Monmouthshire Merlin

Oil'l^LNU UF i LiJ.\i Gi:.RMAN PARLIAMENT. P.F.r.tix, Sept. —The ('-eriiian Parliament was opened at two o'clock this »fternoon. The Speech from the Tin one eoinmeucs-d by referring to the attempts macle upon the Fmperor's 1 ito, and ele- elaring that his Majesty was obliged to abstain from taking part in State business until his com- plete recovery, and had therefore transferred the a Imini-tration of the Government to the CrOWL) Prince. Immediately after the lirst attempt 1; on his Majesty's life the Federal Co- vernment became convinced that the crimc was due to the inureuce of sentiment p oluced and propagated far and wide by an agitation which anltd at undermining the existing laws of the Stale and of society. Men- tion was then made of the rejection by the German Parliament of the first Anti-Sodali-i Bill proposed v.ith the object of arresting ruaehi- n:11iOL:S which imperrilied the common inteie t- of tue country. Tre Spcech proceeded as fellow* — The Federal Governments are of opinion now as in clie past, that extraordinary measures are lejuilel to prevent a further extcns-on of the already wide spread e\ ii, and pave the way f. r its gradual extinct on. They adhere to the o union that the means chosen should preserve t'.tt- liberf of tee citizens of the State in general, and oidv prevent abuse of them, by which the pernicious ojialist agitation threatens the foundations and the life of the State. audi all culture. The speech expresses the confident hope that the nowly-olected deputies will not refuse to grant the means of giving the r>e-a- eful development of the empire the same s>. curitv a.nainst attacks tiom within as it alrcad} enjovs agaiiift tbo.-e from without, in order that when the extension of the pernicious moven e it has bean checked among the masses, those who have been led astray may bo brought into the right path. The ceremony of reading the speech being completed, the first if. ii.g oi the Parliament was afterwards or>cnod by iierr Loniii, who was const.tuted prcs d: ..t by rigut of seniority, a; Loaic formal business was then proeeeeied with.

HEAVY CLAIM "AGAINST THZ OWXERS OF THE BY WELL CASTLE. The J.ondon Steamboat Company have made a claim of :.go,0g0 against Jle: srs. Hail, of New- castle, the owners of the By we 11 Castle, as com- pensation for the loss of the Princess Aiice and on behalf of the sufferers. The Princess Alice is set down at £ 5000-

SLTPOSKD DISCOVERY ( FLORD LEITllIM'S MCRDERER. A deserter, biandtel •' B. C. has teen arrested at Kilrush on a charge of obtaining money under false pretences, and on being s-.earclieel papers of a most compromising character were found on him'. It is stated that he will now he charged with the mtrrelei .,f Lore! Leitrim. Great exci.emeiit pre- vails in the district. I

THE FOREIGN SUGAR BOUNTIES. A meeting, was held at Bristol, ou Monday, con- vened by those interested in the sugar re'.ining business. The Mayor of Bristol presided. Dele- gates Were present from. Greenock, Glasgow. London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh. Resolutions were passeel condemning the foreign bounty system as opposed to free trade principles, anel dc.I .mental to English manufacturers.

THE PRINCE OF~WAEES'~VISIT TO I YORKSHIRE. On Monday afternoon, the Prine of Wales arrived at Braniingham Thorpe, near Hull, on a visit to Mr. C. Svkes, M.P. His Royal Hig'nmss left L( nlon by the ordinary Scotch express, w d -h reached Doncaster eleven minutes after time. There he took a special train, which tra- velling via Goole, arrived at Brough station -it 7.) p.m. The train was under the care oE Mr. IX'.vis, the district superintendent of the North Eastern Railway. At each station tiiong the line of route, notwithstanding the speed was not slackened, a number of persons had assembled to give the Prince a passing welcome. At Brough the preparations were on a scale suitable to the character of the visit, a private one. The pretty little station had been rendered more pretty by Mr. -Limes, the station-master, by the tasteful distribution of choice plants, and it was carpeted with crimson cloth. The police on duty were under the charge ot Supt. Campbell of the North Eastern Company and Supt. Ellerker of the East Rieling Constabu- lary. A guard of honour was furnished by the Howden and Market Weightou Corps, being under the command of Cant. Storry, of Howden. The hand of the Last York-hire Militia was also present. Altogether, as the train drew up, the scene was a striking one. His Royal Highness, who courteously acknowledged the warm greet- ing, was met by Mr. SykeH, M.P. Amongst the arrivals by the train was the Marquis of Ilarting- t'jn, M.P. Hardly a minute elapsed before the Royal guest started for Brautingham.

The love-letters of the German patriot Ernst Moritz Armlt have just been issued. The Brightoll Corporation will, it is announced, cake no action on the gambling club questian, there being a legal conflict of opinion as to how the Corporation or its officers would be justified in interfering with the alleged practices, except oa better evidence than has yet been forthcoming. The Rev. W. T. Adey, who has accepted the in- vitation of the Baptist Church worshipping at Albemarle Chapel, Scarborough, on the 5th inst. resigned the charge of the Burley Road. Baptist Chapel, Leeds, which he has held for the last nine years. He will commence his labours In Scarborough on the first Sunday in October. Alarm has beea created ia France by the arpearance of typhoid fever in several of tile barracKs throughout the country. In the Hospital of Ch iloDB several men have died, and the disease shows no symptom of abating. Some time ago an epidemic was threatened in several of the soldiers' barracks, notably in one situated next to a large h(lt, frequented by English tourists. The number of cases in the city shows that the metropo.i; is not seriously affected.

