Monmouthshire Merlin

HOUSE OF LORDS. FRIDAY.—The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. IHISH BILLS. The Juries Procedure Bill, which is to carry out the recommendation of the committee of 1374, the chief one being to change the qualifications of jurors, was read a second time, as was also the Poor Law Rating (Ireland) Bill. The House adjourned at six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. I TUESDAY.—The Speaker took the chair at 4 o'clock. THE CASWELL MUTINY. In reply to Mr. H. B. SHERIDAN, Sir M. H. BEACH stated that it was intended to carry out the sentence of death recorded against the Greek Christos Bambos. The first jury who tried the prisoner did not find him guilty, because one of the jurymen was opposed to capital punishment. EXTRADITION. In answer to a question from Sir W. HABCOURT, Mr. DISRAELI said he proposed to afford to the hon. gentleman the earliest opportunity of bringing forward the question of extradition after the Merchant Shipping Bill had been disposed of. THE AUI'ROPRIATION BILL. On the motion for the second reading of the Appro- priation Bill a conversation arose in regard to the rights of the Crown upon Plumstead Common and Wormwood Scrubs, and ultimately the b'll was read a second time. THE SUEZ CANAL PURCHASE. On the motion for going into committee on the Suez Canal (Shares) Bill, Mr. LOWE asked for information as to the state of the undertaking, and the wayin which the interest of the money advanced by this country was to be paid. (' 0 Mr. GOURLEY complained that the course taken by the Government deprived them of a splendid opportunity of ultimately securing the possession of the high road to India. Sir W. D. WOLFF took exception to the qualifica- tion of the directors, on the ground that they were merely the nominees of the British Government, and that the shares being devoid of coupons were not entitled to representation under the French law. Mr. E. J. REED defended the purchase of the shares. Mr. RYLAND3 argued that the Government had been victimised in the transaction, and complained that the conduct of the Government had encouraged stock jobbing. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER warmly vindicated the conduct of the Government, and intima- ted that if there was any suspicion of the Government having acted improperly, late as it was in the session, there ought to be the fullest inquiry. He also defended the withholding of the fullest publication ot Mr. Cave's report, and added that in regard to the qualification of the directors, there were no- grounds for apprehending any legal difficulty. The Government had full confi- dence in the reports of Lesseps as to tlw condition of the undertaking, and the receipts last year bad in- creased by 17 per cent., while the expenses bad remained nearly stationary. Mr. RYLANDS disclaimed any intention of accusing the Government personally. After some remarks from Mr. MACIVF.R, Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. GREGORY. Mr. MUNTZ, and Lord ELCHO, The Marquis of HARTINGTON thought if there were I time, that it would be extremely instructive to make a comparison between the speeches delivered at the opening of the session,. and by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to-night. It was perfectly evident that all the considerations of high policy which were so much insisted upon in February had now vanished, and a close examination of the correspondence which had been laid on the table failed to satisfy him that we derived such an advantage from the purchase of the Canal shares as justified the expenditure of four millions of money. He believed that in a time of war our connection with the canal could have no effect whatever. He expressed a hope that in future the Government would be shy as to how they embarked in commercial transactions or interfered with the pecuniary affairs of other nations. Mr. DISRAELI defended the policy of the Govern- ment, and urged that the purchase of the canal shares was dictated by considerations of high State policy. We had in point of fact obtained in an amicable manner an object which it might have been necessary hereafter to obtaia by a much more painful controversy. He re- pudiated any responsibility for the stock jobbing trans- actions which had taken place in the country, and he expressed his belief that there had been no change in the opinions of the country on the subject, and that they still regarded the purchase as a political and patriotic act. After some observations from Mr. MONK, Sir J. LUB- flOCK, Mr. BATES, and Mr. S. LLOYD, the House went into committee, and the olauses of the bill were agreed to. APPELLATE JURISDICTION BILL. The House then went into committee on the Appel- late Jurisdiction Bill. The Attorney-General moved various clauses for the amendment of the Supreme Court of Judicature Acts in relation to the Court of Appeal. After a considerable discussion, the claus(a were agreed to, a, well as several other new clauses. The bill then passed through committee. The lloulle adjourned at 25 minutes to 2 o'clock.

