Monmouthshire Merlin

THE SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE SECRETARY OF THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS' LEAGUE. The charge against Hy. Chas. Edwards, secre- tary of the Licensed Victuallers' National Defence League, of sending a threatening letter to two of the Birmingham magistrates, was heard last week. On the 3rd of January last Messrs. Buckley and Heaton, who sat at the police court to hear licensing cases, received a letter, in which it was stated:—" To-day's decision will decide how long you have to live. So much for your favourite Shaw. Beware! This was supposed to refer to two cases in which the Chairman of the Bir- mingham Licensed Victuallers' Association was charged with illegal trading. The opinion of Messrs. Chabot and Netliercliffe, the experts, was subsequently taken on the writing, and the pro- ceedings against Mr. Edwards were then insti- tuted. Evidence was now given as to the simi- larity of the defendant's writing to that of the threatening letter, and Messrs. Chabot and Netliercliffe detailed several alleged points of agreement between the two.—For the defence, several witnesses who knew the defendant inti- mately. and were familiar with his writing, stated that there was no similarity between the writing, and gave him a high character as an honourable, straightforward man.—The magistrates considered that a jury s-ould not convict, and dismissed the case. The jprcsecution was undertaken by the 1 Treasury,

Reports of Russian Red Cross agents state that a great deal of sickness prevails among the troops in Turkey. The New York Sun pressingly invites Prince Bismarck to visit the United States. It assures him that the fresh air of Colorado. Nevada, and California would greatly refresh him after his recent labours, and do wonders to restore his health. It also promises him the most cordial re- ception in all parts of America. Lieut. Arthur Babington, of H.M.S. Devesta- t iun, who was tried by court-martial on the Ctli inst. for neglect of duty during the middle watch in not having attended to signals made to the I Devastation from the flagship in the Sea of Mar- mora, has been sentenced to be severely repri manded and to be dismissed his ship. The sig- nalman has been court-martialled for the same offence, and sentenced to fourteen days' imprison- ment in the ship's cell. The recent quarrel beiween the students of the Latin Quarter and their landlords, who, in com- uion with all commercial Paris, have raised their prices in consequence of the Exhibition, recalls the palmiest days of old Bohemia. The students oil strike have been put to shifts for lodging as it; range as that of the man Henri Murger tells of, who, on being asked where he was now living, named a very fashionable avenue, and quieted his friend's astonishment by adding, Third tree on the left-hand side."—Exami:ier~ We are delighted to hear that the authorities at Trafalgar square have just been enabled to acquire for the national collection several of the gems of the famous gallery formed by the late Mr. Fuller Maitland, of Stanstead Park. Fore- most among these acquisitions must be reckoned the small Botticelli exhibited at Burlington 1 House in 1871, wish the enigmatical Greek in- J .scriptiori at the top: this Nativity—a nativity, as our readers remember, with the addition of several unusual episodes—is one of the most imaginative, the best-preserved, and in all respects most delightful examples in the whole work of the master.—A^cademy. A YEAR'S WORK AT TIlE BKITISII 3IcSEDI.-H is almost impossible for those who merely visit the British Museum for the purpose of studying in the gigantic reading room, or to inspect the curi'ities collected in some one department, to grasp the unique and magnificent character of the Aluseum as a whole. The treasures of every ,-ort of literature, of art, and of natural history are really piodigious; but a glance at some parts of a single year's work ti.p., frcm March, 1877, to March, 1878) will make its special character more clearly visible. To take tor our first example the department of maps, charts, plans, and topo- graphical drawings. Here, to take only one por- I tion of the year's work, 230 atlasses and 2759 I maps have been obtained, and eight volumes and f)93 maps and drawings have been presented. But, as we have said, these are merely examples of innumerable new acquisitions. To turn next to the department of Oriental antiquities, v><~ need not dwell on the various arrange jnents of what the Museum already pos- sessed, but may go at once to some of the 2;i<) new acquisitions. Of these, among the most noticeable is the ivory torso of a small figure of Aphrodite from Thebes, and a terra eotta figure of Horus borne in a chair by two priests, the latter of the Homan period. Whet: we reach the department of Greek and Roman antiquities, it is difficult to choose examples. Passing on to the department of prints and draw- ings, we come upon a large number of objects which have been acquired during the past year. Indeed, no fewer than 10,374 acquisitions have been made, and the fact that of these 2411 examples have been presented, says a good deal for the generosity of individuals. -Builder.

SAD DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN. The Rev. Walter Trevelan Bullock, a retired clergyman and J.P., of Witham, Essex, on Mon- day took a quantity of poisonous lotion in mistake for medicine, and died before medical aid arrived.

THE LATE MAYOR OF NOTTINGHAM. At a special meeting of the Nottingham Town Council on Tuesday it was resolved, that the best way to pay respect to the late Mayor would be to continue the ceremonial in connection with the opening of the Nottingham Castle as a Museum ol Art on the 3rd July, it being the deceased'E Y, earnest desire that the opening should be signal ised by a Royal visit.

THE NEW EGYPTIAN FINANCE MINISTER. A private telegram from Cairo states that the post of Finance Minister has been offered to Mr. Rivers Wilson, and that his formal acceptanec will be announced in a fortnight.

I COMMITTAL FOR MURDER. The Berkeley magistrates on Tuesday committed f trial a Swedish sailor, named Haglind, for the wilf ti murder of Thos. Whitby, after a fight at Sbarpnes, Point, in Gloucestershire, on the 10th inst. The de ceased was found lying in the road fatally stabbed, am circumstantial evidence pointed to the prisoner as the culprit. He is a young man, and belonged to tin Divinco, a ship lying in Sharpness Docks. He and hi: companions carried their knives on shore on the night of the murder, and the magistrates urged the captain.- to make arrangements by which this should lit prevented.

