South Wales Daily News

EOERIBLE-DISCOVERY AT LIVERPOOL. A WOMAN AND SIX CHILDREN SUFFOCATED. On Friday, in the upper room of a house, Liver- Pool, 12 feet by six feet, there ware found the dead bodies of a woman and six children, all of whom had been suffocated in the apartment. There was no firegrate,but instead, an old iron pan, wherein there had been a coke fire, was found In the middle of the room. The apartment bore evidence of poverty, and from the fumes of the coke the family are supposed to have been suffo- cated whether accidentally or designedly is not known.

FORTUNE TELLING. [SPECIAL TELEGKA3I.I At Wolverhampton, on Friday, John Wesley, of Walsall-street, was charged with fortune-tel- ling. He told a married woman that her husband Was dead, but this was false. He assured a girl that lie would bring back her sweetheart who had desert. -,] her. The prisoner was sentenced to three months' hard labour.

DaJLL BETWEENTWCSTUDENTS. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] The ihrrhfm, W tekhj Advertiser af Friday night states that a duel between two students of the j^urhain University was fought with pistols on Thursday afternoon. Mr Jennings,^ feeling nRgrieved at some disparaging remarks with xefer- to hiB personal character uttered by Mr Edwards, demanded an apology. Mr Edwards refnsed, and resort was had to duelling. Mr Hey- f^&td and Mr Snepo acting as seconds. After 1*0 rounds were fired Mr Jennings declared that IS honour was satisfied. No serious results followed, and from the nonchalant manner of Iheeacóuds whil.tplacing their men upon the traund we believe none were anticipated,

A LONDON POLICE SERUEANT CHARGED WITH ASSAULT. -A- the Marlborongh-str eet Police-court, on Friday afternoon, Sergeant Winkler, of the C. prvibi .ii, was chafed on a summons with assault- Wig Mr John Balleff, formerly a baillie in Scotland, during disturbances in the Iiaymarket Qn Lord Major's Day. The prosecutor stated that after witnessmg the illuminations in the West End he went into the Criterion Restaurant for refreshment. On leaving the .premises he found the police driving a crowd before them, and be received a kick from (jefendanK Corroborative evidence was given by Mr William Ibompson, who was with prosecutor on the occasion. Mr De Rutzen, without.hearing the evidence for the defence, dismissed the summons.

RAID OU BETTINGMEN AT WARWICK. .T £ LEGBASI.] On Friday, at the Warwick police-court, George Swanwick, of the Queen Caroline, Charlotte- street, Nottingham Wiirn.m Lee, of the Royal Marine Inn, Nottingham; George Wilson, Hollo- J'ay Head, Birmingham; Henry Houghton, London; and Samuel Sykes, Overton-road, Liver- pool, were charged nnder the Betting Act-of 1853 ^vith having kept moveable betting-stands on War- wick racecourse last Tuesday, lhe polioe having disregarded complaint" from the 1 own Council, Mr Gold, of the Market-place, employed persons who betted with the defendants, 7he bench fined each defendant £50, and costs. I he money Wag paid, and Mr Gold intimated that similar prosecutions would be continued.

The Queen arrived at Windsor on Friday morn- ing, about nine o'clock. After three weeks resi- dence there, Her Majesty will leaye to spend Christmas at Osborne. HOI.LOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PILLS.-COD3tant Success-—No diseases nre more tryinc to temper, and more exhausting' to the constitution, than the pains in muscles ami joints caused by exposure to wet or cold, wherever tbc seat oi stifferinir, It will only be necessary to foment the affceied part with warm water, dry tho- 1"oUh]:" and immeliiately rub in Hoilowav's inestimable Ointet-nt to obtain case. Gout, rhcumatism. neuralgia, and tic.d.Jlorenx are soon relieved, and ultimately ou:e:l» by tlie nee of this.uaaqualled Unaruen't, aided by Hoilo, Waj-'s purifying- and aperitlre pms L/nder this judicjOU3 treatment the aiiSictcd parts soon cvase to ache, and 1 shortly regain their niilural sensibility and appearance. '•fhese re.; edies are invaluable for curins: eniiial ail'cc- ttioa aud nervous dissaee3, j

FFROM OOJL OWN COAU'ESPOMOFFISTS, EKDTEB'S A9SK-05T, PEES3 ASSOCIATION, AND EHOTBAL NEWS.[J CQJJJERY SOOSIAN IN AMERICA. 13 PERSONS KILLED. NEW YORK, IViday.—A colliery explosion has occurred at Lullavan Indiana., by which 13 persons were killed.