NEWS FROM CYPRUS. '•JAP.NWCA, Sept. 8.—An Ottoman frigate has arrived here to take off Turkish guns and ammunition still remaining in the island, and Sir Garnet Wolseley has returned to Lamaca and to-morrow will go on board H.M.*s ship Rnleigh to make a tour of the islaud. Colonel Warren has been appointed to discharge the functions of civil governor. The troops con- tinue to suffer from fever. The following telegram has been received at the War Office, from Surgeon-General Sir A. Home. Cyprus, dated Larnaca, Stventy-first Regiment in Dali Valley have had sudden increase of remittent fever. Thirty-eight admissions in two days. Eighty-seven now in hospital at Dali. One death yesteretay. making thirteen since land- ing. lulst Regiment, Larnaca, also shows large increase. Royal Engineers very sickly. Twenty- live per cent, ot strength sick for the whole force men). Three hundred and seven in hospital. Have been ill myself: now recovered."

DEATH OF DR. NOBILING. I JJERT.IV, Sept. 10.—Dr. Nobiling, the man who I attempted to assassinate the Emperor William, died at a quarter to three this afternoon, from the wounds indicted by himself. The immediate cause of death was paralysis of the lungs.

NEWS FROM JAPAN. YOKOHAMA, August 1); (ri,< San Frnncisno).— Vice-Admiral Taheaki Enomc'.o. hitheito Japa- nese Minister at the Couri of St. Petersburg, is LOW on his. re: am from that city to take office in Japan. The Tosa troubles ha\e been settled. There lias been some rioting at Takashima among the colliers on the question of wages, but the disturbances were not of a serious kind. The proceeds of the internal lean are being expended on i ailways, mines. and harbour*, including a new wharf for ti, isi It is considered probable that a new foreign gold Joan will be issued. The draft of a new law tor the regulation and contiol of the opium trade has been published, according to which opium may only be bought front and sold by licensed drug- gists. A system of detailed half-yearly re- ports by the native Chamber of Commerce has been instituted at Takis. Some damage has been elone by tiooels and locusts. The crop prospects, however, are generally fair. Foreign imports are ilul), but there is a fair business doing m tea and silk.. The P, for foreign exchange are low. and still falling. Government paper is at a eliscouut of 8 per cent.

EARTHQUAKE IN SIBERIA. The N Vrmmjn has received a letter from Omsk announcing an earthquake in Siberia on the loth uit. The shock extended across the river Irtish in the direction of Tnkalm, and, besides raising the banks to the height of several feet, caused two islands to appear on the river. The Governcr-Ceneral of Siberia lias despatched a commission to examine the effects of the earth- quake.

PRINCE BISMARCK Axu THE SOCIALISTS. ,I-r.():.I TEE TDíES, 'j The Speech from the Throne at the opening of the German Parliament on Monday presented in a distinct and uncompromising form the policy of the Imperial Government. The Imperial Govern- ment, as we know, is Prince Bismarck, and the policy of the Emperor's Speech embodies the wishes of the all-powerful Chancellor. Legisla- tion against the Socialists forms the sum and sub- stance of the message which the Government has communicated to the Reichstag, and1 here is no sign of yielding in its language. Prince Bismarck will not abate a jot or tittle of the concessions which lie demands from the Liberals. The speech recites a history of the recent outbreak of Socialist frenzy in Germany, ending in the ferocious and too suc- cessful attack upon the Emperor himself. Owing to the crime of Nobiling, the nation is reminded, the Emperor himself is unable to take the part he desires in public business, and the adminis- tration of the Government has, therefore, been transferred, to the Crown Prince. Thus the guilt imputed to the Socialists is thrust into the forefront of Prince Bismarck's policy. From this vantage-ground the demand is renewed for the extraordinary powers which the last Reich- stag vefuted to grant. Prince Bismarck counts, not unreasonably, upon the strength of loval feeling in Ccrmany, and upon the renewed indig- nation of the people when they hear in a solemn and formal way that their aged Sovereign has been brought near to death by the weapon of a fanatic, and that he has been compelled to dele- gate his authority to his heir. These things, it is true, the Germans had known even while the issue of the elections was undecided, and yet they refused to send a majority to the Reichs- tag in favour of Prince Bismarck's schemes of repression. But if the conversion of tlm Parliamentary opposition by an appeal to the sentiment of loyalty is not to be hopcel for, the forces of resistance may be checked and broken by an awakening of sympathetic anger among the mass of the nation. Starting from the assumpt Ion that indignation will be thus rel¡jnc11ed, tec speech from the throne proceeds to justify a new attempt to legislate against Socialism. The Federal Government became convinced, we are assured, that the crime of H'.del, which preceded the more elaring and successful attack of biling, was due to the influence of sentiments produced and propagated far aud wide by an agitation which aimed at undermining the ex- isting laws of the Stale and of society." On this conviction the Anti-Socialist Bill rejected by the Liberal majority in the Rei- h- stag was founded; it was proposed "with the object of arresting the machinations which imperilled the common interests of the cotinti- The temporary success of theopro-i- tion has not altered the determination of tie Federal Government, which is "of opinion now, aó in the past, that extraordinary measures are required to prevent a further extension of t.rn alreaely widespread evil, aud to prepare the way for its gradual extinction." Thus the Reichst-ig is requested to give effect to coercive legislation is requested to give effect to coercive legislation substantially the same as that from which it ie- coiled a couple of months ago, and this although the electors have declined to return a majority to support Prince Bismarck's police.

EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYED. "FROM THE "DAILY KEW.j The practical question for the employed peoms to us to be, not whether the employers can be persuaded to try the remedies the employed think best, but wl; ether the reductions attempted 10 he thrust upon them are likely to be at all of a per- manent sort, and, if so, what action thu;. ■ •En take in consequence. We confess our own :'ear is that the reductions are not unlikely to be lasting, and that this is one of the reasons for the severity of the dispute. The great increase of capital ami labour in the trade in recent years, not merely :n Lancashire, but throughout the world, makes ir very probable at least that competition has la*( 1,- been excessive; that more hands have come into the trade than there is raw cotton for then, to work up at full time; and that there is no su cient market even for what is manufactured. The effect of such a past excess must be to lower the profits and wages of all concerned until population 7 'I- and consumption grow up to the mark which pro- duction has reached, which may take a -u>g time. The cotton manufacture has net for loijn been so fluctuating as the iron trade; but it cannot be altogether Eee from fluctua- tions, and the present seems one of the ex- tremes. The workmen in the trade should therefore see whether they cannot improve their position by providing other employment for some 01 their number, and so meeting the attempt to beat down wages. A descent in the scale of living is not desirable tor any class of men, and hi. cotton operatives are threatened with such a descent they must prepare in time against it. e doubt, however, if they are yet so threatened, the fall in wages having at least been preceeleu ny a remarkable fall in prices, not only as compared with years like 1872 and 1873 but, we believe, as compare I with years like 1868 and 18n9. If there has been such a fall of prices, or if there should be any farther fall, a fall in wages should be much more readily assented to than in any other cir- cumstances.

At a mass meeting of nail makers at Lower Gonial, on Tuesday, it was resolved to resist the masters' offers, and continue the strike. The Shakers at Hordle are still living by the roadside without shelter. A Mr. Batho sent to fetch bis wife from the Shaker community on Monday, but Mrs. Girling would not consent to h £ r coing, and Mrs. Batho remained.

ANOTHER COLLISION ON THE THAMES. EXCITING SCENE. On the Thames, near London Bridge, on Satur- day morning, the Steam Navigation Company's boat Hoboken. bound for Margate, ran into a barge. A Woolwich passenger steamer, following close, attempted to pass, but also ran into the barge, carrying away several feet of her bulwarks and damaging the paddle-box. The utmost con- sternation prevailed on board, passengers fearing a like fate to those of the Princess Alice, and it was not until the boat came alongside the pier that the excitement was allayed. Six men were injured by jumping into the barge. The Wool- wich boat, the Ariel, has been docked, severely damaged.

A BARROW SCHOONER RUN DOWN. LOSS OF THREE LIVES. Information has reached Barrow of the total loss of the schooner Charlotte Eilen, owned bv Messrs. J., viid Sons, of Barrow. She was bound from Seville to Carrickfergus with 220 tons of sulphur ore, and collided with the screw steamer Rambler, of Glasgow, bound from Swan- sea to Naples, at half-past eleven, on the night of the 22nd of August, south of Cape Finesterro. The schooner disappeared soon after the collision, but the steamer's boat was launched, and suc- ceeded in rescuing two men. The steamer re- mained about till daylight, but nothing could he seen of the ether members of the crew or of the vessel. The names of the two survivors are not known, but Capt. Dickenson, of Lancaster, who was in charge of the schooner, as well as the mate and ccok, are said to be drowned. The suivivcrs I were landed at Naples on the HUth uIt.

GREAT FIRE AT HUDDERSFIELD. A fire occurred at the mill of James Wells and Co., cotton spinners, Paddock, Hudderslield, ou Saturday. The damage is estimated at £ 12,t;Ud- A hundreel bands are thrown idle.

SHOCKING SUICIDE OF A MAGISTRATE. Captain Johnson, alderman and magistrate of Waterford, committed suicide in Led on the 0th inst., by tying a silk handkerchief round his throat, fastening it to the beelsteael, and pushing himself down in bed until he was strangled. i ¡

RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN IRELAND. I On Saturday a railway accident occurred at Dalkey, on the Dublin and Wicklow line, which resulted in the destruction of some rolling stock and causeel stoppage of traffic, but had no mere c-erious consequences. A mineral and a ballast- train came into collision and the guard's van in front of the latter was entirely shattered, whilst the engine of the mineral train was crushed. The engine driver and stoker escaped uninjured.

RUSSIA AND THE SUEZ CANAL. The Globe says:—We are informed that the Hns- sian man-of-war Gaidamak, now attached to the squadron of Admiral Puzino in Japanese waters, has received orders to return to the Baltic via the Suez Canal. This, we believe, will be the lirst instance of Russia availing herself of the passage through Egypt to the Mediterranean.

TWELVE RUSSIAN SEAMEN DROWNED. Intelligence has been received atCronstadt from Vladivostock of the loss of a boat's crew of the Russian man-of-war Ermak off the coast of Japan. The Ermak had been sent from Vladivostok to Maitsmai, on the Island of Jesso, to pick up the I crew of the man-of-war Alert, wrecked there last winter, audit was while one of her boats was con- I veying the shipwrecked men on board that it was struck by a squall and capsizeel. Twelve men were lost. were lost.

ACCIDENT TO GENERAL CIALDINI. II General Cialdini. the Italian Ambassador, lias met with an accident in Paris. As he was re- turning from a drive, a few days ago, his horses ran away, and his carriage was upaet close I to the Palace of the Elysee. The carriage was a closed one. The General was severely cut about the face by pieces of broken glass. He was taken I to the Palace and immediately attended to, and. though severely bruised, was taken back to his resielence, In the course of the night a report of his eleatk was current. Although a good deal shaken, the General is not in any danger, and will be all right again after a few days' rest.

