Monmouthshire Merlin

The Prince of Leiningen has, it is said, never entertained any intention of taking service in the German navy, and that never at any time has a command in it been offered to him. It is said to be the intention of her Majesty to confer upon Captain Lord Gifford, V.C the rank of major in the army on his taking up his colonial appointment, in recognition of the services of this officer at the Cape. The completion of the armour-plated ship Superb, one of the "purchased squadron," will, it is expected, be delayed until about the end of July, in consequence of defects which have been discovered in her machinery. Mr. Bradlaugh, who has gone to Paris to repose himself after his victory at Northampton, bas been interviewed by several French reporters, who have duly enlightened the French public as to the age, weight, and character of tho Radical member. Of the workmen hitherto engaged upon the St. Gothard Tunnel, whether at the Goschenen or Airolo ends, nearly 500, who were suffering from what is called the tunnel disease, had left by the beginning of the present month, and have gone to seek renewed health in their homes in Italy. SOCIAL LIFL IN HONG KONG.-A disorderly Chinaman is uncommon, and a lazy one probably does not exist. He is rarely out of employment, for he will turn his hand to anything; hence beggars are seldom met with in the streets; hence, also, unhappily, among their other in- dustries, that of picking pockets is included. In this pursuit they are very adroit, and in the allied art of asking half as much again for any- thing than they intend taking they are perhaps equally skilled and unprincipled. The houses and shops are most curiously constructed, and just as strangely fitted up; not one, however small or poor, but has its domestic altar, its joss, and other quaint and curious arrangements known only to these peculiarly strange people. Look where you will there are evidences of the custom- ary industry and enterprise of the surprising sons of Shem. Up every alley and in every street we see crowds of little yellow faces, and stumble against brokers or merchants hurrying on to their business, clad in the univeral blue jean jumper and trousers, cotton socks, and shoes of worked silk with thick wooden soles; some with and others without hats; the shaven face and pigtail so typifying the class, that to note a difference between Sun Shing or Wang Heng is sometimes most embarrassing. The dress of the women differs little from that of the men. The curious, built-up style the married ladies have of wearing their hair gives them a strange appearance; while the younger lasses allow theirs to hang down their backs in tresses, or wear it bound tightly over their foreheads, and secured au chignon. Their oheeks are tinted bright pink, and with their neat little feet and olean and loose clothing they make a very pretty picture. Although great numbers of other nationalities are to be seen, the Chinese are most conspicuous and in- teresting to the stranger; and when once the business of the day has begun, the din and traffic are enormous, for crowds of men of all oreeds and coloure-Jew, Pagan and Christian, Buddhist and Farsee, Chinese, Japanese and European-till the streets, while gangs of coolies chant to keep step, as they press on beneath their heavy burdens. The merchants, whose places of business lie along the Queen's road, are so similar in appear- anoe that a description of one will apply to all. He is generally a fat round-faced man, with an important and business-like look, wearing the same style of clothing as the meanest coolie—'but of finer material—and is always clean and neat; his long tail, ^ped with red or blue silk, hanging down to his 1B."—From II The Conntriet of the World,

SUPPOSED CHILD MURDER. It was reported to the Wednesbury police, on Monday, that the body of a newly-born male child had been found in a heap of night soil in a field at Black Late, near Wednesbury, by two girls named Grassmore and Davis. It is supposed that the child had been suffocated, and afterwards buried in the refuse.

BRUTAL GAROTTE ROBBERY. At the Manchester County Police Court, on Monday, Edward Hughes, a returned convict, and Ellen Hussey, a young woman, who had been several times convioted, were charged with garotte robbery. Prosecutor, Mr. Felix Lewis, was attacked by the male prisoner as he was re- turning home on the night of the 17th, and so badly injured that he could only appear on Monday to give evidence. He stated that his watch and chain were taken from him. Both prisoners were committed to the assizes.

BRIGANDS SENTENCED TO DEATH. At Palermo three brigands have been con. demned to death, and nine to 20, six to 15, and two to three years' imprisonment, for the murder of their captive, Catalfamo. His relatives had sent the ransom demanded, but the money being appropriated by a portion of the gang, the others, ignorant probably of its payment, struck off his head. Eight brigands have also been convicted at Palermo for carrying off Signor Perciro, from whom they extorted 25,000f. ransom, and they were sentenced to from 30 to 10 years' imprison- ment. ^—

COLLISION AT SEA: A SHIP SUNK. Information received on Monday morning from Liverpool states that the Allan line ship Romsdal, which has arrived in the Mersey from New York, reports that on the 10th April, in latitude 40 N., Ion. 70 W., she was in collision with the Nor- wegian barque Loveatana, bound from Messina to New York. The latter vessel was so seriously damaged that she began to sink, and the crew were taken on board the Romsdal and have been landed at Liverpool safely.

A WOMAN BURNT TO DEATH. A rag store keeper named Bell is in custody in Glasgow in connection with the rather suspicious death of his wife. The pair lived in the southern district of the city, and early on Sunday morning some women observed smoke issuing from the door of their dwelling. Bell's attention was directed to the circumstance, but he said it was only a box of matches, and on the women again speaking to him about it attempted to strike them. The police were informed of the matter, and on a constable and a civilian entering the room at the back of the small shop they found Mrs. Bell lying on the floor dead. and burned in a frightful manner. On account of the suspicious circum- stances Bell was apprehended pending inquiry.