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE SHIPPING I COMPANY. LAUNCH OF A NEW VESSEL. On Saturday, a new vessel for the Royal Exchange Shipping Company was launched from the Neptun; Iron Shipbuilding Yard (Messrs. Wigham, HichardsûL and Co. 's), Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Thevess) is 250ft. in length, 33ft. in width, 20ft. in depth, ISf;, Sin. deep in the hold; her gross tonnage is 1345, am. her nett register will be about 884 tons. She is a lour quarter-deck vessel, with an iron main-deck. She L:1 water ballast in both holds, and is fitted with moderr improvements, and the most approved steam gearing She is classed 100, Al, at Lloyd s, that being the hghest possible register. Shewillbeschoonernggeo and her engines, by Messrs. Shaw, Low Walker. will be direct acting, and of 150 nominal horse power. Her speed will be about nine knots an hour. She is built to the order of Messrs. J. Patton, Jun., and Co., of London, the managing owners for the Royal Exchange Shipping Company. The launch on Saturday was successfully effected, and the ceremony of christening the vessel "The Danish Monarch was gracefully and efficiently performed by Miss Ward, daughter of Mr. David Ward, the Master Cutler of Sheffield. There were also present Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Miss E. Ward, Sheffield: Mr. E. M. Bainbridge, J.P., Mr. J. G. Fenwick, J.P., Mr. Geo. Liainbridge, Mr. B. Plummer, Jun., Mr. J. G. Benson. ,e, i Mr. Jos. Temperley, Mr. D. L. Ferguson and Misse; Thompson, Newcastle; Mrs. C. J. D. Christie, Tvne- mouth; Mr. Henry Richardson, Barkworth; Mis^ Amy Robinson, Tynemouth; Capt. Dawn, &c.—After the launch, a large party sat down to dinner at t1 c Central Station Hotel, Newcastle, in celebration of the event. Mr. J. J. Vickers, one of the managing owners, "jcupied the chair, and Mr. W. Richardson, one of the rm of builders, the vice-chair.—After dinner the Chairman proposed the toast of "The Queen."—The Vice-chairman proposed "Success to 'The Danish Monarch and the health of the managing owners. .11'. Vickers responded.—The health of Miss Ward. the builders, and the ladies was afterwards drunk, ar.d the company then separated. —

