINSON'S. ,HalfACent;Ury aS° Oxford-street presented a very different appearance to what it does now True, it was then, as now, a busy thoroughfare It was the high road to the city, from which it de nves its name, but there were neither cahs no; omnibuses, nor river steamboats to carry th. thousands of personswhonowtravel daily from eas; to west in the morning and return in the evening. The vehicular traffic, such as it was. was con- ducted by the stage coach and the lumbering hackney carriages, with their two horses and ancient characteristic drivers. With these the last generation was satisfied. The stage-coaches that passed up and down Oxford-street charged a shilling from Hyde Park-corner to the Bank', and took their time to make the journey. There were no imposing-looking plate-glass fronted shops in the street at that time, but it was, nevertheless a populous thoroughfare, famous for shopping," and energetic young tradesmen looked upon it as a promising locality for starting in life. At that time the credit system was in full operation, and a large ready-money business was the exception and not the rule. In the year 1833 a young Yorkshircman. of the not infrequent name of Robinson, having learned the drapery trade, was casting about for a suitable place in which to commence business on his own account. It may be assumed that Peter Robinson was not embarrassed with too much capital at that period of his history, although his energy and capacity were considerable. His means did not enable him to aspire to large premises, for rents in Oxford-street even at that time were not low, and Peter Robinson, with the characteristic caution of a Yorkshireman, was determined to begin in a modest way and enlarge his house in proportion with the extension of his business. On the north- west side of Oxford-street, between Great Port- land-street and Regent-circus, he found a shop to be let, and, on opening negotiations with the pro- prietor, was accepted as a tenant. We have no means of knowing what available capital Peter Robinson possessed at the time, but he was shrewd enough to perceive the desirability of turning it over as frequently as possible within the briefest intervals of time. It was not to be expected that he could make a "family trade" and give long credit. He had no adequate means of knowing what class of customers to trust, even had he been able to give them credit, which he was not but he went resolutely to work to establish a readv- money connection on the equitable and common- sense principle of buying his goods in the best market for cash, and selling them at the lowest profit for ready money. The customers who dropped in at the new shop in Oxford-street were not slow to recognise the advantage of buying at a place where they could be served with what they wanted at a very reasonable price, but on a recognised system of ready money. Peter Robin- son was also prescient enough to perceive that the tradesman who dealt invariably in a pood article soon acquired a reputation for fair dealing, and he resolved, as his business grew, to main- tain its traditional character in this respect. That his principle was a sound one, and thoroughly appreciated by the public, was proved by the fact that his business steadily increased in volume until the one shop was insufficient and more elbow room was wanted. The circumscribed space which witnessed the Yorkshireman's small beginnings was enlarged by the addition of other premises, and his business rapidly developed. The public saw the advantage of buying for ready money, and Peter Robinson was determined to gratify them as far as possible. Judicious an- nexations were made from time to time until six houses were acquired. A further development of the trade followed each addition to the means of meeting the public demand until it became neces- sary to migrate, and, crossing the street in a south-westerly direction, transfer a portion of the business to a branch establishment in Regent- street. Here four houses were obtained, and three in Argyll-street in the rear were soon added. These are devoted exclusively to the sale of mourning attire, of which there is the largest show of any house in the empire. Ad- ditional premises have also been secured in Regent-street (between the Circus and Castle- street), in Great Portland-street, and in Little Portland-street, while it is not improbable that eventually the whole of the extensive premises now called the London Crystal Palace may be absorbed under the roof of the Oxford-street con- cern. But the chief distinctive feature of Peter Robinson's is that it is purely a drapery business and restricted exclusively to the sale of clothing for ladies and children. For silk goods the house has for many years been known as one of the largest buyers in the foreign markets, while its specialty for mantles and costumes has long been recognised. It also imports largely every novelty that the increasing energy of continental manu- facturers can supply. The whole of this vast business, with its seventeen shops, its fac- tories and hundreds of employe*, is in the hands of and under the