ANOTHER GREAT TORNADO IN AMERICA. A telegram from New York, on Tuesday, says: A tornado swept over Macon, Mississippi, on Sun- day, partially destroying the town and killing 17 persons.

THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE SULTAN Arestarchi Bey and Papadopulo, the two indiv- duals arrested charged with conspiring against the Sultan, have been sentenced by the Criminal Court to exile for life.

THE DIFFICULTY BETWEEN ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO. A Constantinople telegram of Monday says: The Council of Ministers, for the purpose of con- sidering the Montenegro-Albanian difficulty, has adjourned without arriving at any decision.

THE OUTRAGES ON AMERICAN FISHER- MEN IN CANADIAN WATERS. A Washington telegram, dated April 27th, says: Pending the action of the United States Congress regarding the Treaty of Washington, two American men-of-war will be sent to Canadian waters to protect American fishermen against a recurrence of outrages similar to those complained of at Fortune B y.

DOINGS AT THE CAPEf A Cape Town despatch dated March 30th states that the bill increasing the hut tax to 20s. had been read a first time. The executive will shortly bring in an indemnity bill. Mr. Justice DebreA has been appointed chief justice of the Transvaal. A robbery of gold and diamonds at Harrismitb was committed by Kaffirs who have been captured The Basutos are not giving up their guns to any extent, and the Government do not appear to be pressing the matter severely.

DEATH OF KING THEEBAU'S SON. Writing on March 26th. the Rangoon correspon- aent of the Daily New. says: King Theebau hai suffered a great blow. His seven-months'-old son has died of smallpox, and his Majesty is inconsol- able. The child was declared heir apparent, Ain, Shay-Min, before he was a week old, a most un* common thing in Bunnah, where the successor to the throne is not usually named till the King is in his last illness. There are two reasons fcr this. The Ain-Shay-Min might endeavour unduly to accelerate his accession, or some of the other children might kill the heir. Theebau, how- ever, though he hates the English, adopts many of their customs, and a Royal mandate announced in October to the Ministers, the people, and the Celestial Elephant that the first-born son was also the heir. Vast sums were spent upon him. He was rocked in a cradle encrusted with diamonds, rubies, samphires, and emeralds of in. credible value. His outfit-he was to be dressed en Anglais—cost five thousand rupees. AU the people living round the palace stockade had to buy new cooking pots, lest the smell of raneid oil from old dekcheese might offend the tender nostrils. And now the poor little thing is dead. Perhaps it is as well. An heir- apparent, declared so young, would almost cer- tainly have been made away with as soon as he became old enough to be worth killing. Smallpox has been very bad in the Royal city, as indeed it is all over Burmah just now, 15,000 of his Majesty's subjeots are said to have been carried off by it, 10,000 of these young children, so that Thebau has plenty of fellow mourners.

THE KHEDIVE AND HIS PEOPLE. The Alexandria correspondent of the Standard* telegraphing on April 21st, says:—The following is the text of an address which the Khedive has made in reference to his official tours in the pro- vinces of Upper and Lower Egypt, as well as upon the subject of publio instruction:—"In under- taking these journeys I am carrying out a task I imposed upon myself when I ascended the throne, viz., to visit in person the different parts of my country, in order to judge for myself the actual state of things and to ascertain the wants and aspirations of my people, thus establishing contentment among my subjects and promotmg the prosperity of Egypt, which objects are ever uppermost in my thoughts. The manner in which, during my voyages to Fayoum and to the First Cataract, all classes of the popu- lation flocked to offer me their assur- ances of devotion, their gratitude for all my solicitude in their behalf, and for the reforms which have been instituted, are a source of great gratification to me, and encourage me in my task. 1 anxiously desire the development of public in. struction, in proof of which I contribute from my own resources to no less than twelve different schools, which are attended by over eight hundred pupils."

BRITISH ATROCITIES. I have heard and seen many horrible things, but this I must say, that the most atrocious villains, and the most lovable beings on the face of God's earth, are to be found among the white men. A more kind-hearted soul than Sergeani Shelley could never be conceived; and another man in my corps used to carry about, concealed under his jacket, a broken reaping hook, to cut the throats of the women and children we had taken prisoners on our night expeditions. As another proof of what men may beoome in time of warfare, Dix one morning came to inform me that I could not have my usual bath in the smaU copper vat in which I had been accustomed to take my matutinal tubbing. Upon further inquiries I found that it had been used for a purpose which I will not attempt to describe. Doctor A of the 60th, had asked my men to procure him a few native skulls of both sexes. This wast task easily accomplished. One morning they brought back to camp about two dozen heads of various ages. As these were not supposed to be m a presentable state for the doctor's acceptance, rhe next night they turned my vat into a cauldron or the removal of superfluous flesh. And there these men sat, gravely smoking their pipes during the livelong night, and stirring round and round the heads in that seething boiler, as though they were cooking blaok apple dumplings.—" What I saw in Katfir Land," by Sir Stephen Laheman.