EXCITING SCENE IN GLASGOW. A WOMAN KILLED. On Saturday evening, a carpet weaver, named I James Martin, residing in George street, Mile end, was apprehendeel by the Glasgow police on the charge of killing a woman. Martin, who is a ser- geant in a local volunteer corps, went home drunk and had a quarrel with his wife, whom he at- tempted to choke. The woman, along with her child, escaped, but a crowd collecled. Martin loaded his gun and fired at the crowd. A woman named Catherine Durnan, 18 years of age, was shot dead. The man again fired, but did not in- jure any one. Martin then went to his house, where he was apprehended by the police, with a I knife in his hand. The greatest excitement pre- vailed in the district during the evening.

NARROW ESCAPE OF A LADY AND SEVEN CHILDREN. Shorily before six o'clock on Sunday morning afire occarrcd at the residence of Mr. John Carr, colliery agent, Dronfield. The house, which is situated on the Sheffield and Chesterfield turnpike road is a stone- two-storey building; the first floor consisting of draw- ing room, sitting room, kitchen, and larder: and the upper storey containing three bed rooms, a bath room, and a small room at the top of the stairs used by Mr. Carr as an office. Hero the fire is supposed ta have originated, although no one had been in the room since the previous after- noon, Mr. Carr having left home on Saturday on a I! visit to the Isle of Man. When the family retired to rest on Saturday night all appeared to be safe and nothing was known of the fire until six o'clock the fol- lowing morning, although it is new supposed to have been smouldering in the oitice since the previous day. been smouldering in the oitice since the previous day. Shortly before its discovery Mrs. Carr had been attend- ing to one of the children sleeping in her room, and had again retired without being aware of the fire. Soon afterwards, however, she was alarmed by hearing a heavy crash on the staircase, aud on opening her room door to ascertain the cause, became enveloped in smoke and dust. She then found that the house was in fiames, the noise she had heard having arisen from the fulling of the wall of the office, which had I given the names possession of the staircase and com- pletely blocked it up. Snatching up an infant in her ,I,' arms she at once awoke the rest of the fan-ily and assembled them at one of the windows, where their cries fer help attracted the attention of a man as he was on his way to the steel works. He aroused some of the neighbours, and a number of men employed at Messrs. Lucas and Son's foundry, many of whom live in the immediate vicinity, hastened to reneler assistance. Several of the men ran to the works to fetch a ladder; but in their absence a young man named Gore, seeing the critical position of the inmates of the house, procured a plank, reared it against the wall, and by that means climbed up to the window, and succeeded in rescuing Sirs. Carr and her infant. By that time a ladder had been obtained, and the whole of the i'aniuv I were speedily delivered from their -perilous position. The fire spread with great rapidity, and must soon have enveloped the inmates but for the presence oi mind and prompt exertions of their rescuers. As it was, there was no time for them to secure their cloth- ing. and they had to effect their escape with such covering as happened to be within reach. M. auwhile a volume of flame had taken passession of a hack bed room. occupied by the servant, on the opposite side of tnc landing to the office, completely preventing any chance of escape by the door, and the girl was com- pelled to jump out of the window amongst the crowd. The fire had now gained complete possession of the whole of the bed room fur- niture, and all attempts to extinguish the llames were futile. Soon after the inmates had escaped, the ceiling of the room in which they had been standing fell in, quickly followed by the roof of the building. From the moment the alarm of fire was raised there was no want of willing helpers, of whose efforts nothing can be said in too high praise. While num- bers of men were engaged in throwing water upon the oumiug mass, others, under the direction of Supt. Kirkland and his men rendered valuable service in removing the furniture from the rooms on the lower storey, nearly all of which they succeeded in saving. About eight o'clock a fire engine arrived from Shot- field, under the direction of Superintendent Pound, but by that time the place was completely gutted, and nothing remained for them to do but extingmab the smouldering embers.

The Seturday hospital collections were made ia I London on Saturday. Collecting boxes wer placed at &U Doinis-cf vantage. -=-

KNTiiY OF THE AUSTRIAN TROOPS INTO TREBINJE. RAOUSA, Sept. 8. — The Austrian troops entered Trpbinje at noon yesterday without opposition. The Turkish troops surrendered the citadel to the Austrians, and left the town the same evening.

ENTRY OF THE RUSSIANS INTO RATUM. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 7 (7 Tlic. Russians entered Bafcum yesterday, without encountering any opposition, the authorities of the town giving up the place into their hanels. Dervish Pasha disembarks to-day to malco arrangements for conveying back to Turkcv the few battalions still remaining there. The emigration of the Lazes continues. ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 8.—The Grand Duke Michael Nicholaovitch has sent the following telegram to the Emperor of Russia, dated the 8.20 p.m.—I have the happiness to congratulate your Majestv upon the occupa- tion of I have just received the following telegram from Adjutant- General Mirsky:—4 This morning, at eleven o'clock, the Russian troops entered Ratum. The Russian flag -was subsequently hoisted in the port and the Russian authorities took possession ot the administration. Dervish Pasha received me at the head ot a deputation of the inhabitants and the Christian and Mus- sulman clergy. The Turkish civil authorities had alre;dv left Latum before the arrival of our troops. There are still about fifteen thousand Turkish imautry in the town, but Dervish Pasha is making arrangements for expediting their departure. Major-General Marid has been appointed provisional governor of Batum. Com- plete tranquility prevails in the district.' -=-

NEWS FROM THE CAPE. C.>.rr: Tovx, Aug. 30 (by telegraph from Madeira).—Major Lanyon has returned to Kimberley. The chief Mankaroane has been sentenced to pay an indemnity to the family of the late Mr. Francis Thompson. The 8 th Regiment has left Natal for the Transvaal. The admiral's flagship is surveying St. Lucia Bay, hiatal, to select a suitable landing-place for troops in ti.e event of the despatch of a British force to Natal being rendered necessary by a rising of the Zulus. Mr. Gordon Sprigg, the Premier, in a speech at Grahamstown last night, declared that the confeueration of the South African colonies would be the test question at the next general election for the Cape Parliament.

THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC. NEW OHLEANS, Sept. 7.—The yioLnce of the fever has in no way abated. The Government re- turns show 4601) cases and 1395 deaths in New Orleans, from the commencement of the outbreak to noon on Friday last. All the United States troops stationed near infected localities have beeu witheirawn to safer places. Niiw ONNEAX.S, Sept. 8.-There were 232 new cases and 77 deaths in this city from yellow fever yesterday. At Memphis yesterday there were 12H new cases and 9"> deaths. The epidemic there is increasing alarmingly, and the situation is Le- coming desperate. A committee of safety will I y probably be formed to take charge of the city, and to compel the people by force, if necessary, to leave the place for their own preservation. At Vicksburg yesterday there were 200 fresh cases and 3'; deaths. Munificent private donations for the relief of the distress caused by the epidemic are now being made throughout the United States, and the Government is also aiding to alleviate the preva'ent suffering. A thousand negroes are HOW being supported at New Orleans on free rations.

A GREAT STORM IN DENMARK. I The Danish papers are full of reports from the p: ovinces of the damage done by a terrific thunder- storm which passed over nearly the whole islanel of Zealand on the night of the HOtli of August. In scores of places persons and horses have been struck by the lightning, houses and barns burned el own, and immense damage done to the corn in the fields. The loss on oats alone is calculated au several millions of crowns.

DANISH CATTLE FOR ENGLAND. By an Oreler in Council, dated the 2Sth of last month, the Danish Government has issuc-d a prohibition ot the shipment of any Danish cattle to England on board any ship which either already has cattle onboard from any other country or which intends to call at any foreign port to em- bark cattle. All cattle shipped have previously to be passed by the olflcial veterinary surgeons; and the captain of any ship carrying Danish cattle has to sign a declaration either that he proceeds direct to an English port, or a written promise that he will not at any port where he may call on the voyage embark any cattle. Heavy fines and the possible loss of his certificate will be the conse- I quence of any infraction of this Order in Council.

THE HARVEST IN FRANCE. The Paris correspondent of the Agricultural IVorl l, in speaking of the French harvest, says:- On the whole, the bright prospects that we hr d a fortnight ago have been considerably clouded, and now the grain harvest has been reckoned at not less than 25 per cent. under the average; but I think—or at least I hope—that this is taking a too gloomy view of affairs. Rye is of mediocre and deficient in quantity, and barley is far from being so abundant as we rot long since reckoned on. The provincial grain markets gene- are rather poorly supplied. The following is an estimate of the yield according to the latest- details which reach me from the whole o: France. The wheat harvest is very good in two departments, good in twelve, pretty good in 21, mediocre in 11, and bad in eight. Oats are pretty good in 2'j departments, good in 38, pretty good in ten, and mediocre in seven. Maize is very good in three departments, good in 2J, pretty good in ten, mediocre in four, and bad in two. The other departments do not cultivate maize, or to too small an extent to enter into the calculations. Rye is good in 21 departments, pretty good in 17, mediocre in ;;0, and bad in three. The same re- mark made as to maize applies to rye. Barley is very good in six departments, good in 41, pretty good in twelve, mediocre in nine, and bad in one.

BENEFICES RESIGNATION ACT. A return, procured by Mr. Majendie, M.P., shows that 230 livings have been resignetl under the provisions of the Benefices Resignation Act, which has been in operation seven years. In the Canterbury diocese there have been eight; in lork, 20; in London, eight; in Durham, five: in Winchester, seven; in Bangor, two; in Bath and We lis, five; in Carlisle, seven; in Chester, 12; in Chichester, six; in Ely, nine; in Exeter, nine; in Gloucester and Bristol, five; in Hereford, three; in Lichfield, 11; in Lincoln, 13; in Llandaff. one; in Manchester,, six; in Norwich, 17; in Oxford, 12; in Peterborough, 13; in Ripon, eight; in Rochester, 14; in Salisbury, four; in St. Asapli, four; in St. David's, seven; and in Worcester, 14. In the cases of Hale Magna, Syderstone, and Stock Harward, the Commissioners reported against any resigna- tion. Tho sums granted to the retiring incum- bents vary considerably; but we give two dioceses examples: Carlisle: Wasdale Head (vicar's age 77), £05-£28; Waberthwaite, £ 130- £ -13; Brampton (G4), £ 520- £ 150; Killington (69), £ 106- £ 35 Long- marton (78), £ 9- £ 280 (.vie.); Edenhall (67), £ 226- £ 50; Ousby (58), £311-£100. Ely: Stanning- field, £ 353- £ 115; Hopton, £ 293- £ 25; Over, £ 202- £ G0; Biggleswade, £ 424- £ 130; Farndish. £ 195- £ 60; Little Wilbraham, £ 390- £ 130; Lolworth, £10\1-.£6G; WytQU, £ 557- £ 180; Chatteris, £ 1621- £ 150.