The second general conference of bishops of various churches in communion with the Church of England is appointed to commence on the 2nd July next, and the sittings will continue for four weeks. MATRICIDE BY A BOY.—An extraordinary trial for matricide by a boy, only nine years of age, is at present going on at Volok, a Russian town in the government of Kharkow. A widow had formed a criminal connection with a functionary of the locality, who frequently visited her at unusual hours. The woman did not suspect the precocious intelligence of her son, and was one day surprised to hear him upbraid her for her conduct. She, however, only laughed at his reproaches, and t'Jd him to concern himself with matters more fitted for his age. He returned to the subiact more than once. but with no result; he then resolved to avenge this outrage on his father's memory, and arming himself with a hatchet killed her at one blow while she was asleep at night, and then buried the body in a grave he had previously dug. ALLEGED WIFE POISONING.—Arthur Collette, a. well-known shebeen-keeper in Edinburgh, formerly a barrister practising in the Isle of Man, was arrested on Monday on a charge of poisoning hip wife. The medical evidence as to the cause of Mrs. Collette's death is still far from complete. The prisoner himself first called in professional aid to his wife, and she was attended by two doctors, but she died on last Monday week. As there was nothing in the physical condition of the woman to explain the cause of the symptoms, among which were convulsions and violent thirst > and sickness, a po: t-mortem examination was, with the husband's ready concurrence, directed to he made by Dr. Croom, who, after having the made by Dr. Croom, who, after having the stomach in his possession for Mveral days, intij mated on Saturday that he had diacorered tk" presence of arseoic. A The whale brought recently to the Westminstei Aquarium died on Saturday. Colonel Wellesley has been given the Graad Cross of Commander of the Star of Roumania. Most of the Sovereigns of Europe have tele. graphed their sympathy to the widow of the King of Hanover. General Viscount Templetown, K.C.B., has accepted the office of Almoner to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in England. A German Government steamer, with divers, will shortly arrive at Folkestone to make a thorough examination of the wreck of the Grosser Kurfurst. It has been decided in a Scotch court that JE100 given to a minister by his congregation, in addi- tion to his regular stipend, was liable to be assessed under the income-tax. General Trepoff, the late Governor of St. Petersburg, who had proceeded to Wiesbaden to complete the cure of the wounds inflicted by Vera Sassulitch, has suffered a severe relapse, both legs being paralysed. Typhus fever is spreading in a very serious manner in Aberdeen. Indeed, it has almost assumed the form of an epidemic. There are at the present time no fewer than 20 persons under treatment in the Infirmary. It seems incredible, but it is nevertheless a fact, that the officials connected with the Literary Congress in Paris have forwarded invitations through the post to "Monsieur William Makepeace Thackerary and Monsieur Douglas Jerrold." The 104th anniversary of the birth of the poet Tannahill was celebrated on Gleniffer Braes on Saturday. Upwards of 30,000 persons were presnt, between 8000 and 9000 from Glasgow alone. Selec- tions of vocal and instrumental music were per- formed. The Right Hon. Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Biddulph writes, under date June 14, to Mr. Geo. Smith, of Coalville, to say that her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to accept the copy of Rob Rat," a story of canal life, by the Rev. Mark Guy Pearse. M. Salmon, a retired judge, at Auxerre, France, was stung by a wasp on the 3rd instant. His arm swelled rapidly, and the inflammation extended to the shoulder. A doctor, called in, reduced the swelling, but the venom poisoned his blood, and he died within two days. The Parkes Museum of Hygiene has been insti- tuted at University College, London, as a memo- rial to the late Dr. E. A. Parkes, F.R.S., Professor of Hygiene at the Army Medical School, Netley, and Emeritus Professor of Clinical Medi- cine at University College. The Queen of Denmark has received from the Empress of Russia the decoration of the Red Cross. The letter of the Empress warmly thanks all the Danish ladies who had contributed to the success of the bazaar which was held in Copen- hagen in aid of the wounded Russian soldiers. In the report of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums in Ireland, it is stated that the increase of cases last year, as compared with 1876, was 257, chiefly among females belonging to the lower classes of society. They find that after the fourth generation the predisposition to insanity declines. Another party of Mormons, numbering 227 per- sons, left Liverpool for New Yorkon Saturday, on their way to Salt Lake City. They were accom- panied by four returning elders. One hundred and ten of the number were from Berne and the others came from various parts of England, Wales, and Scotland. At the annual meeting of the English Church Union, on Tuesday, a motion was adopted declaring that the peace and well-being of the Church im- peratively demanded a frank recognition on the part of the State of her inherent right to interpret their own formularies in all matters touching the faith and the conduct of Divine worship. The ship Caroline, 984 tons, Captain Tnrnbull, sailed from Gravesend on the 14th instant, and had on board the following number of emigrants bound for Maryborough—namely, 37 married men, 37 married women, 143 single men. fil single women. 39 children between the ages of twelve and one, and nine infants-making a total of 326 souls, equal to 297J adults. An adjourned inquest has been held on the body of an infant child who was burned to death in the I Lancaster County Lunatic Asylum. The mother, who is insane, admitted that she had put the child on the fire. and another patient corroborated her story; but as no sane person witnessed the occur- rence. the jury came to the concl-nsion that there was no evidence to show by w Lom the act was committed. The Moscow correspondent of the Cologne Gaxette writes that an Imperial Commission is now sitting at Odessa to inquire into the frauds committed during the war by the Russian army commissariat. Many officials, it is stated, have carried on a competition against the army con- tractors, going in themselves for the contracts. Already 300 persons—among them forty staff officers-have been arrested. SriciDE IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.—An inquest was held at Bangor, on Saturday, on the body of Mr. John Pritchard, an innkeeper, of that town. who committed suicide by shooting himself through the head while travelling in a second- class carriage of the Irish mail from Chester. The only other occupant of the compartment was Vis- count Stopford's valet, who deposed to the very eccentric behaviour of the deceased before he shot himself in the tunnel just outside Bangor station. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity. The Canton correspondent of the Hong Kong Diily Press states that the committee appointed by the governor-general to ascertain the extent of the damage done by the late disastrous tornado at Canton has reported that the number of houses I completely destroyed was 2312, the number of those more or less injured 1081; the number of boats wrecked about 200: 25 houses were totally destroyed by fire. and others partially so. It was found impossible to ascertain the number of deaths, but an estimate of over 10,000 is given. MrcH CRY AND LITTLE WOOL.—Mr. Erie Drax, M.P. for Wareham. ousht to be satisfied. A local journalist writes of him John Samuel Hanley Sawbridge Erie Drax. Esq., of Olanteigh Towers, Kent, and Holness House, Sherbo>irne, M.P. for Wareham, and father of Miss Drax. owner of the neighbouring ancient, historic, and highly im- portant Grosvenor Erie Drax, Charborough Park property, and of the Hon. Mrs. Egerton, owner of the important Bere Regis and Wiltshire pro- perty, both being the daughters and co-heiresses of the late Mrs. Erie Drax, has just presented to the Corporation of the old borough of Wareham, through Mr. Freeland Filliter, their Recorder, a valuable excellent full-length oil-colour painting of himself." How TO CATen SPIRITUALISTS.—The latest story of the American Spiritualists is as follows:—A sceptical fellow obtained admission to a srancr the other day whereat Daniel Webster habitually materialised, walking from a cabinet across the room and looking as he had looked in life, hut making no sound of footstep. This base-minded man tossed a number of tacks on the floor, and as they had verv large heads, they of course fell point upwards. The consequence was that when Dan came out of the cabinet and began to walk across the room he suddenly paused, and lifting one foot applied his hand to the sole thereof. Upon taking another step he suddenly drew up again, and in a low voice ejaculated "Ugh!" Shortly after this he lost his balance and sat down on the floor, immediately became very profane, and retreated into the cabinet greatly disgusted with the matter. SERIOUS CARRIAGE ACCIDENT AT RICHMOND.ON Sunday evening, about nine o'clock, a can-in so accident of a somewhat alarming nature occurred at Richmond. Lieutenants Halifax and Sharpe, of the 19th Regiment (Princess of Wales' Own), and Lieut. Bentley, of the North York Militia-, were returning from a drive, and in coming round the turn in Rosemary lane, a very awkward place, the horse shied and overturned the dog cart, pitching the three gentlemen out on the road. Mr. Halifax's left leg was broken, and he was bruised about the body. Mr. Sharpe had his head injured and his back sprained, but Mr. Bentley escaped with a slight shaking and a bruise upon one of his legs. The horse galloped down the back ends at a headlong pace—a number ol ladies having a narrow escape at the crossing in the Back Flags. Down Young's Wynd it increased its speed, and ran with considerable force against Messrs. Hunton's offices. The trap was shattered all to pieces, and the horse was seriously injured. On Monday the young gentlemen were progrMainl favourtbly.