HORRIBLE MURDER AT DERBY. At 11.45 on Monday morning a man visited Derby police-station, and stated that he had an important confession to "ia.!™. The Chief Constable, Lieut.- Colonel Delacombe, who was in the Police Court, was at once sent for, and, on his arriving in the police. office, the man said, You had better send someone to my house. I have committed a murder; you can go and see." When making this statement he was quite sober, and appeared calm ana in his senses, and his statement was made in such a manner as to cause it to be disbelieved. The Chief Constable, however, quickly proceeded to the house of the man, who gave his name as John Wake- field, No. 1 court, house 13, Green street. On arriving there he found the front door locked, and the house apparently uninhabited, while the tenants of the two adjoining houses were sdso out at work. He found the key of the door inside the window, and on enter- ing the front room he saw a child lying in the inner corner dead, a pool of blood being under her head, and two severe wounds, apparently from stabbing, in the throat. A medical man was sent for, and Dr. Smart ,x&m shortly arrived, and he, after examining the body, pronounced life to be extinct. The body of the was then removed to the mortuary in the Morledge. It seems that the name of the deceased was Eliza Wilkinson. She was nine years old, the daughter of a man named James Wilkinson, who is at present living in Bridge street, but who has recently removed from Newcastle. She and an elder sister, 17 years of age, went out in the early part of the morning to sell comb-boxes in the neighbourhood. The elder sister left the de- ceased at the top of the yard, and the deceased child, a few moments before she must have entered the prisoner's house, knocked at the door of a neighbour, who, although she did not see the girl, heard her ask if she required any combs. She called out that tbe did not, not opening the door owing to being too busy. The child, it is supposed, then went to the prisoner's house, but what actually took place there prior to the murder has not yet transpired. Her knees were bruised and scratched as if there had been a struggle. At a quarter past eleven a neighbour named Elizabeth Henley saw the prisoner coming from his house up the court, appa- rently as if nothing had happened, and this would be about the time when he was starting to go to the police-office. The Chief Constable on hit return to the police-office, about half-past one, charged the prisoner on his own confession with the wilful murder of Eliza Wilkinson, but Wakefield, who was dull and morose, refused to make any further statement. It is reported that the prisoner about two years ago was sentenced to a month's imprison- ment for indecent assault upon a girl. He is about 30 years of age, has lived with his mother, who is a widow, and was of such an idle and worthless charac- ter that he would not work, and she had to keep him At the time of the occurrence he was perfectly soberi and it is said that he is not a man of drunken habits. From inquiries made last evening, it appears that the prisoner Wakefield, maintained a dogged silence, and shows no inclination to make any confession. A further examination of the body of the murdered <rirl has been made with the result of showing that the euts penetrated right through the neck, the point coming out on the opposite side..The jugular vein was cut, and death would be almost instantaneous. An incised wound was found on one of the shoulders, and this was evidently inflicted by the knife during the struggle. The medical examination also resulted in the dis- covery of a slight bruise on the abdomen, but the gen- tleman who conducted the inquiry was of opinion that no actual violation took K>l&ce. Whether violence of that nature was attempted is question about Which there seems but one oniniatr

A Wurzburg court martial has inflioted four months' imprisonment on Lieutenant End for brutality inwards conscripts. Numerous witnesses from Metz appeared against him, and the non- commissioner officers expressed indignation at his oonduot. The public prosecutor asked for his being cashiered and fofr three months' imprison- ment, but the court did not accept this suggestion* Slate Cohnst «pi fine Oebaer, hit *iiOi herbalists, tff aftA eflker plaoes, £ **e been ohavged y Town |aU with fee wilful murder of Juwry Bridge, widow of Edwd. Bridge, solicitor, OB March Wife. It was alleged that the offsnoe was committed in the perform- ance of an illegal ourgical operation. In oonse- quence of the female prisoner being ill the oese was remanded for a week.