The demolition of the men's quarters and stables at Knightsbridge Barracks will shortly be taken in hand. Mr. Frederick Cavill intends attempting to swim from Dover to Calais next week. It is said that important frescoes by Perugino have been discovered in the Cathedral of Oorneto. The more remarkable works in the Dresden Gallery have been copied in photography, and form a volume of 3GO plates. A MILLIONAIRE WITHOUT CHANGE.—There is a good story told of one of the richest bankers in the world which shows that it is not only money that makes the mare to go," but ready money." On a very wet and disagreeable day the baron took a Parisian omni- bus, on his way to the bourse, or exchange, near which the Nabob of finance alighted and was going away without paying. The driverstopped him and demanded his fare. The baron felt in his pocket, but he had not a red cent" of change. The driver was very wroth. If Well, what did you get in for if you could not pay? You must have known that you had no money." I am B<vron R exclaimed the great capitalist, and there is my card." The driver threw the card into the gutter. Never heard of you before," said ffae driver, and I don't want to hear of you again. But I want my fare—and I must have it." The great banker was in haste. I have only an order for a a, But I want my fare—and I must have it." The great banker was in haste. I have only an order for a million," he said, give me change," and he proffered a coupon for 50,000f. The conductor stared, and the passengers set up a horse laugh. Just then an "Agent de 'Change came by, and the baron borrowed of him the six sous. The driver was now seized with a kind of remorseful respect, and turning to the money king he said, "If you want ten franos, air, I don't mind, leading you them on my OWE aooounW

THE ATROCITIES IN BULGARIA. TERRIBLE SCENES. The Daily News special correspondent writes:—I have just seen the town of Batok. Here is what I saw. On approaching the town on a hill there were some dogs. They ran away, and we found on this spot a number of skulls scattered about, and one ghastly heap of skeletons with clothing. I counted from the saddle a hundred skulls, picked and licked clean; all of women and children. We entered the town. On every side were skulls and skeletons charred among the ruins, or lying entire where they fell in their clothing. There were skeletons of girls and wo'nen with long brown hair hanging to the sku Is. We approached the church. Tnere these remains were more frequent, until the ground was literally covered with skeletons, skulls, and putrefying bodies in clothing. Between the church and the school there were heaps. The stench was fearful. We entered the churchyard. The sight was more dreadful. The whole churchyard for three feet deep was fester- ing with dead bodies partly covered-hands, legs, arms, and heads projected in ghastly confusion. I saw many little hands, heads, and feet of children of three yean of age, and girls, with heads covered with beautiful hair. The church was still worse. The floor was covered with rotting bodies quite uncovered. I never imagined anything so fearful. There were three thousand bodies in the churchyard and church. We were obliged to hold tobacco to our noseat In the school, a fine building, two hundred women and ohildren had been burnt alive. All over the town there were the same scenes. In some places heaps of bodies buried in shallow holes had been uncovered by the dozs. The banks of the little stream were covered with bodies. Many bodies had been carried to Tatar Bazardjik, a distance of thirty miles. The town had i'000 inhabitants. There now remain twelve hundred. Many who escaped had returned recently, weeping and moaning over their ruined homes. Their sorrow- ful wailing; could be heard half a mile off. The man who did all this, Achmed Aga, has been promoted, and is still governor of the district. The newspaper accounts were not exaggerated. They could not be. No orime Invented by Turkish ferocity was left uncommitted. Seven thousand bodies have been lying here since May 12th, rotting in the sun, preyed upon by dogs; and Sir Henry Elliot has never heard that the authorities demand a war contribution from the remaining inhabitants of 100,000 piastre* The town formerly paid a million. The harvest is rotting in the fields. The owners are in the churchyard. The survivors' cattle have been taken by the Turks, who refuse to restore it. The statement that the Bulgarians committed atroci- ties is utterly unfounded and shamefully false. There is no proof yet that a single Turkish woman or child was killed or violated. There is urgent need of relief for the starving and helpless families.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. FBID AY.—The Speaker took the chair at a quarter-past two o'clock. THE EDUCATION BILL. The adjourned debate on the further consideration of the Elementary Education Bill, as amended, was re- sumed by Lord SANDON, who said he was desirous of stating to the House the result of the consideration of the Go- vernment since the heated discussion which took place last night. He thought there bad been considerable misapprehensions on the subjeot. In Scotland, ac- cording to the Act of 1872, the school boards had nothing whatever to do either with the remission or the payment of the fees of poor children, but it was laid down in the 69th section that it was the duty of the parochial board of the parish to pay out of the poor fund the ordinary or reasonable fees for the elementary education of any child who required it. Under Clause 14 of the present bill it was provided that if the parent by reason of poverty was unable to pay the fees it would be the duty of the guardians to pay them. This would place the law on the same footing as in Scotland. Where there were school boards the boards had the power of remitting the fees, or of paying them in schools which did not belong to them, and the opinion of the Depart- ment under the late Government was that, as the parent was compelled to send his child to school, he should be at liberty to select the school for him- self. The present Government were of the same opinion, and felt that it was a serious thing to compel the parent to pay the fees where the child was com- pelled to enter a board school. He admitted that the amendment of Lord R. Montagu hit a blot in the bill, but he proposed that the noble lord should with- draw it, and he himself would then move the omission from Clause 14 of the words "not being resident in the district of a school board." This would place the whole country, including Scotland, on one uniform system, and there would be no slur cast upon the school boards. Lord R. MONTAGU, who said his sole object was to remove a manifest injustice, withdrew the amendment. Mr. FAWCETT urged teat the proposal of Lord Sandon left the matter exactly where it stood. The amendment was then withdrawn. Mr. FORSTER moved to insert after" parent," in Clause 14, the words not being a pauper." He con- demned the course pursued by the Government which had resulted in all this delay. Mr. CALLAN supported the Government, and said that he looked with suspicion upon any proposal which emanated from the front Opposition bench. Mr. RICHARD said the proposition of Lord Sandon was simply the 25th Clause of the Act of 1870, in a more aggravated form. Mr. FAWCETT asked what the effect of the noble I lord's suggestion would be upon the 25th Clause of the Act of 1870. Lord SANDON said that if his suggestion were ac- ceded to he should propose to repeal the 25th Clause. Mr. GOSCHEN remarked that that was no concession at all, but only the natural result of the noble lord's proposal. After some further discussion, the amendment moved by Mr. Forster was agreed to. Lord SANDON then proposed to omit the words not being resident in the district of a school board," in order to carry out the compromise which he had suggested. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that after what had taken place, it was necessary to deal with the question, and the present amendment was pro- posed as the least objectionable mode of meeting the difficulty. Dr. PLAYFAIR, Mr. RYLAXDS, Mr. DODSOX, and Mr. FAWCETT opposed the motion. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN, in a maiden speech, contended that the religious difficulty was not the people's diffi- culty, and that if the priests and the parsons would stand aside very little would be heard of it. No one had a right to enforce upon any man a religious teach- ing of which he disapproved but on the other hand, were they called upon to provide for every man the re- ligions teaching for whicli he asked? His own opinion was that it was not a breach of the rights of conscience to refuse an extortionate demand. He asked the Government to carry out their proposal to its logical conclusion, and to givn a choice of schools in the agri- cultural districts instead of driviug all the children into the denominational schools. He regarded the proposal of the Government with alarm, and believed it would import a feeling of religious discord into the future elections of Boards of Guardians. Mr. HOP WOOD opposed the amendment, and re- gretted that the religious difficulty should have been j again introduced. Mr. FORSTER said it was impossible by any sort of Ingenuity to have mooted any question more likely to ec prevent the House from coming to a speedy and amica- Lie conclusion upon the bill. He thought what had uccurred fully justified the course which was taken last night. He intimated that he now supported the pro- posal made by the Government, as he thought the guardians were the proper persons to pay the fees. Upon a division the amendment was carried by 175 against 77. Mr. FAWCETT then moved an amendment, which was to provide that the districts which did not possess a school board should be left in the position in which tboi-e districts DOW were which had school boards. Lord SANDON opposed, on the ground that, if carried, the amendment would revive the disagreeable religious discussions which had such an injurious effect upon the labours of the school boards. Mr. FORSTER also opposed the amendment, and after some discussion the amendment was rejected by 176 against 72. An amendment was moved by Mr. RAMSAY to as- similate the law to that of Scotland by providing that persons whose fees were paid by the guardians should be subjected to existing disabilities and disqualiifcations. The amendment was supported by Mr. FORSTEK, Dr. PLAYL AIK, Mr. LUM'E, and other hon. members, and op- posed by Mr. UALI., Lord II. MONTAGU, Mr. CHARLEY, and Sir J. M'KKNXA. Lord SANDON said the balance of consideration was against the proposition. Mr. RAMSAY offered to withdraw the amendment, but members below the gangway refused to allow it to be withdrawn, and on a division it was rejected by 159 against 42. The sitting was suspended at seven o'clock. THE EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at nine o'clock. Mr. TENNANT. who had precedence with a motion relative to the Workshops and Factory Act, gave way on an appeal from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in order to enable the Government to make progress with THE EDUCATION BILL. THE 25TH CLAUSE REPEALED, ON MR. FORSTER'S OWN MOTION. The report of amendments to the Education Bill was further, considered, and several verbal amendments were agreed to after a brief discussion. The 25th Clause of the Education Act of 1870 was, on the motion of Mr. W. E. FORSTER, repealed. Certain other amendments were inserted, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow. THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS BILL. On the order for the third reading of the Pollution of Rivers Bill, Mr. DILLWYN moved its rejection, because of the material changes wbich had been introduced into it in the interests of the manufacturers. After some discussion the amendment was withdrawn, and the bill was read a third time. The House was counted out at quarter past one o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. SATURDAY.—The Speaker took the chair at a quarter- past 12 o'clock. SUPPLY. Mr. W. H. SMITH, in reply to Mr. G.SnAW LEFBVEB, said the report of supply would be the first order on Monday. THE EDUCATION BILL. On the order for the third reading of the Elementary Education Bill, Mr. RICHARD made a final protest against ti>e measure. He disputed the interpretation which had been put upon the views of hon. members on the Oppo- sition side of the House that their desire was that there should be no religious education in our schools. He begged toaffiim that be and those who supported him were as earnestly anxious that the children of the country should be brought under Christian influences as any members on the Conservative benches; but his conten- tion was that in a country like this, with its multi- farious forms of religion, it was impossible to establish a system of denominational teaching without doing violence to the rights of conscience. Therefore it was that some on that side of the House insisted npon united secular and separate religious instruction. Mr. G. SHAW LEFEVRE also protested against the third reading of the bill. Mr. BIRLEY supported the bill. Mr COWEN said that Lord Sandon had charged the one section of the Opposition with complaining of the severity and strength of the measure, and the other section with complaining of its weakness. True, the measure was weak and feeble as an educational measure, but it was strong asd powerful as a piece of machinery for increasing denominational teachiug and putting the instruction of the children in the hands of the clergy. He agreed that it was wise and judicious to entrust educa- tional powers to the administration of town councils, though h9 regretted they were .not endowed with the ability to build schools; but be had the strongest objection to the same powers being rested in boards of guardians who were not elected by the vote of the people. Boards of guardians bad never shown an inte- jest in the cause of education; indeed, his own expe- ri enca hed taught him quite the reverse. But if there • was any man in this country who needed education it was the poor man. The rich man could afford to do without it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. CLARE READ, on behalf cf the tenant farmers, complained that the bill went too far in preventing the employment of children under the age of 14. Mr. BURT agreed with some of the provisions of the bill, but strongly objected to the importation of boards of guardians into the management of national educa- tion. He maintained that the education of the country should be free, compulsory, and entirely unsectarian. Sir G. BOWYER complained that the bill interfered with the most important part of the education of children, viz the habit of making themselves useful, which ought to be iuculcated at the earliest age. Lord SANDON thanked the House for the very valuable suggestions which he had received not only from his own friends, but from hon. members opposite, and he thought the Government had reason to congratulate themselves on having, after all their sharp conflicts and warm debates, secured an undercurrent of sympathy for the bill. The noble lord adverted seriatim to the objections which had been urged against the bill, and he left the assertion of Mr. S ha w- Lefevre that the Government had broken faith with the House, with confidence to the judgment and opinion of Parliament and the country. He should endeavour to forget everything of a disagreeable nature which had occurred in the course of the debate, and to recollect nothing but the assistance which he had received from both sides of the House. He hoped the measure would lay the foundations broad and* deep for the sound ele- mentary instruction of the people. Mr. GOSCHEN