THE CAFFRE WAR. The following extract from a letter received by the last mail from Natal may interest our readers:— Our war is all the talk out here, as I suppose the Eastern question is with you at home. The natives continue to give the troops a great deal of trouble. It is worse than hunting wild beasts, which they so very much resemble, as you will see by the Zulu portrait which I enclose. They are in full dress, and as you see a pair of bathing drawers divided constituted the wardrobe of a man and his wife, and a yard of calico would supply a family. When they venture into the streets without sufficient clothing they are fined, but in the country both sexes run about in a state of nudity. Imagine yourself if you can running after these creatures through the bush in which they are brought up, and perhaps the bush in question may be from 20 to 40 miles through, and when the blacks get in there is no telling when they will get out again. A.s an instance of women's wit and devotion, even amongst these dirty and repulsive females, to save the partners of their joys, what will you say to this new phase of warfare, which occurred at Green River, near King Williamstown? There had been severe fighting, and several Englishmen, I regret to say, killed and wounded; but the Kaffirs eventually were forced to retreat, leaving their cattle behind them. They would have been followed, but the black ladies came between the pursuers and the pursued. It is needless to add that English gallantry gave way before i his instance of native pluck, and the women wore not fired upon. Of course, the blacks must eventually get the worst of it, but it will take time, and, I fear, much hardship will be under- gone by the troops and volunteers before the blacks finally give in. An American, who is not wanting in 'nerve,' advertises Zulu water' as an exquisite perfume for the ba/ h, toilet, and nur- sery.' The name may sound well enough, but if he were as well acquainted with the odorous pro- perties of the Zulus as I have been, when for four months with them up the country without seeing a white face, he would have chosen some other name, notwithstanding Juliet's remark about the rose. This is our winter, with the glass at ill de- grees, 3.20 p.m., so you may judge the summer 10 be unbearable, but I am going over the Dragans- burgh mountains, which are always covered with snow. Do not write till you hear from me again."

BURNING A CLERGYMAN'S EFFIGY. On Saturday night an uproarious scene was witnessed at Parton, near Whitehaven. On Sun- day week a disgraceful disturbance occurred in Moresby churchyard, the Rev. Baillie Wallace, rector of the parish, having refused t'8 bury a publican's child. During the week a notice was posted that the effigy of Mr. Wallace, M.A., would be paraded through the village of Parton on Saturday night and publicly burnt on the glen, the proceedings to commence at eight o'clock. A disturbance was appre- hended, and Superintendent Bird, an inspector, and a number of policemen, assembled at Parton. Shortly after eight the effigy, which was by no means a bad likeness of the rev. gentleman, was brought into the streets fixed to a pole. A col- lier carried it through the streets in front of a band of music. A largecrowd followed, yelling and cheer- ing. After marching to the high end of the street the procession returned. Superintendent Bird and the police now made their appearance, seized tine effigy, which was handed to Inspector Johnston and Constable Tower, who proceeded to rend it in pieces. They took the remains to an ashpit, where they were set on fire, the crowd cheering and shouting and the band playing.

THE GRAND PRIZE OF PARIS. IFROM THE "DAILY NEWS. The Grand Prize of Paris, which resulted in a hardly won victory for Prince Soltykoff's Thurio, has now been in existence for fifteen years; and though it will occasionally happen, as it did in Sunday's race, that from one circnmstance or another the best horses of the seasom are inca- pacitated from taking part in it, the Prize has, on the whole, fully answered the expectations of its founders. The contest has almost invariably assumed an international complexion, though it must be admitted that the English candidates have been very far removed from the first-class upon more than one occasion. This was notably the case in 1865, when the French colt Gladiateur had but a small and indifferent field of competitors to beat, the only English-born one of the lot being the Duke of Beaufort's Todleben, who finished last to Gladiateur's first. The Duke of Beaufort, however, was enabled to take an ample revenge the following season, for Ceylon, who is now the occupant of a box in the haras of the French Government at Tarbes, carried his colours in first, none of the French competitors being able to obtain either of the coveted "places." The honours are pretty evenly divided between the racing studs of the two countries; for, leaving out of the quest on the Hungarian colt Kisber, who was successful in the Grand Prize of Paris, as in the English Derby two years ago, seven vic- tories are credited to France and seven to Eng- land. The race for the Grand Prize in a former exhibition year (1867) was marked by a very un- usual circumstance, viz., a dead beat between two horses, the dead heat being followed by a second race in which one of the competitors was declared by the judge to have" won by a nose." The last gleam of sunshine in the racing career of the hapless Marquis of Hastings was when his colt, the Earl, after his inexplicable withdrawal from the Epsom Derby, won the Grand Prize of Paris in 18G8, while in the following season for- tune once more favoured the French, and M. Lupin's Glaneur was awarded the race. War and rebellion combined to prevent the prize of 1871 being competed for, while in the following season the showy colours of Mr. Savile were a second time successful, this time by the aid of the Derby winner, Cremorne. Another Derby wnuer, Doncaster, went down before his French contemporary, Boiard, in 1873, but the next year made amends to English prido, as Trent, only fourth at Epsom, had no difficulty in beating the French horses opposed to him. Salvator carried M. Lupin's colours success- fully in 1875, the winner of the Two Thou- sand Guineas and the second for the Epsom Derby being among the horses he defeated, and as Kisber, the winner in 187G, and St. Chris- tophe, who achieved an unexpected triumph a twelvemonth ago, were not of direct English origin, it may be said that the Grand Prize has not been brought across tke Channel since 1874. It is a race of such great value that the competi- 11 p tion for it ought always to be very exciting; but there can be no doubt that its significance is somewhat diminished by the previously ascer- tained results of the running for the races which, both ia England and France, are familiarly known as the Derby and the Oaks.