Tnmhlc over and die on the spot:'—BILL'S MAGIC VERMIN KILL pi; is certain death to Rats, Mice, A ins, Beetles, Cockroaches, and all kinds of Vermin. Rc:.d the following extracts from testimonials. No. 1 writes- I have a large store room whieh was infested with mic I tried your Magic Vermin Killer, the result of which proved astounding; the next morning I picked up 66 dead mice, and the number of dead mice collected fit the end of a. fortnight amounted to a. total of 253." No. 2 writcs-" The Vermin Killer you sent me I used for mice, and it has completely cleared the house; I also used it for sugar ants with equal success. It surpasses all other poifons for these pests." No. 3 writes-" I have completely ridden my own premises from rats and mice, and willingly bear testimony to the wonderfnl effi- cacy of your Vermin Killer." Sold by all chemist3 and medicine vendors. Wholesale agents, Barolay & Sons, Farricgdon-st., and Sanger & Sons, 150, iOxford-st., London. Price 3d., 5d., and Is. per packet; post free for 4,,7, or 13? -amps, of the proprietor, EDWARD Ltix1-, Wellington,.Somerset.—Local Aleuts wanted.

THE BRITISH MISSION TO AFGHAN. A Times Calcutta telegram, received on Sunday, says:—Major St. John has gone in advance to Peshawur to make formal arrangements for the Afghan mission. The Viceroy's messenger to Cabul is expected to return on the 17th, when tho mission will immediately start. The Viceroy has selected Maharajah Pertanb, King of Jaliporo; and Surdah Abdulla, Khan of Jonk, uncle of tho present Nawab, as being representatives of tho Hindoo and Mahommedan families of the highest rank, to accompany the mission. This will enlist the sympathies and interests of the Maboni- medans and Hindoos in the success of the mission.

CRITICAL ASPECT OF AFFAIRS IN INDIA. CALCUTTA, Sept. 8.—The Ameer's reply to tin Viceroy's letter is awaited here with eager in- terest. The fact is universally recognised that the present is one of the most critical epochs i.i the history of British India. The faintest poli- tical misconception or single false move in the conduct of the mission may possibly involve tho Government not only in a costly frontier war, but in terions complications inhnitc-iy significant and important as well to Europe as to England. A great opportunity now offers for settling on a permanent basis our political re- lations with Afghanistan, and also at the same time of arriving at a definite and llr.al understand- with Russia as to the limits of her conquests in Central Asia. This, of course, can only be suc- cessfully accomplished by concerted action be- tween the Indian Government and. the Foreign Office, founded on the clearest and fullest mutual conceptions of the scope and details of both tho Indian and the English Imperial policy. The present measure for the despatch of a mission to Cabul forms but a single move in an extensive concerted schemefor the protection of India, which is the outcome of a long-devised and elaborately worked-out system of defensive policy.—Time* telegram.

THE MASSACRE OF ME1IEMET A LI PASHA. SKETCH OF THE PASHA'S CAREER. LFP.031 THE "TIMES."] PAnrs, Sept. 8.—It is thought by many here that Meliemet Ali's assassination is not due to Albanians alone, but that the jealousies he bud excited may have had something to do with this strange end of a strange life. Meliemet Aii, as is strange end of a strange life. Meliemet Lli, as is wellkuown, sprang from a Huguenot family, which I on the revocation of the edict of Nantes migrateei from France to Germany. He joined a German merchantman as cabin boy, escaped at the age of I eleven to Constantinople, and entered the house- hold of Ali Pasha, who speedily, struck by his in- telligence, gave him military instruction and made him enter the army, in which he eventually gained the high position he held at the outbreak of the late war. His nomination as plenipoten- tiary was not so strange as appeal cel at first sight. He was acquainted with the Russians, spoke French and German fluently, had a mine supple mind than most of the eligilde Turks, and had much more culture and aptitude than could have been found elsewhere. Nothing iu his physiognomy could have made him be mistaken for a Turk; and when he happened to eloit his fc.i he showed the purest conceivable German type. His accent, whatever language he used, was also German; but he had a liveliness of disposition rather recalling his French extraction, and in France he would have been familiarly describes! as a ban enfant. At Berlin he had to display prodigies of skill to maintain a position essentially iaise; but he ultimately won a certain popularity among the members of the Congress. He amused them by the originality of his situation and cha- racter. He one evening delayed the whole Frontier Delimitation Commission by reciting a poem he had written in German, full of sentiment and delicacy, entitled The Boso of Jericho." Prince Bismarcl: one day said of him :— 'I "It would really much amuse one to chat with Meliemet All, who must be a very shrewd man to have reached his present position; but I caimot, I do so. I must not be unmindful of the dignity of the Emperor whom I represent, and who must have been hurt at the selection of him as pleni- potentiary. I can understand his escaping win a eleven years old from a German vessel; I should, perhaps, have done the same; but to thiuk that, being French and German, he made himself Tur- kish, and that, being a Turk, and having made bis way as he has done, he should agree to come hero anel parade before his countrymen his new crie-L and defend its interests against the repre- sentatives of Christian Euiope—I cannot help feeling I was justified ia adopting towareis him the attitude I shall retain all through." The Prince, in fact, never for a moment deviated from an attitude of which Mehemet Ali was con- scious, and even complained privately, but which he was careful not to notice publicly. Contrary to usage, there was no exchange of decorations between the Powers represented at the Congress, each remaining free to give or withhold them. At Berlin it was affirmed that Germany wished thereby to avoid the obligation of bestowing a Grand Cross on Mehemet Ali, who, it was added, only desired to go to the Congress for the sake of obtaining it- The consciousness of this posi- tion, however, did not affect his good humour. When in an amiable mootl he was the iiis.t to condemn the abuses and red-tapeism of Turkey,- and he once related to me in a graphic way the troubles of a Turkish peasant who started uom Novi Bazar with wheat for the Ottoman commis- sariat, and was forced to stop three days ana s; cure 22 signatures before he could draw a Turkish pound to meet his expenses during that time. He was not, perhaps, the most polished of diplomatists, but he had a vivacity and live- liness which made him welcome. He cer- tainly rendered great services to Turkey. He was natural and unembarrassed with every tody. Bismarck alone awed him, and 11, jocosely remarked, "That devil of a man! When he looks at me he has always the air o[ saying, Ah, if you were still a German, I woulel lead you a pretty dance. His death is a loss for that country, if not for humanity, and if he I does not leave the deep impression among those who knew him which is created by really supe- rior minds, he leaves at least that of a man who felt what he owed to his adopted country, and served it with a sincere but not unselfish demotion diaracteristic of all who serve Turkey.