A BUNCH OF DEAD VIOLETS. [FROM TINSLEY" KAGAZINB.] OREENWATS ROYAL HIPPODROME. The largest anl most wonderful Circus in the j World. Jumbo the eccentric Elephant, and the Extra- ordinary Peacock. Mules, Donkey*, Dogs. Banco, Clown, and hiB inimitable jokes. Startling and ^Paralleled feats of Equestrianism. Mademoiselle JrtJciUe, the Wonder of the West, on her trained horse Spitfire. Doors open at seven o'clock Entrance, 6d.; served seats, Is. It was a very exciting bill of fare for a drill Cathedral town, in which mundane amusement "&8 believed to pave the road to perdition. And 10 thought Charlie Wilmot, a captain in the **D.G., whose regiment had been quartered five J*eary months in York. He glanced at his watobi Five o'clock!" he said to himself, half aloud; just time enough to dine comfortably, and drop •J1 about the middle of one mummery. I'll go! ^ything is better than the routine of this rjrrible plaoe." At about nine o'clock Charlie • ••llmot strolled quietly into a seat at the circus, "much aloof as possible from his kind. i-: The orohestra, at the moment, after two dis- cordant crashes, struck up a monotonous, but not ^melodious, air. The gate opened wide, and • Mademoiselle Lucille, the "Wonder of the West, On her trained horse Spitfire, appeared. In she tame amidst clapping of hands—a bit of a girl, Scarcely more than a child; a slight figure in a tightly-fitting dark green habit; a figure lovely how, but giving promise of perfection later; a face beautiful as a houri's, pure as an angel's; great innocent blue eyes, very sad and wistful, a sorry eontrast to the stereotyped smile that rested on the soft red lips; tiny features, chiselled like a Cameo; a skin as though she had been dieted on blilk and roses; and hair that was a positive glory long, rippling, shining, straying over the deli- cate temples down to the slender supple waist. Spitfire was a good-looking bit of horseflesh, and Merited the puffing he got in the bill. There was vice in his eye either, in spite of his dangerous cognomen; and he waltzed and CaPered, pirouetted and vaulted at the ^"1 of his rider. Mademoiselle Lucille a decided success. As she went round ? round, the audience cheered and cbeTv "while a deeper rose flush tinted her lin smile still beamed on her half-parted P8« and the same sad, wiBtful look in her large i^?8> and Charlie Wilmot, roused out of both naolence and ennui, sat with his gaze fixed on ». girl's face. That face had fairly fascinated •Mar ^ken the last round was completed. The Wonder of the West" flew down from her steed lightly as a bird, and bowed and kissed her wny hands to the audience she had taken by I orm. Then, as she turned to go, Charlie Wilmot ™ant eagerly forward, and, taking a bunch of violets from his coat, he flung them down. They touched Mademoiselle Lucille's glittering hair .Ill their fall. She quickly lifted up her face; two pairs of eyes met. Then the girl Stooped, picked up the violets, and thrust them into her bosom. Charlie Wilmot strolled home through the silent streets. The I I Wonder of the West" had bewitched him. The demon of ennui Was exorcised bv Mademoiselle Lucille's face. Was he really ceught at last? The thought Struck him ludicrously, and he laughed aloud. •• Mademoiselle Lucille forsooth I Probably a Jemima or a Betbey sprung from the lowest depths—a girl who plied her trade tor the amuse- loent of a grovelling mass, whose very features sind lorm were to be commented on and criticised by vulgar tongues. But what a figure she had! And what eyeB! Charlie Wilmot fell asleep, with the blue eyes, so sad and so wistful, of Made- moiselle Lucille looking into his. The two following evenings found Charlie at *he circus. Immovable, almost spell-bound, he patched Lucille in her flying rounds. Was it only Wa cyt he wondered, or did the blue eyes that jaunted him perpetually turn his way? On evening, with his hat slouched over his I •lltiff*. he waited in the shadow, near the back fast of the building; and his heart beat very Came a little figure wrapped, in a dark cloak TWf and Blightly touched him in passing. Start- Uch sent quite a thrill through him, and tirj. forward, he laid a finger lightly on the P 18 shoulder. She shrank away without glancing towards him. and hurried on aB if afraid. But Charley felt that he must speak to her. Made- moiselle Lucille I" he murmured, in a low voice, that shook a little in spite of himself. She paused. Rer face, smaller, whiter, lovelier than ever in the starlight, was turned fully to him. But she did not speak. "Forgive me," he said at last— forgive me for having detained you; but-" She recognised him at this minute. He was the man *k° had flung violets at her—the handsomest man she bad ever seen. But what? ahe asked, in a shy voice. And a warm pink colour surged over her face, two broad white lips drooped, and long curling lashes cast a shadow on her cheek. "But I could not help it," Charlie Answered deprecatingly. Charlie never knew how came about. But Lucille's hand, looking like 8mall snow-rift, was fast imprisoned in his and Lucille's beautiful face was very close to hi8 own. "Lucille," he whispered, "I love I youHe felt the hand flutter in his. He could hear her breath come fast, her heart beating in Unison with his own; and all this emboldened Ililn. It isn t strange, is it, Lucille, that a man Should lose, not only his head, but his heart, to a face like this?" And, putting his hand under her chin, he gently raised her face. Lucille did not shrink away from him now. She was no high- born lady, and this rapid wooing did not offend Thoroughly guileless and frank herself, she reeved in the man whose eyes had met hers- Ofc boldly, but softly-almost tenderly. Greenway's Royal Hippodrome" proved a fj^d success. Throngs of people crowded in, and |>^departure of the circus from York was daily coined; and among the throng Charlie Wilmot *be nightly seen. Punctually at the hour of tjj 1 five minutes before Lucille came on, he rfladed his way to a seat close to the entrance of fing; and later, when the town grew silent still, a pair walked up and down the street, n°rgetful of everything save themselves. It was the old, old story, sweeter each time it is *°ld, owing as muoh to witchery now as when *-dam whispered it to hiB Eve amidst the scented Bowers of Paradise; and between love words and oare8se3 Charlie gleaned that Lucille had nothing foreign about her but her professional name. She jjaa simply a waif, a stray, cast on the rough °* hfe, with nothing to guard her from evil ovine v* 8hield of her own innocence and the ^Whdnesa of God- Ha^she* her father, who was her mother? To all of whichL^n* had 8he a brobher,?" wistful shadow shook her head, while the aers of her mouth her iris and for; Sou had no recoUe?Sl^AlilM daspin^her nearer for the ah107 Charlie asked, lible loneliness. •'No. tlaak« of herter" of memory she could only evoke ofTb^rownhand on her^^ly touch ••Polly" and "Pet" in a ™>rds «ver since she was quite a Biodgers (that was Greenway s real patronymic) had been ier maBter. He was not always eruel; sometitDe8 Mien he was angry, he struck her. Baring her Blender wrist, she showed a purple mark on the soft white flesh, and Charlie, with murderous Wings towards the brute Blodgere, seized the Jelicate arm and devoured it with and Lucille forgot the pain of the bruise in the thrill those kisses sent through her heart. Seven meetings, each meeting composed of two Jours, had gone by love cannot be measured by £ ime; it springs up like a fungus m the night, it flourishes apace, and, like the wind, none know Whence it cometh nor whither it goeth; with Lucille love was a pure and holy thing. With Charlie; well, a man's love has always a mingling Of the material. He loved Lucille madly; he could not live without her; she was homeless, friendless; surely it could be no wrong to take her from her wretched life, from stinging taunts and cruel blows, from what might become deepor m- r (amy, to surround her with comfort and luxury, to strew her path with honey and roses, to lavish on her the whole love, truth, and fidelity of his ?onl. Marriage was, after all, but a ceremonial; '"the eyes of Heaven what could be more accept- able than a true union of heart? Thus he argued, v°ice of passion lending sophistry to his argu- • and the voice of passion won. «• We have each other some time now, Lucille," he an • ia only the twelfth day; of ac- X aintance;" but, aa has been remarked c« °re' love cannot be measured by the it.