A portion of the late Dr. Doran's library was sold by Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge on the Oth and 7th of the month, and fetched £:?lO.. lur. W. Davenport Adams, author of the "Dic- tionary of English Literature," Ac., has prepared for Messrs. Routledge and Sons' Standard Library a book of" English Epigrams," ranging from the work of Heywood and of Harrington to that of living writers. Mr. Francis Fry has finished his Bibliographical Description of the Editions of the New Testa- ment, Tvndaie's Version iu English, with nume- rous readings, comparisons of texts, and histori- cal notices; the notes in full from the edition of November, 1534; an account of two octavo editions of the New Testament of the Bishops' version, without numbers to the verses. A copy ot the great Mentz Bible, printed by Gutenberg in 1435. being the first book ever printed, was sold by auction, at Paris, on the 1st IUSL., for the sum of £ 2000. It was printed on \ellum, but is not quite perfect, having one leaf several portions restored in fac-simile by M 1 llinski. At the celebrated Perkins' sale in 1873 a copy of the same work realised the enormous sum of £3-100. COMMEMORATION AT OxroH„The Vioe-Chancclloi has announced that, in a Convocation to be holden in the bheldoman Theatre, on the 26tb iust., it will be proposed to confer the degree of I).C!L., honoris causa, upon the Marquis "of Hartillgtoll, Lord Napier of Magdala, Sir Michael Hicks- Beach, M.P.; the Hon. Edward Pierrepont, late Attorney-General in the Government of the United States, and subsequently Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James': Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Mr. J. G. Talbot, M.P.; Mr. Wm. Spottiswoode, M.A., oi Balliol College, President Eic-t oi the British Associiitwn, and nomnis/tedl-resiu^eut of theRoyai Socicty; and Mr. H. Barton, Hostoiiographei Royal iox Scotland.

DEATH OF THE MAYOR OF NOTTINGHAM. At twenty minutes to three o'clock on Friday, June 14th, the Mayor of Nottingham (Aid. Ward) died from the effect of the injuries he received by the fall from his horse on the previous Thursday. His Worship was never conscious from the time of the accident to the death. The circumstance has cast a gloom over the town. The fall occurred at the foot of the rock on which is situated the Castle, which is to be opened in July next as a Fine Art Museum by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Additional gloom is given by the fact that his Worship was the founder of the Museum, was a staunch supporter of it pecuniarily, and was the principal means of bring- ing it to its present state of advancement. The Castle Museum Committee have since met, when it was de- cided not to abandon the opening ceremony, but to adjourn for a week in order to see if some better arrangement could be made.

DESTRUCTION OF PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL. A LOSS FOR THE ELDRED COMPANY. For the second time within fifteen years the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, has been the scene ef a fire. Four- teen years ago it sustained great damage, but the iron roof and walls remained standing. On the 13th instant, however, it was entirely destroyed, the reof falling in with a fearful crash abont one o'clock, crushing beneath it all that the fire had net consumed. For a long period it was doubtful whether the Assembly Rooms and Royal Hotel, which form part of the same noble block of buildings, could be saved, but the exertions of the town brigade and most 81 the naval and military officers with their regiments, under the commani of General Smyth, proved effectual. Although the flames shot up high into the air from the vast burning area, and dashed against the Assembly Room walls, the fire was at last confined to the theatre, where it burnt out. The building is insured, and the lessee, Mr. Newcombe, is insured for JE1500. Joseph Eldred's company, who had been performing, lose their properties. The fire was originated, ap- parently, under the stage, and was discovered ten minutes after the lessee had locked up the premises. By three o'clock all was over.

THE BATHING SEASON. The recent deplorable occurrences by which valuable lives have been sacrificed under conditions of sceming safety, should suffice to call attention to the perils i "backdraw" in shore waves, shifting beach sands, and currents. The bather is never safe, and. ought not, under any circumstances, to disregard the precau- tions necessary to prevent accident." Women and children should on no account bathe without ropes, and these should be so attached to the girdle that :t may be impossible to cast away the safeguard in a moment of too great confidence. It is precisely at such moments danger visits the weak and inexperienced, and even those who are strong and expert swimmers. One objection to the use of ropes in bathing might be obvi. ated if they were all waterproof, instead of becoming saturated with wet, and so heavy as to impede movement. Again the local authorities of seaside places should bestow more thought than they commonly extend on the choice of suitable positions for bathing machines. It is easy to ascertain whether shore-currents exist within a swimming distance of the spot licensed 101 use; and the location of machines m a perilous locality is, in fact, laying a trap for the unwary. This is a matter in respect to which licensing authorities must be held responsible. Moreover, something should be done to prevent the shifting of loose sand within a score of yards from the shore. It is commonly easy to protect a beach by the proper use of piles and boards, and these measures ought to be takefl to secure a firm footing where the public are invited to bathe and the lessees of bathing-machines are autho- lised,to ply for hire.—The Lancet.

FORGERY ON A FATHER AT GLOSSOP. A painful case came before the Glossop magistrates recently, in which a youth of respectable position in the borough, named Edward M'Millon, son of Mr. Councillor M'Millon, tailor, was charged with forging his father's name for £ 150. Mr. Hollinberry, manager of the Glossop Branch of the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company, stated that on the lltil inst. a little before three o'clock (at which hour the bank closes), prisoner presented to him a cheque for JE150. He asked for gold for it, but being suspicions all was not right, witness put on his hat and went down to prisoner's father, who lives not far from the bank. Prisoner followed him out, and asked him it there was anything wrong with the cheque, and on re- ceiving no reply, he exclaimed, "I am caught!" He saw Mr. M'Millon in prisoner's presence, and before witness showed the cheque, Mr. M'Millon said to his son, "What have you been doing?" to which prisoner answered, "I have been caught again." On witness producing the cheque Mr. M'Millon said it was not his, adding, I cannot put up with him any longer," at the same time sending for a policeman and giving him into custody.—Mr. M'Millon deposed that the signature to the cheque produced was not his. He did not authorise his son to sign it; indeed, he did not know he bad it. It had been taken out of his cheque book, which was locked up in a box, and had been abstracted without his knowledge or consent. The counterfoil was taken with the cheque, and there was a number missing; that produced was the number. The signature and the writing in the body of the cheque were both in the prisoner's handwriting. Sergt. Rowbottom said he apprehended the prisoner at his father's shop, and took him to the police-office. He there charged him with forging a cheque for £ 150 in his father's name, and he replied, I shall not make any auswer to the charge."—In reply to the magis- trates' clerk, the prisoner said he did not wish to say anything, and he was committed for trial at the assizes. He asked for bail, and it was fixed at him- self in £200, and two sureties of £ 100 each.