wished to point out two results which the bill had effected. School boards had suffered in re- putation and power, the 25th Clause had been repealed, but a worse clause had been substituted in its place. The substituted clause would, he was convinced, give rise to much more contention and heartburning, and it would be more universal, because it would spread over a wider area than the clause for which it was substituted. He added that throughout the discussion of the bill the patience and political conscience of the Liberal party had been stretched to the utmost, and he predicted that there would be much angry discuss-ion out of doors upon the changes which had been introduced into the bill. Under these circumstances, if a division was taken be should record his vote against the third reading of the bill, more as a matter of form and protest than with any hope of obstructing the passing of the measure. Mr. FORSTER said the bill certainly contained valu- able provisions. Work was stopped at ten years of age, and afterwards the principle was established that either the child must have attained a certain pro- ficiency, or work and school must go on together. It also gave a legal definition of the duty of a parent, and altogether the educational results of the bill were valuable and important. Ihe other results of the bill were less satisfactory, although he believed that the effect of the changes might be overrated. He denied that the boards of guardians would inherit the diffi- culties of the school boards, and pointed out that they would simply have the power now exercised in Scotland of paying the fees. He was of opinion that the pay- ment of fees by boards of guardians would, in the end, d udnsh the expenditure, as they had a better opportunity of knowing the circumstances of the parent* than the school boards. In re- gard to the Clause which provided for the dissolu- tion of school boards, his opinion was that it was really a very small matter, and ought not to have occu- pied the consideration of the House for a week. (Min- isterial cheers.) There was no occasion for cheering, because if it was a small matter why had it been so persistently pressed t (Opposition cheers.) All he could say was that the discussion which had taken place had reduced the ill effects of the clause to a minimum. He strongly objected to the clause which related to the grant, and he added that, now the clause had been agreed to, he should consider himself absolved from any engagements which were made at the time of the pass- ing of the Act of 1870. The House then divided, and the numbers wp.¥e:— For the third reading 119 Against. 46 Maiority. 73 The bill was then read a third time and passed amid loud Ministerial cheers. MR. CAVE'S MISSION TO EGYPT. Sir G. CAMPBELL rose, on the order for going into Committee of Supply, to call attention to the loan transactions of the Khedive of Egypt. Though he did not intend to move any formal resolution on the subject, the mere fact of its being brought forward would en- able Mr. Cave to make an explanation with regard to his mission, and also to state the condition of the land revenue of Egypt. He was glad that the Khedive had not been successful in raising another loan. Mr. CAVE, declining to go either into the policy of the mission itself, or to repeat what bad been set forth in his report, contended that the finances of Egypt would have been in a worse condition than they are if it had not been for the exposure contained in that report, upon which. indeed, those who had objected to the report itself being published had based their calculations, so that it was fair to assume that it was a truthful repre- sentation of the financial affairs of that country. At the time his report was published he believed the Khedive's indebtedce-s might be met, and be enter- tained the same opinion still, though, on account of his greater liabilities, the operation must be atteuded with more difficulty now. Mr. DODSON criticised the policy of the mission without in any way finding fault with the way in which Mr. Cave had carried it out. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied that the report of Mr Cave was a piece of waste paper; on the contraiy, it was a very valuable document, on which the calculations of everybody since, with reference to the tinancial affairs of Egypt had been based. It was not a fact that the policy of the Government had been marked by blunders at every stage, or that Mr. Cave's mission had anything to do with the pur- chase of the Suez Canal shares, fcr it was after that negotiation that the Khedive applied for skilled as- sistance in making his financial arrangements, and the Government, thinking it highly important that he should have the best advice, sent out Mr. Cave. Sub- sequently, at the request of the Khedive, Mr. Rivers Wilson was sent out, but care was taken that he should not incur any responsibility on the part of the Govern- ment. The object of the Government was patent, and they had no ulterior or secret objects of any kind. The Government certainly felt some surprise at the steps taken by the Khedive in not acting upon the report of Mr. Cave, or availing himself of the assistance of Mr. Wilson, but they had nothing whatever to do with the matter of his subsequent arrangements. Mr. LOWE severelv censured the Government for their share in this Egyptian drama, which consisted of four acts. The first was intrusion, in which they sent out a mission that was neither wanted nor asked for the second was inquisition, In instituting an inquiry utterly unwarranted; the third was suppression, in which the Government was led to keep the information to themselves; and the fourth was repudiation, for the Government not only repudiated all share in the transaction, but had landed the KhediTe also in repudia- tion and bankruptcy. After some remarks from Sir H. D. WOLFF and Sir G. ELLIOT, the House went into committee, and the vote of X2200 for Mr. Cave's mission was agreed Some other votes in connection with the Suez Canal shares were agreed to. The remaining votes in Com- mittee of Supply were also agreed to. NEW WRIT FOR LEEDS. A new writ was ordered for Leeds, on the motion of Lord Kensington, in the room of Mr. Carter, resigned. The House adjourned at nine o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY.—The Lord Cbancellor took his seat on the woolsack at 5 o'clock. CATTLE DISEASE (IRELAND) BILL. The Duke of RICHMOND and GORDON moved the second reading of this bill, and said it was one much desired by agriculturists. It was intended by the bill to assimilate the practice in Ireland to that of England with reference to the slaughter of cattle affected by disease and to the payment of compensation. Lord EMLY and Earl SPKNCER approved the bill, which was read a second time. The Savings Banks (Barristers) and the Superanua- tion (Unhealthy Climates) bills were also read a second time. THE ARMY RESERVE. Lord STRATHNAIRN moved for papers showing why the provisions of the Mutiny Act and Articles of War were not applied to the army reserve, according to the regulations, from 1871 to 2nd March, 1876, and for any papers showing how many men of the first-class army reserve have been invalided. Lord CARDWELL said the number of reserve men was never so great as at present — as it was left by the late Government and maintained by the present Government. This state of things he considered most satisfactory. As to the question of the noble Earl, the late Government did not call out the men in the first year of their formation, because of tbe risk of their losing their civil employment. He rejoiced that in the event of war we should have a reserve composed of trained men who could be relied on. The Earl of CADOGAN said the regulations, as they existed, were carried out during the period mentioned, and therefore he could not assent to the production of papers. The motion was then negatived. BILLS FORWARDED. Amcfag the bills forwarded was the Ireland Winter Assizes Bill. which was read a third time and passed. THE EDUCATION BILL. The Education Bill was read a first time. The House adjourned at seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY.—The Speaker took the chair shortly before four o'clock. BRITISH SUBJECTS IN CUBA. In reply to Mr. JACOB BRIGHT, Mr. BOURKE stated that negotiations were going on with Spain in order to place British subjects in Cuba in all respects upon the tooting of the most favoured nation. PBOMOTION IN THB ABMY. In reply to Sir H. HAYCOCK, Mr. JUBDY ..Ø4 that he was about to lay on the table the report of the Royal Commission on promotion and retirement in the army. A BRAVE PLATELAYER. On the motion of supply having been brought up, Lord ELCHO called attention to the circumstances attending the death of John Chiddy, a platelayer on the Bristol and Exeter Railway in the endeavour to avert a railway accident. He thought that provision ought to be made for the wife and family. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER promised that the Treasury would take into consideration any representation that was made to them. He was not aware whether the railway company had made any pro- vision for the widow, but there was no doubt that the gallant act of Chiddy had saved them from heavy loss. THE THUNDERER DISASTER. Mr. B. COCHRANE thought the sufferers by the explosion on board the Thunderer ought to be compen- sated by means of a vote in supply. THE OUTRAGES IN BULGARIA. Mr. ANDEHSON called attention to the outrages in Bulearia, t.id read quotations from newspapers and private letters from Constantinople corroborating the statements in the Daily Xeics, and complaining cf the tone in which the question had been treated by Mr. Disraeli. He stated that the outrages of the Bashi- Bazouks were well known at Constantinople to have been perpetrated long before the outbreak of the insur- rection. The Turkish defence he characterised as a con- temptible, trumped-up story, containing neither the name of the people nor the place. The atrocities had come to an end in Bulgaria, but it appeared that they were going on in Bosnia and Servia. He did not be- lieve that this country would much longer consent to hold any terms of friendship and alliance with a nation which permitted its subjects to commit such outrages. He expressed a hope that her Majesty, in concert with the other great Powers, would address a strong remonstrance to Turkey. Mr. MUNDELLA supported the views expressed by Mr. Anderson. Mr. B. COCHRANE still believed that the outrages had been greatly exaggerated, and that they were equalled by atrocities ou the other side. He strongly condemned the inflammatory speeches which had re- cently been delivered in that House. Captain HAYTER said he was informed'by a relative who lived in the neighbourhood that there was unfor- tunately no exaggeration in the accounts which had been received in this country. Mr. P. TAYLOR censured the supineness of the Government, and remarked that if Earl Russell had been at the head of affairs, or in command of the fleet at Besika Bay, the remonstranoes of this country would have been much more forcible. Mr. JACOB BRIGHT suggested that the fleet in Besika Bay might be used to support the remonstrances of our Ambassador. After some remarks from Mr. WHIT WELL and Mr. CUWEN, Mr. BOURKE said. although the Government had received to new information upon the subject, he was not surprised that any hon. member should bring the matter forward. He denied that the Prime Minister bad treated the statements in the Daily News with levity, and said there was no subject connected with the administration of foreign affairs which bad given his right hen. friend so much anxious consideration. But the seriousness of the subject rendered it absolutely necessary that it should be treated with circumspection, and that there should be no exaggeration which might justify a denial from Turkey. He also defended the conduct of Sir Henry Elliot in the matter. He was not prepared to say whether the statements in the Daily were true or exaggerated or not, but he be- lieved it was the fault of uewspaper corre- spondents to be satisfied with a very small amount of information, and to take evidence at second hand. The Government, therefore, preferred going to the fountain head. As soon as they heard of the outrages they telegrached to Sir H. Elliot for information, and they Lad since sent Mr. Baring to make an inquiry on the spot. The Government would issue in a day or two a report and other papers which bad been received from Mr. Baring, and be had no doubt that the Prime Minister would issue with similar promptitude any despatches and reports which might be received in the recess. He read a letter from Mr. Baring dated July 26th in which that gentleman stated that he had been endeavouring to collect information, but the evidence was of so conflicting a character that he was unafele as yet to arrive at the truth. He could obtain no cor- roboration of the alleged selling into slavery of Bulgarian women and children, but it did appear that the members of many families bad become scattered. There was not a word of truth in the statement as to the cartloads of human heads. The number of irregular troops was very few. About I2,0u0 Bulgarians bad'peri.shed. It was difficult to ascertain with accuracy the toss on the part of the Turks. The number was stated by the Turks themselves to be 1000, but Mr. Baring thought that one-half of that number would be nearer the mark. About sixty villages had been wholly or partially destroyed by fire, the greater portion of them by the Bashi Bazouks. About ten had been burnt by the Turks. M Baring added that, although it was undoubted that Mussulmans had committed atrocities in Bulgaria, it was equally certain that great outrages had been perpetrated by the Christian population. This despatch showed that Mr. Baring was diligently performing his duty, and that there was no disposition to keep any information back. Every effort was being made by the Govern- 'u c ment to prevent the recurrence of similar outrages. In the meantime, the Turkish Government had issued the most stringent instructions to put a stop to any- thing in the natu;e of outrage, and were taking the most rigorous steps to enforce them. The proclamation of the Grand Vizier threatened death to all who took part in such acts. The Marquis of HARTINGTON denied that any partisan character had been given to the discussion from the Opposition benches. He contended that although the Government might not be open to the charge of apathy or indifference, still they ought to have put themselves in a position to get better informa- tion. He hoped the further papers would be.laid, without delay, on the table, and he suggested that it might be desirable to have another discussion on the subject before the end of the session. The subject then dropped. Upon Vote 1, Class 5, Dr. CAMERON moved the re- duction of the vote by £ 2000, the amount of the salary of her Majesty's Minister resident and Consul General in Peru. He called attention to the circumstances of the capture of the Talisman and contended that the men would have been released much earlier if our Minister had taken more active and energetic measures. Mr. BOURKE defended the conduct of Mr. St. John, the British Minister in Peru, and stated that the Government had recently sent an energetic despatch to the Peruvian Government calling for the release of the prisoners. After a brief conversation, the amendment was with- ^Mr OOWEN' moved the rejection of the vote for the commutation of the pension to the Duke of Schomberg. Mr. W. H. SMITH said the rejection of the voie would involve a breach of faith. The amendment was withdrawn. The report of supply was then agreed to. The other business was disposed of, and the House adjourned at 2.10 a.m.