Mr. Grenville Murray's book, "Round about France," has been seized in France by the autho- rities. Messrs. S. C. Griggs and Co., of New York, announce for publication a '• Waverley Bic- t:onarv, by Miss Mary Rogers, which will contain an alphabetical arrangement 9f all the characters in Sir Walter Scott's novels, with a descriptive analysis of each character and illustrative selec- tions from the text. CYPKUS.—A Treasurv Warrant has been pub- lisheel directing that the rates of postage and ad- ditional sums for registration now chargeable on postal packets to or from the islanel of Tdalta shall extend to all postal packets conveyed to or from the island of Cyprus. The inland postage of Cyprus is to be the same as that of the United Kingdom. There was an cmcute, or nearly so, in tiie Theatre Royal, Dublin, on the ;jth .11S. caused by the costume of Mdlle. Cavalazzi, ne frreiuiere danyeitxc in the Traviata ballet. -3 "gods" raised a storm of hisses, whicn were I answered with cheers from the boxes. arrests were maele in the galleries,, an e pui uios were brought up next day at the o ICC odic where some were fined in small amoun s. 1 Messrs. Roberts Brothers (Boston, U.S.A.) are about to publish in their No Na-c somewhat curious volume, to e entitled "A Masque of Poets. It wiU contam anonymous poems by many of the mos distinguished American poets, and a^° mauy from London sources. Among the latter: are known to be poems by Jean Insglow, Christina Rosetta. Lord Houghton, Mr. W. Allmgham Mr. p. B. Mar- stom and other well-known poets. PROPOSED TCXXEI. AT SCARBOROUGH.—For some II vears past it has been proposed to construct a tunnel for the purpose of affording more ready means of comrnunication between the north an el south sides of Scarborough, but the scheme has hitherto lacked support. An attempt is now being made to revive it, and it has progressed so far that the cost has been ascertained, and found to be much more reasonable than has hitherto been thought practicable. The project is to commence a tnnnel near to the point where the North Cliff Tramway is now in course of construction, passing directly under the town, and coming out near the Aqnarium. The tunnel is to be constructed for a. tramway, and theiproject includes the building of a sea wall and promenade between the North Pier and the Castle Holmes. The cost of the work is said to be estimated at about £ 30,000. — Land Agents' Record,