[ m1°nPlace method of hours, minutes, and "DoeB it not seem years and years, all my life," the child answered In h«i?r' nnc°nscious how bare sh laid her heart hefera &°' it was quite true she had existed Th«v CUt 8^e had only lived twelve days. J been very happy, these Hoots to- gether; haven't they, little one?" She did not reply; she only clung tighter to his arm, and bending down kissed his hand. And what shall we do when it is all over, my child? When all what is over?" she asked, in a queer hushed voice. "I mean when the circus leaves York- when you and I part, darling?" "Part!" The word broke from her in a whisper; the face he looked down on was white as the driven snow; the blue eyes were pitiful-so pitiful. Part, Charlie 1" she whispered again, slowly, as if waking out of a heavy sleep; her limbs trembled, her breath came in little faint gasps, and she grasped his arm more tightly to save herself from falling. It was all up now; the child's white face, the terror-stricken look in her eyes, dashed away every remnant of resolution to do right; he could not marry her, but they must not part; he stood still and faced her. "I cannot marry you, Lucille." He said it honestly, bravely; it was a sort of salve to his conscience not to deceive her, even if he wronged her; but Lucille knew nothing of marriage, nor of any social laws, so she merely crept a little nearer to him. And I shall always stay with you, always see you, Charlie?" she asked without a blush. A great throb of com- punction shot through the man's heart; her utter innocence of evil pleaded so strongly for her that he almost resolved to give her up, even at this eleventh hour; he looked at her, and the beauty of her face conquered him again; no, he could not give her up; he caught her to him, so that he should not meet her pure eyes while he spoke. Lucille, will you go with me to-morrow to come country where no one will know us, and then we need never part again?" "Oh Charlie 1" Only his name; but the smile she gave, the sparkling light in her eyes, were more eloquent than a thousand flowers of rhetoric. Charlie Wilmot went home in a curious tumult of feeling; the knowledge that in a few hours Lucille would be his own filled him with a mad sort of happiness; but, at the same time, con- science smote him with a pertinacity that forced him to listen. What was he about to do; the most cowardly action that a man could commit; he was going to take advantage of a girl's ignor- ance of evil. Lucille was a waif, a stray; but she was as guileless as an infant, with a nature as pure as gold; if she understood right and wrong, would she have hesitated to follow the right; the answer was honestly, no. Charlie pictured to himself how Lucille would grieve for him; he conjured her up, her cheek wan and pallid, her eyes haggard and sunken; he remembered the torture she went through, and again he f iltered in his purpose; then came the thought-Lucille may suffer, but she does not sin; it was his hand that would drag her across the black gulf that divides the pure from the impure; no power on earth could make her recross that gulf; suppose he died suddenly, what would become of her; this de- cided him, and with an aching pain at his heart, such as he had never felt in his life before, Charlie Wilmot found himself on the morrow in the down express, resolved to put miles and miles between himself and a dire temptation. And Lucille watched and waited with that tear- less agony that is the hardest of all. She could neither eat, drink, nor sleep in the sickness of hope deferred. The last day of Greenway's Royal Hippodrome at York arrived. Before the sun rose again the huge caravan would be far from the city. All through the day Lucille moved in a sort of dream, and not a crumb passed her lips. There was a long rehearsal, and Spitfire went through new evolutions, while the hand that held his rein was cold as a stone. Then, when her task was over, the girl crept back slowly and wearily to her mean lodging, and wrote Charlie a little letter. It was the last night of the season, and the circus was crowded to overflowing. Mademoiselle Lucille, the "Wonder of the West," on her trained horse Spitfire, rode into the ring. One eager rapid glance she threw round the building—a piteous heartbroken glance-that rested an instant on a familiar seat; then a broad white line of pain ran round the lips that wore their stereotyped smile; a strong shudder passed over the slender figure, and Lucille pressed her gauntleted hand down hard on her heart, as if in acknowledgment of her enthusiastic reception. The performance went on. Spitfire waltzed and capered, pirouetted and vaulted obediently. The fifes, violins, drums, and triangles sounded louder and louder; Banco cracked his whip harder and harder, and Spitfire flew madly round and round. Then came the final tableau. The whole house rose in a thunder of applause; but- Close by the entrance to the ring was gathered a horrox-strickeu group. On the ground, her long hair falling round her like a glittering veil, lay Mademoiselle Lucille; her blue eyes wide open, a smile still on her lips, and Spitfire's foot upon her chest. Banco the clown, pallid through his paint, drew the little childish figure from Spitfire's fatal tread, and, unfastening the dark-green habit, put his hand on Lucille's heart. A few dead violets met his touch. The poor little heart they rested on was still. A few days afterwards Charlie Wilmot came back to York. He had made up his mind to marry Lucille. Greenway's Royal Hippodrome was gone, but the Wonder of the West" was left behind, sleeping quietly under a- newly-made mound. What Charlie felt, God and his own heart only knew. He wore a brave front before the world. He is vears and years older now, streaks of silver gleam through his clustering brown curls; but often and often, when the day- light has waned and shadows trail across the earth, he reads Lucille's little letter:- That was our very last good-night, Charlie. We are going to-morrow, and I shall never see your face again. My heart feels so cold and strange, Charlie— just as if it was starved. Good-bye, Charlie! I send half the violets you gave me that first night, to remind you of your poor little-LUCILLE. A simple childish letter; but as Charlie reads his eyes grow very dim. Then he takes up the bunch of dead violets and presses them to his lips.