DISTRESSING ACCIDENT. Intelligence was received on the 4th inst. of a sad accident at Havre. On that morning, as the steamer Eclair was about to leave the quay, loaded with pas- sengers for Trouville, the tow-rope which held the vessel snapped, owing to the rolling of the steamer, whereby the bridge over which the passengers passed gave a sudden lurch and capsized, precipitating into the wafer below the Right Rev. W. J. Trower (for- merly Bishop of Gibraltar), Mrs. Elizabeth Trower, and Miss Frances Trower, their daughter. No time was lost, and all three were very soon got out and con- ducted to the Admiralty Hotel. In the case of Mrs. Trower, however, although she had been in the water for a very few moments, restoratives were of no avail. She expired from the sudden shock to her nervous system.

IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN CATTLE. People who praise in festive chorus the roast beef of Old England and who believe in the literal truth of that time-honoured phrase must (says the Daily Telegraph) belongto the rather numerous class of persons whom Miss Nightingale once described as thinking outside their heads." The smoking sirloins and sa- voury barons of meat that nowaday gladden the heart of the hungry Briton cannot all claim the na- tionality of Old England. If any one doubt this let him glance at the report just published by the veterinary department of the Privy Council, that lie may have his poetic illusions on the subject dissipated forthwith. The official returns will teach him that the roast beef of Old England" is, as a matter of fact, most frequently the roast beef of "Old" France, Denmark, Belgium, Russia, Prussia, la, Sweden, or Spain. For five years past, the statisticians of the veterinary department tell us, we have received upwards of a million cattle and sheep every season from foreign parts. Last year, for example, the importations of stock into this country amounted to 263,505 cattle, 985,111 sheep, and 73,074 swine and if these Imports go on increasing, as they seem likely to do, the favourite old national song to which we have alluded will have to be rewritten and adapted to our altered circumstances. The truth is the English are as "shrewd eaters of beef" as ever fought at Agincourt. They devour so much animal food, and by bad cookery waste so much more, that the home- raised stock cannot at present, and probably never will, sufiica to supply their wants. Benevolent people are every now and then, it Is true, pointing out to the British workman how much better he would be if he would leave off feasting on underdone butcher's meatand take to well-cooked and savoury vegetable messes in- stead. But the advocate of vegetarianism amongst the working classes of England is like that bicentenarian par- rot Alexander von Humboldt found on the Oronoco. He speaks a strange tongue to a people that understand him not." As long as the working classes are able to afford what Mark Twain calls a good square meal," they will insist on having it consist for the most part of animal food, and what will happen when their wages fall so low as to render this unattainable, it would be most hazardous to conjecture. But until that time arrives we must make up our minds to face a defective home supply of butcher's meat, and depend on foreign countries for something like forty per cent. of our beef and mutton.

THE AFRICAN EXPEDITION. LETTER FROM MR. STANLEY. The London Daily Telegraph publishes the first portion of a letter received from Mr. Stanley. The letter has been more than a year reaching its destina- tion, as it is dated July 29th, 1875; but our con- temporary says it has heard from Mr. Stanley as recently as June last. Continuing my narrative (says Mr. Stanley) of our journey from Uganda toUsukuma by the western shore of Lake Niyanza, I resume it from the point where I left off in my last letter-the Kagera river or the Kitangule. The day we left the Kagera river we resttd at night on a smooth sandy beach by the foot of the Usongoro plateau, at a point called Kagya. The natives were friendly and disposed to be hospitable, so that we augured well for our reception during our travels along the coast of Uzongora. The next afternoon we camped at Makongo, and re- ceived an apparent welcome from the natives, each of whom was engaged as we landed in the grave occupa- tion of imbibing pombe or beer by means of long straw pipes, exactly as people take a 'sherry cobbler' or a mint julep in the United States. The chief slightly reeled as he came forward to salute me, and bis eyes had that uncertain gaze which seemed to hint that he saw two white men when there was only one. How- ever, he and his people were good-natured, and well-contented with our arrival. About ten p.m. we were all wakened from sleep by a furious drumming, accompanied now and then by shrill yells. The Waganda said that this was in honour of the white stranger. I did not believe them, and therefore put my people on their guard, ordered them to load their guns, place them under their sleeping mats, and arranged all my own in a handy and safe position. Except the con- tinued uproar nothing, however, occurred during the night, but at daybreak we found ourselves in presence of about 500 warriors, with bow, shield, and spear, who had crept quietly near the camp, and then had stood up in a semi-circle, preventing all escape save by water. I was so astonished by this sudden apparition of such a large body of armed men that I could barely believe that we .were still in Mtesa's territory. There was also something very curious in their de- meanour, for there was no shouting, yelling, or frantic behaviour, as we had several times witnessed on the part of savages when about to commit themselves by a desperate deed. They all wore a com- posed though a stern and determined aspect. It was of a terrible moment to us. We knew not what to make of these hundreds of savages, who persisted in being silent, and gave no hint as to their intentions, unless the forest of spears might be taken as a clear, un- mistakable, and explicit hint that their object was a bloody one. We feared to make a movement lest it should orecipitate a catastrophe which might pos- sibly be averted; so we remained a few minutes sur- veying each other. The silence was soon broken, how- ever, by the appearance of the chief who had welcomed us-thouzh he was then inebriated-the evening before. He had a long stick in his hand, which he flourished before the faces of the savages, and by this means drove them several paces backwards. He then came forward, and, striking the boat, ordered us to get off, he himself lending a hand to shove the little craft into the lake." TIlE EXPEDITION IN PETUL.