LOSS OF AN ENGLISH BARQUE. SEVEN OF THE CREW DROWNED. A telegram from Lloyd's agent at Calicut au- nounces the loss at Beypore of the English barque Joshua, 700 tons register. She belonged to Liver- pool, and left Middlesbro' last January. Seven of the crew lost their lives by the wreck. ======

SETTLEMENT OF MINERS' DISPUTE. The chief director of the Devon Great Consols Mine met a deputation of miners at Tavistock on Monday, and finally arranged that the men should commence work at a reduction of wages equal to about one-thirteenth.

RATTENING IN THE BRICK TRADE. A serious case of rattening has occurred on th< premises of Mr. Charles Curtis, brick maker, Hn.i. During nightime a wall of about 12,000 uuburnt brick was thrown down and destroyed, an engine and boile. thrown into a pond, portions of another engine broker off, a brick machine broken, and other damage done Suspicion attaches to some workmen who were recenth discharged from the works.

UNIVERSITY BICYCLE RACES. The University bicycle races took place on Tuesday on the Marston Running Grounds. The strangers race for four miles was won easily by H. S. Clarke, of tlu Cambridge University Bicycle Club, in 16 ruin. 48 sec. The four mile handicap was won by L. A. Wynne, oi Magdalene, with 400 yards start, in 12 min.. Crofton. of Worcester College, not competing owing to a e accident he met with last week. The fifteen mile ral" was won by W. R. Reynolds, of New College, in :1 min. 32 sees.

THE TEST AND CORPORATION ACTS. COMMEMORATION OF THEIR REPEAL. A public dinner took place on Tuesday at the Cannon street Hotel, London, under the auspices of the Committee of the Protestant Dissenting Deputies. to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. Lord Granville presided, and in proposing the toast of the evening— "The event we commemorate," said that the Test und Corporation Acts dated from the time of Charles the Second, from which epoch, down to the period of Walpole and Pitt, attempts had been made hy the Nonconformists to obtain their repeal, tit without success until 1828. Although their repeal had been strenuously opposed, en the ground that they were the bulwarks of the Church and the monarchy, every one present was now aware that no damage had been done to those institutions, and that the alarmist views which at one time prevailed had not been justified by the result. To procure the repeal d the Acts, the Nonconformists had made many sacrifices in the interests of peace, reform, and economy; and if he was not mistaken, more sacrifices would still be required on behalf of these prin- ciples. During the last two years the Nonconformists and he did not wish to pay them a mere idle compli- ment) had shown a thorough appreciation of the im. portant events which were transpiring in the East- nay, had evinced their detestation of the horrors of war, and bad done their best to promote a peaceful solution of a difficult question.—Mr. Morley, 31.P., vroposed The Protestant Dissenting Deputies; and Mr. Richard, M.P., in responding, said that as ex- perience had shown the repeal of the Test Acts had done no injury to the Church or the Throne, so would it be found that Disestablishment was free fr. >in any dangeruus result.

_„, 18 A TRAIN ROBBED BY MASKED JIEN. According to advices just received from Sal! ^*ke City, Utah, a bold and successful attempt has been made upon a railway train on the Unio. Pacific line. The train had only just left th Percy station about twelve o'clock on the night oi the 30th ult., when it was entered.by a band o. four men. They were all masked and armed and immediately set about dispossessing the pas sengers of any articles of value. A watch and 100 dollars were taken from one of the passengers, while a sum of 50 dollars was forced from a second The conductor of the sleeping car was also re lieved of his watch. The robbers threatened with Pistols any of the passengers who offered th slightest resistance. One of the passenger- received a scalp waund by being struck by one of the marauders with a pistol. Some persons at this juncture pulled the bell-cord, and the robber becoming frightened, jumped from the train and decamped, not, however, before they fired thro shots into the sleepers, which, fortunately, die not injure anybody. The whole affair did no Occupy more than three minutes. A party oi armed men afterwards went in pursuit. Are ward of 1000 dollars for the apprehension of each of the robbers was offered by the railway com- pany.

IRISHMEN AND THEIR LOYALTY. íFROM THE TIMES. "1 The deputation which addressed the Chief Secretary recently was able to furnish proof of the spirit with which large numbers of Irishmen in every rank have lately offered their services to the Government, not for. home defence merely, hut, if necessarv, for a foreign expedition. Thai Volunteering as it exists in this country would be success in Ireland we cannot doubt; it would Buit the tastes of the people, and would improve theirphysical condition, while it would strengthen their character with wholesome moral discipline. No race in the world is more easily debased by want of training than the Irish; none is so easily invigorated by wise and timely organisa- tion. Apart from the physical benefits of military drill, there are certain effects upon character 'which may be noted among English volunteers aod which would be peculiarly valuable in Ire land. The man who enters a volunter regiment I cannot, even if lie would, escape the influence 'Which is called esprit de corps. He is enlisted at once on the side of "order;" he may have been 1 inclined before to disorder, or even to sedition but when once he becomes a soldier, a citizen ) soldier, he feels that he has ranged himself on the opposite side to all disturbers of society, from the highest to the lowest. Those who are acquainted with the change that has taken place during the past twenty years in the habits and ways of think- ing of the classes from which the great majority of our volunteers are drawn will admit that the social effect of the movement has been excellent, while its political effect, whatever we mav think ef it, has been an unexpected development of Con- servative feeling in large sections of the lower middle class. There is quite as much human nature in Irishmen as in any other people, and we have no doubt that the indirect result of volun teering in Ireland would be to render sections of society which are now troublesome, and even dan- gerous, not only tranquil, but anti-revolutionarv. The men of thb Irish constabulary are drawn from the very social ranks among whom Nationalist dreams create most perilous illusions; yet during the crisis of Feniauism the constabulary faced a very great danger with unflinching courage, and -ever wavered for an instant ia their fidelity. The suspicion that the Irish Volunteers would be dis- loyal, and might, perhaps, use their weapons and their training to assail the Government in some time of trial, is due to the idle talk of professional Politicians, whose mission it is to prove that Ire- land is always seething with political passion. We Relieve, on the contrary, that there is very little political agitation in Ireland now, and, having removed every real cause for disaffection, it would be wise for us to assume that the natural results will follow, and that the Irish subjects of the Queen, no less than her English and Scotch subjects, are attached to the Government under which they live and thrive, and are willing to unite for its defence. I