THE LADIES' COLUMN- Kid gloves have appeared in New York. the backs of which are covered with flowers painted by band. A London tradesman has produced a new per- fume, which he styles "the extract of Cyprus flowers." MARMALADE Prrmixo.—Three ounces of flour, two ounces of shred suet, half a pound of bread crumbs, half a teaspoonful of salt, three eggs, two ounces of sugar, half a round of orange marma- lade. with just enough milk to mix. SLT-.EVES.—The Princess of Wales, and many of the best dressed people of the day, have the sleeve sewn into the dress very high indeed on the shoulders. Some of the newest dresses have sleeves, which come only half way between the elbow and wrist. These are to wear with the lon^ gloves. CorviiE-TU SroersTioxs.—Strips of crochet tricote, alternate brown and pale blue, fastened together with amber-coloured filoselle, would look very well. The strips should be 4 in. to o in. wide, and the filoselle used thick. Stars of the vellow woulel be a great improvement scattered over the strips. A fringe at each end of alternate blue and brown wool. Continue the thick chain stitch of the amber filoselle beyond the couvrette, as deep as the fringe is to ',)-, and then fasten it off by I pulling the end through the last loop tightly. VEXTiL.\Tiox or BKDTIOOMS.—The ventilation of bedrooms is a matter which especially cries for II the use of practical social science. People seem to forget that thev breathe while they slumber, and that the life of the enclosed air thev then in- hale is soon exhaused. The riser is struck by the freshness of the morning air when he opens his window or issues from his door, whereas, in fact, his sense of it comes from having shut out the outer air altogether from his house, and therefore- from his lunt;s, for several hours.—Leisure Hour. FSEFUL RF.etn-s i-on THE SHOP, THE HOUSEHOLD,, AS;) THE FAT:M.—A new cement for uniting me- tallic to non-metallic substances is composed of thin-made glue, mixed to the consistence of thick varnish with wood ashes. The ashes should be added gradually to the slue during ebullition, with constant stirring, and the cement should be used hot. A strong mucilage capable of fastening wood or porcelain and glass together is made of s? oz. strong gum arabic solution, to which a solu- tion of 30 grains sulphate of aluminum dissolved in 1 07.. of water is added. DINNKR MATS.—These are very much going out of the fashion, and are little used. I have, how- ever, of late seen some made of wood, with fret- work borders; others of thick silver perforated carclboard, bordered will? chenille; others of crash, covering cardboard, and worked in crewels with a wreath of flowers, or the monogram in centre and flowers round. I have also seen some in plaited straw, sewn row upon row, and worked at intervals with stars in coloured wool. The flexible wootleu mats of alternate rows of dark and light wood are to be recommended for dura- bility.—" Housewife," in the Queen. CIIAXGES. ix FASHIONABLE CUSTOMS.—Among a f:-w sensible changes in fashionable manners and customs which "Sylvia," in the Haute Journal, notices is the substitution of afternoon tea for the wine and cake that used to be offeree! to callers. Tea is much more refreshing after a. round of visits, and it is generally pretty good, whereas the sherry that ladies were wont to offer each other was sometimes dreadful stuff. And the curious thing is, that the worse the wine the more urgently did its owners insist on their guests partaking of it. Wine is among the things that should be not at all, or all in all," since it is not a necessity of existence. THE HEADER.—The young swimmer must learn how to enter the water in a graceful manner. Let her not try too much at first. She should go to the bank of a river where the water is only a few inches below her, and there make her first at- tempt at springing in. She should stoop down till she is nearly double, put her hands together over her head, lean over until they nearly touch the surface, and so quietly glide rather than fall into the water. At first she will be sure to lote the proper attitude, but in a little time she will manage without difficulty. This should be done over and over again, and each time from an in- creased height.—Home Booh for Young Ladies. THE USAGES OF THE PHONOGRAPH.—In Sylvia's Home Journal the following story is told as a valuable lesson to bad tempered girls. In Chi- cargo', a motlipr was so disgusted with the bael temper displayed by her daughter, when asked to assist in household duties, that she resolved upon teaching the refractory young female a lesson. She hid a phonograph behind the door. and then r. quested the grumbler to "make up" her own room. That evening when the lover appeared, the girl's mother brought down Edison's weird invention, and deliberately churned off her off- spring's vixenish remarks, much to the latter's mortification. The young man thanked the old lady with tears in his eyes, and with a grateful head at his timely deliverence, hastily left the house and entered a monastery that very night. PILE OF VELVET.—The short thick nap observ- able on the right side of this material is so called. The closeness and thickness of the pile enhance the beauty of the velvet. It is formed by the wearing putting part of the warp threads over a needle, more or less thick, according to the desired quality of the velvet; the needle is with- drawn, and a sharp steel tool is afterwards taken through this channel, which cuts the loops in its passage. The pile of velvet lies in one direction, and for this reason it is always necessary to observe this when cutting garments for joining pieces. To ascertain the direction, the velvet should be held down, when the light falling upon it will show the difference. The material will have 2, dark or a light shade over its surface; the former is the right way of the material. The pile of velvet should be brushed in the right direction, and always with a velvet brush-z*.e., a piece of wood covered with velvet; this takes off the dust without disturbing the evenness of the pile.— Caswell's Domestic i i-tionary. HOMB DRESSMAKING.—At the present moment expenses seem to press heavily on most people, and how to make money go as far as it will is a question of moment to many. Economy in dress is carried out by buying good things, having only what is absolutely required, and by paying as little for making as possible. Experience t >a >b<:s that the people who look best are these who be- stow personal attention on their own dress. Now- a-days it ifl hardh possible to get any dress we.l made and trimmed under £ 4 or JE.5, which often is as much as the material costs. Three or four of these pounds might be saved if women, wl. o a ti ne is of little value to them, would only have thoroughly gooel dressmaking lessons and profit by them. Vcry many have already done so. Ia Paris such lessons are being continually given, and certainly in London plenty of good teaching is to be had. Home dressmaking, if badly or in- differently carried out, is of no use at all; but the art is not so very difficult but that a little ordinary care and assiduity will master it, and when thB is done t20 a year is easily saved.—CasielVs Family Munnzine. POACHING F.GGs.Whem poaching eggs, a few drops of vinegar should be thrown into the shallow saucepan which contains the salted water in winch the eggs are to be cooked. The vinegar im- proves the colour of the white portion of the e-'g, and imparts to it that pure opaque appearance which is so inviting. Besides using vinegar, it is necessary, in order to poach eggs successfully, that the eggs should be broken with great care, and that not too many eggs should be boiled lO- gether. A safe way of doing them is to break each egg into a teacup and turn this quickly over into the saucepan of boiling water, so that it may stand bottom upwards in the water, with the egg inside it. In a few seconds, when the egg is set, the cup can be removed. It is customary in France, Mexico and the East, when poaching eggs, to use a pottery dish instead of the iron^ one employed for the purpose in this country. The dish is ve.y thick, and is well-warmed through before it is used, after which, butter, with pepper and salt, are placed in it, and the egg when broken and dropped in is at once lubricated, and a savoury mixture is prepared to receive it. A charconl fire is used, so that a moderate heat is secured, and when the egg has browned slightly upon one side it is turned over to the other. It is served as hot as possible upon the dish on which it was poached, and its flavour is most excellent and delicate.-From Cassell's Domestic Dictionary."

One of the sanitary inspectors of Camberwell informed the Lambetk magistrate last week that the remains of children discovered at am undertaker's in Old Kent road had been removed to the deadlnouse of the workhouse, but the authorities now desired tikem to he taken away. Nothing further had been heard from the Treasury authorities as to any proceedings being taken. Mr. Ellison -said he believed the best course to c.dopt would be to remove the remains to the taort nar y jor Jt he j:e m etery.

THE FALKLAND MEMORIAL. Lord Carnarvon, on Monday, unveiled the granite needle which has been erscteel on the battle held r: ewbnry as a memorial to Viscount Falkland. Lord Carnarvon spoke in the highest terms of the parity, unselfishness, and honour which distin- gtiisheel Lord Falkland's character. There was i.fhe; wards a luncheon, at which Lord Carnarvon a gain referred in detail to the life and times of the i. mstrious Royalist whom they were met to honour, ami who, he said, combined in a rc-ma: li- able: degree the character of an arelcut reformer of c..tiijal abuses with that of a devout follower oi me Crown and Constitution.