A SEA SERPENT YARN. Captain Andrew B. Chase, master of the brig Isadora Rionda, has devoted his life since reach. ing the age of discretion to building up such a reputation for probity and veracity that no idle breath of mookery, no ill-considered, hasty sneer can be considered sufficient to invalidate any serious statement that he makes. Messrs. Miller and Houghton, shipping merchants of this city and reputable men, declare that they know Cap. tain Chase, and entertain no manner of doubt of his word. He is a strictly reliable man," sua Messrs. Miller and Houghton in one breath. "But," said the reporter, dubiously, "if he should saw that be sea a say ser—- I mean if he should say that he saw a sea-seipent "-and he paused. Well, even in that case," said Messrs. Miller and Houghton, after a moment's silence. And then they paused also. "Well?" said the reporter. Well, he is a strictly reliable man. so far as we know him," said Messrs. Miller and Houghton. And you do know him ?" We do." Thus favourably introduced, Captain Chase spun his yarn. "When I was in latitude, 26 deg. 60 min. north and longitude 76 deg. 08 min. west, on my last trip," he began. Wait until I get that down," said the reporter. Captain Chase waited. "When I was in latitude," &c., Raid he, beginning again, "I gained the deck at about half-past twelve p.m. on Maroh 13, just after having eaten my dinner." It was the usual dinner?" said the reporter, with an interrogation point in his voice. Quite the same as usual," said the Captain. I had just gained the deck- "Wasthere much lush in the dinner?"asked the reporter. 11 Not any," said the Captain. What, not-t" began the reporter. Well, hardly any, said Captain Chase; "hut I want it to be distinctly understood that this is not her Majesty's——" I beg pardon; pray go on," said the reporter. Well, I had just gained the deck, and I took a look ahead, and I saw it." II Saw what?"' The sea serpent-the great and veritable beast himself." n You are sure it was the sea serpent?" Sure? Don't I tell you I saw him." How far eff was he?" Not more than two hundred yards. I think it was a little less, may be a matter of ten or twelve yards short, but I always try to be accu- rate. Say it was two hundred yards." What was he doing?" He didn't seem to be doing much of anything excepting to swim along oomfortably and easily. He wasn't even turning his head to look around, and he didn't seem to notice the ship. I saw him just as he raised his head out of the water, and I should sav about a half of his oody. Now mind, I don t say it was half. I always try to be accurate, and about a thing like this I wouldn't like to be put down wrong. Of course I couldn't see the other half; so I don't know as I did see half of him, but I judged it was about half. He reared up at about fifteen degrees angle. It might have been fourteen or sixteen. Of course, I couldn't measure it." What did he do after putting his head up?" II He put it down again." "More than once?" Yes; three times in quick succession before I lost sight of him." Well, what else?" said the xeportor, after a short silence. •• Nothing else; that's aU." But didn't any one else see him filii No. The man on look-out was hngry. and was looking down to see if his relief wae coming. I shouted, of course; but before anybody could understand and look where I was looking the serpent was gone. We saw nothing more of him; but as we came up to the place where he had been, we could see a great agitation of the water." "Very like a whale, I suppose?'' said the reporter. 7. Not in the least like a whale," said Captain Chase, severely. "110m familiar with whales and other marine monsters, but I never saw a similar commotion in the water." How large was he?" said the reporter, some. what abashed. His head must have been at least fifteen feet long, and that part of his body which I saw was certainly fifty feet long, perhaps more," said Captain Chase. He was-well, he was not less than a hundred feet long. I want to be accurate." What did he look like ?" He was dark coloured. The sun was clouded at the time, so I couldn't get any reflection, and can't say just what colour, but it was dark. His bead was something like a horse's head without the ears. I couldn't see his eye plainly, and his mouth was shut. His neck was long and taper- ing, and his body at the thickest part that I saw was perhaps a yard in diameter." And that was all you saw?" All I Well I should say it was enough. I have some curiosity, but I saw all I wanted to under the circumstances.New York Herald.