KEWS FROM" JAPAN. 53 MEN SHOT. YOKOHAMA, Oct. 25th (via San Francisco). —The political situation is uiicliarjged. Sen- tence has been passed upon the mutineers in the artillery and Imperial Guard, 53 of whom have hsen sJioi, 210 others receiving minor sentences. The introduction of foreign capital to aid Japanese industry is advocated by the native journals. The pros- pects of the rice crops are good, and there will be a surplus for exportation.

TROUBLES OF THE ROUMELIAN COMMISSION. PHILIPPOPoLIS, Thursday. — General Todlebenj has left this place. A crowd of Bulgarians, escorted him to the railway station, singiug their National Hymn. The International Commission are at present engaged in elaborating a set 'of rules for the conduct of their debates, hi view of the systematic veto offered ,by tho Russian Com- missioners, which pi-events the Commission from making any progress with their labour?. The telegraph authorities at Ph ilippopolis refuse to accept political telegrams for trans- mission. ————

AUSTRIA, RUSSIA, AND THE BERLIN TREATY. PERTH, Friday.—In to-day's sitting of the Austrian delegation, Count Andrassy, replying to a question, stated that Prince Labanoff ha,d asked tho Porie to con- clude a separate convention respecting the points of the Treaty of San Stefano un- affected by the Berlin Treaty, declaring that Russia would evacuate Eastern Roumelia three months after the conclusion of that convention. Austria, continued Count Andrassy, being asked, by several Govern- imerits what were her views on the subject, declared that such a convention was ex- clusively a Russo-Turkish question. Ar ^regards tlie delay for the evacuation of Eastern RoiTmelia, however, Austria con- isiderecl the Berlin Treaty as binding. Tlio declarations of Russia, said Count Andrassy, were in accordance with this view, and gave a disavowal to Prince Laoonoffs statement respecting the delay for tire evacuation. [Russia :lmd repeatedly, and very recently, omphasized her wish to act in .harmony with the other Powers, and conscientiously carry out the Berlin Treaty, demanding that the Porte should do the same. Count Andrassy added that the attitude of the (Powers appeared to afford good grounds for anticipating that the Porte would carry out the stipulations of the Berlin Treaty.

THE NEW GOYERNOR-GENEBAL OF CANADA. HALIFAX, Thursday.—Sir Patrick Mae- dougall, the acting administrator,entertained His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and a distinguished company of officers and Dominion officials at dinner this evening.

THE DEPRESSION IN TRADE. The'rivetters on strike in the ClydcsùipbuilJing v2.rds have practic.1.11y given in, a number of them åuwing agreed to accept contracts at a reduction cf n per cent. A body of engineers have likewise ncceptcd the masters' terms, and resmncd work, and it is expected that the carpenters and joiners will return to their labours on Monday. The men in other branches compulsorily tin-own idle will again be taken on.

THE COMMERCIAL CRISIS. The failure is announced of Messrs Donner and Brehmer, merchants, London, The liabilities are £ 170,000.. A creditors' petition for the winding up of the Chatterley Iron Company {Limited), tha largest coal and iron pr;-7>rietors in North Staffordshire, hits been filed. The information was received on Friday afternoon in North Staffordshire with great interest. The number of men .employed is very great, and should the works be stopped, even temporarily, the already existing destitution will be lamentably increased. Several of the men are BOW under notice, the presumed object being- a drop in wages.