The Pegasus, a six-gun composite sloop of war, was launched last week from Devonport dock- I yard. She was commenced about a year ago. Her frame is of iron. to The scholarship founded by the Prince of Wales j in connection with the Norfolk County School has I, been awarded to H. L. Brereton, son of Preben- dary Brereton, of Exeter Cathedral. The importation of hams increases. Numbers come from Canada. In the last five months the I value was £857,534. against £ 553,967 in the corre- sponding period of tke previous year. The finance committee of the Greenock Harbour Trilst have agreed to accept the tender of Mr. •oh* Waddell to construct the new wet dock at Marvel Park for the sum £ 242,885. 5s. 8d. 'Pneumonia is spreading in the Morpeth It is asserted by the farmers that all th» -n?868 can ke traced to cattle purchased at ewcastle Stones Fair in November last. the medt'alIh'Je+1diseugagillg the tail of Ms kite from Wav "R London and South-western Rail- of fho ^ttersea, a few days ago, was struck by one i utters of an engine and instantly killed. last11 Common there was a sham fight eom»ea' th.e °PPosing forces being under the Gei^fc- 0f Major-General Pakenham and anrl „ t i,lr Tilomas Steele. The troops were five an? a half hours under arms. at th^A6 cons'ffament of American cattle arrived the T* °flmouth Dock, Bristol, last week, in of ar)1VerP°°l Reamer Powhattan. The number Vovat(lm^S sh*PPed was 232, but 11 died on the i.e weather being rough. They are said very flne animals. at T na^n naMae<l Joseph Chippendale is in custody murfl 8 0n charge of being implicated in tlv> thf> <?er "^nn Hardcastle. Another man knocked era ePease^ down, and whilst she was on the v sttII»ned, the prisoner kicked her in a al manner. She died on Sunday. Birn?^a\* who has been chosen by the tho a?1 Ponservative Association to contest np-rt rou§ the Conservative interest at the dr-Pca ^U6r^ e^ection, has fixed July 23rd to ad- SPT-170 + -16 e ec^ors- It is the intention of the Con- had « lves rnn two candidates, but the second nas not yet been Belecte(L PTll.?ctu^? tlie Christchurch (New Zealand) Institute, Dr. Von Hast said that a thrc 1C klrchen midden, twenty miles long and colrm °r hundred yards wide, existed in the wit-i a.nt* s°me day he intends to explore it, an«^a-71,e^T to obtaining information as to the quitv of man in New Zealand. C.Arthur Daly, of the firm of Denis, Daly, and Liv' C°la brokers, has been sentenced by tho fn erP°°l Recorder to five years' penal servitude obtaining £ -4600 from the National Bank of RS7W?°o1 by fictitious securities. The Recorder the case was aggravated by the fact that the irauds were committed on two separate occasions, snowing deliberation and contemplation. At a mass meeting of workmen held on Glasgow ^een, on Saturday night, and attended by (foot) Persons, resolutions were passed denouncing as UllJust and uncalled for the present attempt made the North British Railway directors to extend '"he hours of their workmen from 51 to 54 per ^aek ia their engineering works; approving of &c_tion of the men now on strike, and recom- Bar^fi11^ forking men generally to give the neces- Some +aHCial snPPort t0 carr>' on the struggle. 8 r°Hg speeches were made. a verv-S*°,T BY ITS BROTHER.—An accident of June ilrt r character occurred on Friday, the son 'ln LlVerPool. Alittle bov namedBoyle, Stanley road Vf? ,a?n8 man' ^siding at f41' in a chest in his f^1?' *°™d a i°aded ie\ol?e* at his sister Ade £ r 8 \ouse- He PresenJed saying, <' 1 wall a ^'Ven years of age, moment discharged a shi00'™ a,1 +1G the left side of the ne?k .b?Let e"tcred taken to the Stanley Hospital S*1 the house surgeon, extracted'tl^Vn is very slight hope of the child's A GAMEKEEPER CONVICTED OF SnocJ^n v — Henry Wood, eameke*™ Knro ClirEI/n- charged before the Atherstone' mlSistr^ skinning a cat alive. A blacksmith fonn 1^7 aant skinning the cat. Defendant afSdele^ pocketed the skin and threw the ditch. Witness saw it struggling whil« w skinned. He and another man subseqnontlJ fool it to a Mrs. Morgan,.who swore the^t live* twenty annutes afterwards. It was urged in defence that vv ood shot the cat because he found it eating a /rabbit, and that it was dead before defence that Wood shot the cat because he found it eating a /rabbit, and that it was dead before being skinned. Defendant w.as fined 50s. 'and expenses (39s.,)