KILLING A WIFE. At the Manchester County Police Court, on Mon- day, Joseph Ratoliffe, silk weaver, was committed for trial for causing the death of his wife by throwing a glass at her.

MURDER IN IRELAND. A shocking murder was perpetrated on Sunday, at Fiddown, County Kilkenny, a girl named Walsh being shot dead in her own house. Two men, named Hickey and Cahill, have been arrested on suspicion. Jealousy is understood to have been the motive for the crime..

AN EVICTED IRISH TENANT. A man named M'Kee, who was recently evicted at Cultra, County Mayo, has been conducted back to his house by a crowd of men who broke open the door and put him in possession again, and posted notices threatening death to any man attempting to disturb the tenant.

EXCITING SCENE AT A GAMBLING CENTRE. At Monaco on Saturday night, while the Monte Carlo gambling-room was crowded, an explosion broke the windows, looking-glasses, and time- pieces, and threw down and slightly injured several persons. It is believed that a dynamite bomb was thrown into the room for the purpose of robbing the bank during the panic, and one player was attacked and robbed by four men, but as the officials all remained at their posts no further plunder was effected.

THE MISSING TRAINING SHIP. The Tamar troopship arrived at Portsmouth from the West Indies on Monday. Anxious in- quiries were made directly the Tamar came along- side as to whether those on board had any tidings of the Atalanta. The Tamar's crew, however, stated that until then they were unaware of the lengthened absence of the training ship. Three days after leaving Bermuda they passed a good deal of floating wreckage, but, it being night at the time, no definite information concerning it was obtained.

SEVERE WEATHER IN THE ATLANTIC. Telegrams received at Lloyd's from New York report a continuance of bad weather in the North Atlantic. The large steamer Prior, 1648 tons, from Glasgow, has arrived at New York, and her captain reports having had a fearful voyage aoross, during which the decks and boats were damaged. The vessel had also been in collision with an iceberg, and her fore compartment was full of water, holes having been made in her bows. The ship Evangeline, from Liverpool to New York, has been abandoned, all hands saved. The ship Almattea, from Bristol to New York, has also been abandoned. Crew saved, and landed at St. Michael's.

FIRES AT HALIFAX. TWO PERSONS SUFFOCATED. About half-past six o'clock on Sunday morning, -smoke was seen issuing from a dwelling-house in Coplev street, Haley hill, Halifax, occupied by John Robinson and his wife. A neighbour named John Bowman was the first to observe it, and he went in search of a policeman. Having found Police-conetable Crossley, they, along with others, entered the house and found it on fire. The flames were soon extinguished, after which they discovered Robinson and his wife, both dead. They had been suffocated, and were rather scorched about the head. Early on Saturday morning, a police-constable who was on duty in Haley hill discovered a fire in one of the sheds of Messrs. James Akroyd and Son, Limited He at once raised an alarm, and the fire-bell was rung at the Town Hall. The reel- cart was despatched, and the fire brigade quickly assembled. It was found that the fire was con- fined to a very large shed situated immediately above the Coach and Horses Inn. in which was stored aa immense quantity of tops. Although no time was lost in attaching the hose to the mains, yet there was much ditn- culty in directing the supply of water to the actual seat of the fire, as this could not be dis- covered owing to the clouds of smoke which inter- fered with the efforts of the firemen. Crowds of people assembled in the vicinity, but the density of the smoke arising from the burning bales was suflocating. The shed is sixty yards square, and was stated to be fireproof, although as the contla. gration continued a portion of the roof gave way, and let down with a crash a quantity of valuable combing machinery. For hours the water seemed to have little effect, and in fact it was not until one o'clock that the flames were altogether sub- dued. The value of the stock of tops was con- siderable, and, with the damage to the combing machinery, it is estimated that the loss will be from £30,000 to £ 40,000. Shortly after the fire was discovered, a comber, named Edward Hooson, of Plough Croft lane, was found lying unconscious on the room floor from suffocation. He was re- moved to the Coach and Horses Inn, and was attended by Dr. Wallace. In a short time he re- covered sufficiently to be removed home, where he now lieB still suffering from the effects.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A VISCOUNTESS. — A Pari* correspondent writes that a painful accident occurred on Friday, April 23rl, in the Bms de Boulogne. A lady, residing at Versailles, was thrown from her horse. Her foot remained in the stirrup, and the animal started off at a quick gallop. Every effort to stop it was made by those who witnessed the scene, but the speed was too great, and the poor woman wis dragged along on her head. She made one desperate effort to raise herself, and had succeeded in getting hold oi the stirrup leather, but, receiving a kick on the head, she fell baok, and probably died at once. The remains of the unfortunate lady—a. viscountess -were taken to Versailles

REVENUE RETURNS The Revenue returns from the 1st to the 24tt April amount to £ 5,886,914, against the returns ir the corresponding period of last year of £ 6,520,298.

SEIZURE OF FIREARMS IN IRELAND. An extensive seizure of rifles and bayonets. with a large quantity of ammunition, has just been made in a smith's forge, in Toberoorry, Sligo county. Several persons have been arrested.

SHOOTING A GIRL IN IRELAND. A man named Cahill haa been arrested neai Piltown, Clonmel, for shooting a young woman named Mary Walsh, on Sunday night. Cahill had been drinking and was incensed by seeing the girl walk with another man. She afterwards came to the place where he was and commenced jeering him, whereupon he took np an old mus- ket and shot her. She died in a few minutes.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES. A Margate telegram of Tuesday afternoon reports that a barque went ashore on the Wool- pack Sand, about 7 miles from Margate, and became a total wreck. The crew left in their own boats. A telegram from Goole states that the master of the Catherina reports having passed in long. 38 W., lat. 21 N., the barque Ulster, 1028 tons, derelict and water-logged. She was laden with deals, and belonged to St. John's, New Brunswick.