proprietorship of Peter Robin- son, son of the Peter Robinson who founded the business nearly half a century ago in Oxford- street the concern is therefore one of purely pri- vate individual enterprise, and is not in association with any company, limited or unlimited. The responsibility is thus direct and concentrated, this being, no doubt, one element of the great success which has attended every extension of the business. The perfect organisation of this immense busi- ness is another of the great secrets of its success. In the first place (as already stated) it is limited to drapery proper. There are no departments for furniture or ironmongery, for stationery or pro- visions, or even for boots and shoes. Drapery is the only trade carried on, but this is most fully developed in every branch,from the richest wares of the" silk mercer" to the humblest article required of the "haberdasher." The fashion adopted by ladies of buying mantles, costumes, &c., where they can see them finished as for ■uj^ar has been fully responded to by Peter Peter Robinson and some idea of the magnitude of this department may be gathered from what may be termed the' 'social statis- tics" of Peter Robinson ci. There are, for instance, 400 assistants, male and female, all of whom dine, and the majority of whom sleep, on the premises. The kitchen at the Oxford-street range is at the top of the house; the dining-rooms are under- neath, and here the principal meal of the day is served from half-past twelve until three o'clock. There are sitting-rooms for the employes when busi- ness is over, and a library of 4,000 volumes for their use. At the factories in Little Portland- street and elsewhere, about 600 persons are em- ployed, while the total number of hands for whom occupation is found in the various departments of dress and mantle-making and millinery is between 900 and 1,000, so that not less than 1,300 persons derive their direct income and mamtenanoe from the establishment. There is a special de- partment for country orders, and an estimate of the work daily executed through corret>pomieno» alone may be formed from the fact that a sackful of letters are delivered every morning, the ma- jority of which are from the country, and must bt answered the wane evening. For the delivery ol the goods purchased or made at Pctei Robinson's about 50 horses are maintained, in addition to an express service, for parcels reouired for prompt de- spatch. That so large business shoul have grown from such small beginnings is an evidence of what can be effected by individual effort when directed to a legitimate ohjecc. Hint the public arc thoroughly alive to the advantages to be derived from cash payments is etjualiy apparent, 1:; Peter Robinson's could have grown to such huge piojKirtioa.s if principle of doing busine-?- had not been appreciated, it also showa the pu'"lic sue not -h.vv to respond to any well uirerbe- 1IIq.¡>n."qt v lueh the cu»touMT 1l1 the '(>! is c, >r l'tl1, I e put upon the most satis f.iC.,«ry :r-rt'u»j^ towards 6«», i&Sl

from the same seed, yet the percentage of Bolid matter which they may yield may vary very considerably. We read of some, for instance, which yielded 12'40 per cent. of .solid matter, while others, from the same seed, yielded more than 16 per cent. All vege- tables, to be sure, must contain some watery fluid, and turnips, like all similar roots, must, contain what is called the juice of the bulb j" but what is referred to here is, not this natural and necessary juice or sap, but pure water, or what might be termed .extraneous fluid. Now, as turnips are used as food for cattle as well as for man, it is desirable that a farmer should have some idea as to what he is actually giving. It must be of material importance for him to know whether he is giving food which contains 16 or only 10 per cent. of solid nourishment. The main question is one of nutritive value. One plateful of good soup is better than two or three of thin watery stuff which contains almost no nutriment. Now the value—not the size merely—of a turnip deplds upon the manure applied to it. Experiments tried in the north of Scotland led to this con- clusion—"that the unduly rapid growth or development of large bulbs, such as "are induced in average seasons by nitrogen 4'with vitriolated (dissolved) manures, and "frequently by vitriolated manures alone, is "associated with the storing up of an extra "proportion of water in turnips. This may 41 take place to such a degree as to materially ■"reduce the real value of the crop," These are facts which must be valuable to agricul- turists, but we do not draw attention to them because of the individual value which they may possess. We have a very differeut and far-reaching object in view. Our desire is to suggest to farmers the prospect of being able to realise much larger profits by looking more to the labours of the experimentalist and the scientist than they are accus- tt- tomed to do. Farming ought not to t along at a snail's pace, while all the l-est of the world is using the very lightning for wings, and bringing all the forces of nature into service.