—AX INTENDED MASSACRE AVERTED. Mr. Stanley then describes the privations which he and his crew underwent during the next two days, in consequence of having insufficient food. He proceeds At daybreak we hurried away from our dangerous anchorage before a steady strong breeze from the north-feast, and within three hours drew near the com- fortable little cove near the village of Ka juri, at the south-eastern extremity of Bambireh Island. As we looked on the plenty which green slopes, garnished with large groves of plantations and dotted with herds of fat cattle, promised, we anticipated an abundance of good food, ripe bananns, a fat goat, a large supply of milk and other things, good for famishing men. But we were disappointed to bean the large number of people on the plateau above the village shouting their war-cry. Still we pressed nearer the beach hunger gave us much confidence, and a rich tribute we were sure would pacify the most belligerent chief. Perceiving that we persisted in approaching their shore the people rushed down the slope of the plateau towards us. Prudence whispered to me to at. least get ready our guns, which I accordingly did, and then rowed slowly towards the beach, certain that if hostilities began, indications of such would appear in time to enable us to withdraw. We halted at the distance of 20 yards from land, and I observed that the wild behaviour of the natives changed, as they approached nearer, to affability. We exchanged the usual friendly preetings, and were invited to come ashore in such terms as dissipated the least suspicion from our minds. No sooner, however, had the keel of the boat grounded than the natives rushed on us in a body, seized it, nud rira-ml it up lii,h and dry, with all on board. The reader may imagine the number of natives required to perform this feat when I state that the boat, baggage, and crew weighed nearly 4000 Ibs. Twice I raised my revolvers to kill and be killed but, the crew restrained me, saying it was premature to fisrht, as these people were friends, and all would be right. Accordingly I sat down in the stern sheets, and waited patiently for the decisive mo- ment. The savages fast increased in numbers, and the hubbub grew greater. Angry language and violent action we received without comment or wor-I on our part. Spears were held in their hands as if on the launch, arrows were drawn to the head and pointed at each of us with frenzied looks and eyes almost bursting out of their sockets. The apparently peaceful people seemed to be now personified furies. Throughout all the scenes of civilised and wild life which I have witnessed, I never saw mad rage or cruel fury painted so truly before on human features. It led them to the verge of absurdity even. They struck the ground* and the boat, stamped, foamed at the mouth, gnashed their teeetb, slashed the air with their spears, but they shad no blood. The interpreters were instructed to offer oloths and beads to the ohief Shekka, who appeared to have despotic authority over all, judging from the reveren- tial ttnd ready obedience paid to his commands. Shekka demanded four cloths and ten necklaces of large beads as his price for permitting us to depart in peace. They were paid to him. Having secured them, he instantly ordered his people to seize our oars,, which was done before we understood what they were about, This was the second time that Shekka had aoted cunningly and treacherously, and a loud jeering laugh from his people showed him how much they appreciated his wit. "At 3 p.m. the natives began to assemble on the ridge of a low hill about 100 yards from the boat; and pre- sently drums were heard beating the call to war, until within half an hour about 500 warriors had gathered round Shekka, who was sitting down addressing his people. When he had done, about 50 rushed down, took our drum, and kindly told us to get our guns ready to fight, as they were coming presently to cut our throats. As soon as I saw the savages had arrived in the presence of Shekka with our drum, I shouted to my men to push the boat into tne water. With one desperate effort my crew of 11 hands lifted and shot it far imo the lake, the impetus they had given it causing it to drag them all into deep water. In the meantime the savages, uttering a furious howl of disappointment and baffled rage, came rushing like a whirlwind towards their canoes at the water's edge. I discharged my elephant rifle, with its two large conical balls, into their midst; and then, assisting one of the crew into the boat, told him to help his fellows in while I continued to fight. My double-barrelled shot gun, loaded with buck- shot, was next discharged with terrible effect, for, without drawing a single bow or launching a single spear, they fell back up the slope of the hill, leaving us to exert our wits to get ourseives out or the cove before the enemy should decide to man their canoes. My crew was composed of picked men, and in this dire emergency they did ample justice to my choice. Though we were without oars, they were at no loss for a substitute. As soon as they found them- selves in the boat they tore up the seats and foot- boards, and began to paddle, while I was left to single out with my rifles the most prominent and boldest of the enemy. Twice in succession I succeeded in dropping men determined on launching the canoes, and ¡;e£Ång the sub-chief, who had commanded the party that took the drum, I took deliberate aim with my elephant rifle at him. That bullet, as I have since been told, killed the chief and two others who happened to be standing a few paces behind him and the extraordinary result bad more effect, I think, on the superstitious minds of the natives than all previous or subsequent shots. On getting out of the cove we saw two canoes loaded with men coming out in pursuit from another small inlet,.J permitted them to approach within 100 yards of at, and this time I used the elephant rifle with explosive balls. Four shots killed five men and sank the canoes. This decisive affair disheartened the enemy, and we were left to pursue our way unmolested, not, however, without hearing a ringing voice shouting to up, Go. and die in the Niyanza. When the savages counted their losses, they found 14 dead and wounded with ball and buckshot, which although I should con- sider to be very dear payment for the robbery of eight ash oars and a drum, was barely equivalent, in fair estimation, to the intended massacre of ourselves." A STORM AT SEA IN A SMALL BOAT. Favoured by a slight breeze from the land, we hoisted our sail, and by night were eight miles south-east of Bambireh. A little after dusk a calm came on, and we continued on our course saddling All night I kept tho men hard ft* work, making, however, but little progress through the water. At sunrise we were about twenty miles south-east of Bambireh, and by noon were about 2.) miles off. At this time we got a strong wind from the north-west, and