DOINGS AT THE CAPE. A telegram from Cape Town says a Mr. Parker, of Leydenberg, writes to the Natal paper that there is no sign of gold in Secocoeni's country. A correspondent of the Natal Mercury states that the people in Zululand are generally dissatisfied with the present government of their country. The Kimberley Municipality has re-opened ne- gotiations with Chevalier Lynch for a compre- hensive water supply scheme. The Peace Preservation Act is proclaimed in the Gaiette as in force in Basutoland. Commissioner of Public Works has promised a deputation that the survey of the country between Cookhuis and Fort Beaufort should be made with a view to connect the eastern and midland lines.

CANADIAN FINANCE. An Ottawa telegram of Monday's date says:- The Finance Minister to-day introduced a resolu- tion authorising the Government to issue Dominion notes to the amount of 8,000,000 dols., and Smit- ing the total issue outstanding to 20,000,000 dols., provided the Government held at least 15 per cent. in gold and 10 per cent. in Dominion securi- ties for redemption. After discussion the resolu- tion passed, and the bill was formally introduced. A resolution compelling the banks after July next year to pay in Dominion notes on demand, and prohibiting the issue of notes under R5 also passed. The importation of animals from Europe is only permitted at Halifax, St. John's, and Quebec.

General Sir Garnet Wolseley and staff leave Capetown for England on May 4th by Messrs. Donald Currie and Company's steamer Conway Castle. It was resolved at a meeting of the North and South Wales Bank shareholders on Tuesday, in Liverpool, to form it into a limited liability company. At Swansea, a coroner's jury on Tuesday returned a verdict of manslaughter against Police-constable Plumley, who was arrested for the death of a watchman named Fowley. For personating his uncle at the recent South West Lancashire election, James Graham, of Warrington, was at Kirkdale Sessions on Tuesday sentenced to three months' imprisonment. The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Cork on Tuesday, and, accompanied by the Mayor, in- spected the public institutions. In the afternoon his Royal Highness was entertained at luncheon by the Mayor. At noon on Tuesday three young men, named Armstrong, Hunter, and Fairless, went out from Hartlepool in a ship's jolly boat into the bay. The weather being rough, the boat capsized and all three were drowned. On Saturday morning a passenger train from Edinburgh, on the Caledonian Railway, ran into an engine about ten miles from the city. Three passengers and a guard were injured. The engine with which the train collided was being used at shunting. The driver of the passenger train has been apprehended. THE HISTORY OF Tffz COMPASS.—The history of the compass in Europe has been much contro- verted. The twelfth century is assigned as the period of its introduction into Europe; but it does not appear to have been then brought into com- mon use for nautical purposes. Though passages of various dates speak explicitly of the use of the compass for land purposes, yet no men- tion of the magnet for navigation ocours in any Chinese books that have come to the knowledge of Europeans, till the dynasty of Tsin, which lasted from the year 265 to 419 A.D. It is in the great dictionary, Roi-wen-you-fou; and it is there stated that there were then iron ships directed to the south by the needle." Sir John Davis con- tends that this passage rather refers to the mag- nitude of their ships, and the extent of the voyages which they performed, than to the introduction of the needle into marine affairs. In the ninth century two Mahometan travel- lers are stated to have traded in ships to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea., and though the compass is not mentioned, it is utterly improbable that the Chinese should have known the directive property of the magnet, and ,uries, and yet have used it on land in thirty centuries, and yet not have employed it at sea.. About 1260, according to Dante's teaoher, the needle was highly useful at sea, but the navigators were pre- judiced against its adoption; for, says he, no master mariner dares to use it, lest he should fall under the suspicion of being a magician; nor would even the sailors venture themselves out to sea under his command, if he took with him an instrument which carries so great an appearance of being constructed under the influence of some infernal spirit." Dante refers, in a simile, to the needle which points to the star;" and Ray- mond Lully, in 1286, remarked that the seamen of his time employed "instruments of measurement, sea charts, and the magnetic needle.' Theearliest mention of the primitive mariner's compass in Eng lish records is that in a work by Alexander Neckam (born about 1150), entitled Treatise on 'Things pertaining to Ships. In the reign of Edward III. the magnet was known as the sailstone or ada- mant, and the compass was called the sailing needle or dial; though it is long aftei this period that we first find the word compass. Chaucer who died in 1400, mentions the oompass, and the sailors reckoning thirty-two points of the horizon, which is the present division of the card. Dr.. Gilbert, physician to Queen Elizabeth, and who bestowed much attention upon magnetism, com. pared the earth to a great magnet; and in OU1 time Faraday said, The earth is a great magnet its power, according to Gauss, being equal tc that which would be conferred if every cubn yard of it contained six one pound magnets the sum of the force is, therefore, equal t. 8,464,000,000,000,000,000,000 such magnets. Th. use of the word compass had become familiar 11 the reign of Charles L, and Rowo, in his play o Jane Shore," speaks of the seaman's compass. —From Tnhnicul Educate