HEROIC CONDUCT OF A DERBY MANUFACTURER. Skegness, aLincolnshire seaside town, has just been the scene of a painfully-narrow escape from drowning. An excursionist named Fox, a widow, was bathing the other day with a female friend, when, from some unexplained cause, she got out of her depth and saniv twice before she was perceived by anyone except her friend and child. Their pitiful cries attracted the attention of Mr. Thomas Eley, a spar manufacturer, residing at Derby, who happened to be walking along the coast at the time, and, on turning round, the poor creature had disappeared a third time, and all that could be seen was one of her hltnds above water. Without a second's hesitation, Mr. EIt"y threw off his hat, dashed into the water with ins clothes on, swam to the unfortunate woman's assist- ance, and rescued her. At this time, however, she was insensible, but upon being conveyed to the bathing machine medical aid was summoned and the usual restoratives applied. After some time the poor creature recovered consciousness, and her expressions of gratitude at Mr. Eley's gallant conduct were beyond description-" thankfulness," as she remarked, "for the sake of her three dear children."

THE CONGRESS AND THE JEWS. The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, writing on Sunday, says:—" Some light was thrown upon one of the subjects to be dis- cussed at Berlin by Baron Henry de Worms at to- day's meeting of the Jewish Convalescent Home. He stated that the Congress would be asked to consider the condition of the Jews in the East, and he announced that the memorial of the Anglo- Jewish Association and the Board of Deputies was forwarded by special Queen's messenger to Berlin on Wednesday. The memorial pleaded not only for freedom for the Roumanian and Servian Jews, but also for the removal of all religious disabilities. Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury were both favourably inclined towards the Jews, and Prince Bismarck bad told some of the leading Hebrews in Berlin that no permanent arrangement of affairs in the east would be made without re- ligious freedom being a point in the settlement. That remark of Prince Bismarck's had special reference to Roumania. Baron de Worms re- ferred to the rejection of the proposed commercial treaty between Germany and Roumania because it established an invidious distinction in the principality between German Jews and other Germans as a fact showing that the present appeal would not be made in vain. He had, indeed, he said, the strongest hopes that the efforts now being made would be crowned with success. I may add that Baron de Rothschild has despatched a letter to Lord Beaconsfield describing the state of the Roumanian and Servian Jews."

THE LANCASHIRE STRIKES. VIRTUAL CLOSE OF THE STRUGGLE. The result of the shop meetings on Monday showed a clear majority in favour of resuming work at ten per cent. reduction. The spinners and card- room hands still stand out. Only a small number of operatives attended the shop meetings at Burnley, the hands in many cases being engaged clearing their looms, preparing to start at once. It is universally thought that the strike is over. The correspondent of the Press Association says:- The strike at Blackburn may now be considered at an end. At five o'clock on Monday afternoon the Executive Committee of the operatives, appointed to endeavour to close the contest, were introduced to a meeting of the Masters' Executive, held at the Old Bull Hotel, and reported the result of the shop meetings held in the morning—namely, that 50 meetings, sending 135 representatives to the delegate meeting, had decided to resume work; and 19 meetings sending 52 delegates, had voted against a return to work; several other meetings being adjourned. The Operatives' Committee asked the Masters' Executive to accept the result as a general adhesion to a return to work, and to throw open their mills without delay. The deputation having withdrawn, the Employers'Exe- cutive discussed the new situation, and in a short time called in the deputation, and pronounced to them the fol- lowing decision: — Resolved, tha.t the efforts of the new eperatives'committee having made it manifest that the operatives generally are desirous of returning to work upon terms necessitated by the state of trade, that is, the reduction in wages of 10 per cent., it is resolved that the mills be reopened forthwith for the admission of the workpeople." This resolution will be sent to each millowner throughout the district, I with a recommendation that the date of opening the mills be Wednesday, June 19th. Messrs. Birtwistle and Whalley have issued what may be termed the final manifesto in behalf of the operatives, and it has been read at all the shop meetin"-s in North-east Lancashire. They recapitu late the concessions offered to the employers, whu, they say, have evidently determined that justice sbal: succumb to wealth and power and influence. The manifesto proceeds:—"But for the unfortunate riots, the most memorable struggle in the history of the world between capital and labour would have ende in an honourable compromise. But in consequence o. the prejudice created by the riots, and the depres I sion m all branches of industry, with the funds of the society reduced as low as is safe, in consideration of the liabilities for funerals, your com- mittee find it impossible to procure funds for the maintenance of seventy thousand weavers, which, at Is. cach, would require £ 3,500 per week. Your com- mittee, therefore, advise you to resume work as one man. Your stoppage has enforced your own doctrine of lessening the production and if this stoppage had not taken place, many of your employers would already have been in the Bankruptcy Court." The manifesto conclades: li Remember, your employers have been taught such a lesson that they will not again ignore your just claims, for as sure as the rivers run to the sea, as certain as light follows darkness, so sure will the just claims of labour meet with success, and its fair treatment be- come known as the best interest of every employer."

DEATH OF MR. BOLCKOW, M.P. Mr. Bolckow, the chief founder of the great iron industry of Middlesbro', and who was the first Mayor of the town, died on Tuesday at Ramsgate. Mr. Bolckow was a. German by birth. Thirty- six years ago he started in the iron trade, and was, at his death, the chairman of the colossal iron and coal company of Bolckow, \aughan, and Co., Limited. Mr. Bolckow gave a public park to the town, which he represented in the Liberal interest, costing about £30.000. He was in his 72nd year.

ALARMING SCENE AT A CONCERT. On Tuesday, a concert was given by 1000 children t the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. The spacious plat form thus crowded partly gave way, and about 800 e, them came down. some of them a couple of feet, other, more. The children, panic stricken, shrieked, and scene of intense excitement ensued. Fortunately, tin drop was not sufficient to cause fatal injuries, the worst cases being attended to at the Infirmary. Aftei some little delay the concert proceeded.