sped before it at the rate of five knots an hour. At sunset we were about 12 miles north-east of Sosua or Gosua Island, and if the breeze continued favourable we hoped to be able to make a haven some time before midnight. But about eight p.m. it rose to a fierce gale, and, owing to the loss of our oars, we could not keep the boat before the wind. As we were swept past the island we made frantic efforts to get to leeward, but it was to no purpose; we therefore resigned ourselves to the waves, the furious rain, aud the horror of the tempest. Many of your readers, no doubt, have experienced a storm at sta; few, however, can have witnessed it in a small boat. But our situation was more dangerous even than the letter. We had rocks and unknown islands In our neighbourhood, and a few mites further a main- land peopled by savages, who would have no scruple in putting us all to death or enslaving us. If our boat capsised, the crocodiles of the lake would make short work of us: if we were driven on an uninhabited island, death by starvation awaited us there. Yet despite these terrors we were so worn out with hunger, fatigue, and anxiety, that, except- ing the watchman, we all fell asleep, though av'akened now and then by his voice calling upon the men to bale the boat out. At daybreak the tempest and high waves subsided, and we perceived we had drifted eight miles westward of Sosua and to within six of the large island of Mysomeh. We had not a morsel of food in the boat I possessed but a little ground soilee, and we had tasted nothing else for 148 hours yet the crew, when called to resume their rough paddles, cheerfully responded to the cry, and did their duty manfully. A gentle breeze now set in from the westward, which bore us quickly east of Sosua, and carried us by two p.m. to an island which I have distinguished by the name of Refuge Island. On ex- {iloring this place we saw it to be about two miles n "ircumference, to have been formerly inhabited and cultivated, aud, to our great joy, we found an abund- ance of green bananas, and of a small ripe fruit re- sembling cherries in appearance and size, but having the taste of dates. To add to this bounty, I succeeded in shooting two brace of large fat ducks, and when darkness closed in on us, in our snug and secure camp close by a strip of sandy beach, few people that night blessed God more t'evently than we did. We rested a day on Refuge Island, during which time we made amends for the scarcity we bad suffered; then, feeling on the second day somewhat recovered, we set sail for Singo Island. We imagined that we were near enough to Usukuma to venture to visit Ito Island, situated a mile south of Singo, the slopes of which were verdant with the frondage of plantain, but, on attempting to land, we were met by a force of natives who rudely repulsed us with stones shot from slings. Our cartridgea being all spoiled by the late rainy weather, we were unable to do more than hoist sail and speed away to more kindly shores. A LAND OF MILK AND HONEY. Two days afterwards our boat rounded the south- western extremity of Wiro, a peninsula of Ukerewe, and rode on the grey waters of Speke Gulf, the distant shore line of Usukuma bounding the view south about 22 miles off. A strong head wind rising we turned into a small bay in Wiro Peninsula, where we purchased meat, potatoes, milk, honey, bananas, ripe and green, eggs, and poultry; and, while at anchor, cooked these delicacies on board with such relish and appetite as only starving men can properly appreciate, grateful to Providence, aud kindly disposed to all men. At midnight, taking advantage of a favourable breeze, we set sail for Usukuma. About three a.m. we were nearly in mid-gulf, and here the fickle wind failed ua after which, as if resolved we should taste to the utmost all its power, it met us with a tempest of hailstones as large as filberts from the north-north-east. The sky was robed in inky black- ness, not a star was visible, vivid lightnings, accom- panied by loud thunder-crashes, and waves which tossed us up and down as though we were im- prisoned in a gourd, lent their terrors to this fearful night. Again we let the boat drift whither it might, as all our efforts to keep on our course were use- less and vain. Indeed, we began to think that the curse of the people of Bambireh, "Go and die in the Niyanza," might be realised after all, though I had much faith in the staunch craft which Messenger of Teddington so conscientiously built. A grey, cheer- less, raw morning dawned at last, and we discovered ourselves to be ten miles north of Rwoma, and twenty miles north-west of Kagehyi, at which latter place my camp was situated. We put forth our best efforts, hoisted sai!, and though the wind was but little in our favour at first, it soon rewarded our perse- verance. and, merrily brushing the tall waves, came bioming astern of us, so that we sailed in triumph nloll'! the well-known shores of Usukuma straight t(, c Snouts of welcome greeted us from shore, when even many miles away but as we drew near the shouts changed to volleys of musketry and waving of flags, and the land seemed alive with leaping forms of glad-hearted men, for we had been fitty-seven days away from our people, and many a false rumour of our deaths, strengthened each day as our absence grew longer, Was now dissipated by the appearance of the Lady Alice skimming joyously to her port of Kagehvi. As the keel grounded, over fifty men bounded to the water, dragged me from the boat, and danced me round camp on their shoulders, amid much laughter, c'appiner of hands, grotesque wriggling of human forms, and Saxon hurrahing. Having vented their gladness, they set me down, and all formed a circle, many deep, to hear the news, which was given with lees detail than I have had the honour to write to you. So ended our exploration of Lake Victoria Niyanza.

FATHER IGNATIUS AT SCARBOROUGH.—The latestnoveltyatthis watering-place is the rev. gentleman who styles himself Father Ignatius (Rev. J. L. Lyne). He preached at the Old Town Hall, morning and evening, on Sunday. There was a numerous attend. ance on each occasion. In the afternoon Father Ignatius preached on "the Scarborough season," taking for his text the words—" When Jesus was come near He beheld the city and wept over it. In hit in. troductory remarks, he acknowledged that he had come to Scarborough to get what money he could, as it was only in summer he could get any there at all. lie earnestly denounced what he regarded as the follies and vices of the season at Scarborough, and assured his hearersthathe knew some sad accounts of the wickedness that was going on there during the summer. He earnestly implored his hearers to use their ntmost en. deavours to overcome the world and to prepare for that mysterious future on which all must enter,