MISSION TO SEAMEN PENARTH. A meeting was held on Friday at the Town- hall, Cardiff, under the presidency of tlie Rev, Chas. Parsons, M.A., Rector of Penarth, for the purpose of forming a committee and carrying out some details connected with a fine arts exhibition, and also a bazaar, which it was proposed to held in the early part of "1879, to liquidate a debt re- maining on the new building erected at the Penarth Dock.In connection with the Mission to Seamen. There were present Mr R. B. Boyer, Rev. C. E. Pry (chaplain to the mission). Mr Gteden, Mr E. Vachell, Mr G. F. Webb, Mr H. Vellacott, Captain Pengelly, R.N.R. (dock- master, Penarth, hon. sec. to Penarth Mission to Seaman), etc.—The Chairman said that the meet- ing had been called for the purpose of forming a committee to organise a fine art exhibition and bazaar to remove a debt upon the new buildings at the Penarth Dock, which might, he said, at present amount to £201) or £300. It was known that a larger sum was spent upon the building than was at first anticipated, andjthe furniture procured was of a more costly character, Sundry alterations were made as the work progressed, and /improvements "suggested. The original estimate was about £500, but it resulted in the actual cost being over There was therefore a debt of £250 or £300, which it was the ttesh-e of the promoters to remove. To effect I this it was proposed to hold a fine art exhibition and bazaar, at the Cardiff To^n-hall, which had been kindly lent by the Mayor, Mr E. Payne, who was connected with and who carried through 80 success! ully the exhibition that was held at the Drill-hall some year since, and whicwas in aid of the fund for the Infirmary,"had promised to give his assistance to the committee, and he would have been present that morning but he was too unwell to attend. Capt. Pengelly mentioned that he had waited upon Mr Payne that morn- ing, who was ill in bed, and Mr Payne gave him several suggestions to flay before the meeting. Mr Payne was also very will- ing to assist any gentlemen who were appointed ar, a working committee, which he considered was the first step that they had to take. Mr Payne suggested that there should be a small worldn;<- committee, and a larger one that would be useful from their influence and connection. It would I also be necessary to form a guarantee fund. The Mayor had kindly offered tlie use of the assembly- room at' the Town-hall, and the adjoining room for a week, or longer, if desired. After some dis- cussion, the following gentlemen were selected on the working co:r.mitteoRev C. Parsons, Rev C E Fn- Mr II. B. Boyer, Mr E. Payne, Mr E. Yacliell, MrG. P. Adams, Mr Vellacott, Dr Neil, Mr W IWey, Mr G. F. Webb, with pouer to add to their number. # It was also resolved to have two hon. secretaries, both to be elected at the next meeting. It was also resolved to ask Mr B. Payne toaccept the position of ons of the hon. secretaries. Ml- W. S. Ogden was elected hon, treasurer. The meeting was then adjourned I for a week, after the usual votes of thanks had been passed to the chair man and the mayor for the use of the hall.

Owing to the long protracted dulness in the coal and iron trades, and tho unremunerative prices and iron trades, and tho unremunerative prices received, especially for iron, we understand that a c rcular has been forwarded by a number of coal and iron masters in Scotland to various proprie- tors, asking them to consider the advisability of reducing the iordshii^s on these articles. GF-CAuriON.—Messrs RECKITT & SONS beg to Caution the public against imitation square Blue of very inferior quality. The Paris Bine, in squares (used the of Wales' Laundry. Sold in wxajyjere btarnsr tftftir name aud 'IWic ¡Wii

BOMBARDMENT OF ALI MUSJID. -j. AN ARTILLERY COMBAT; ABANBOSMESTOF THE FORT. OUR TROOPS IN POSSESSION. -) DESCRIPTION OTTHE ENGAGE- MENT. PROCLAMATION OF THE VICEROY. REPORTED CAPTUREOF ANOTHER FORT IN THE KOORUM VALLEY. PARLIAMENT TO BE SUMMONED. LONDON, FRIDAY. The second edition of the Daily News publishes a telegram from Jumrood, dated 10.50 this morning. It says that the Afghans abandoned Musjid in the course of the night. Tytier's brigade .having occupied the defile in rear, we took possession this morning without a shot, and dispositions for advancing are now being made. The same correspondent, telegraphing yesterday afternoon.describes the good prac- tice made by the Afghan guns on the advancing British forces. The second edition of the Daily Telegraph contains a telegram from Ali Musjid, dated yesterday, and stating that the British troops had occupied positions in the vicinity of Ali Musjid, and that the Slst Foot and 14th Sikhs were advancing to clear the vil- lages, and to cover the mountain spurs. The Afghans opened an excellent shelliire, but without doing much harm. Thte British -artillery, after finding the range, silenced the Afghan guns, and when the message was despatched, all arms were advamcing,the British, artillery continuing a destructive fire. LAHORE, Friday -morning.—The Peshawar force commenced its advance yesterday morning. General Browne, with the head- quarters and the third brigade, marched direct to the Khyber Pass and occupied the Shajai ridge, meeting with no resistance) on the part of the -enemy. The first and second brigades were seat under Colonel Macphcrson by a wide detour on the right to occupy the Khotas Hill, above Ali Musjid, so as to out off the retreat of the Ali Musjid garrison. The Ameer's troops were strongly posted at Ali Musjid. The British Artillery shelled the place, and the line of troops was extended in order to engage the enemy's attention, the actual attack being delayed to await the arrival of the different columns at their respective destinations. —

THE BRITISH LOSS AT ALI MUSJID. LAHORE, Friday.—The fort of Ali Musjid was abandoned last night by the Afghans, under the cover of tho darknoss, and was occupied by the British troops at daylight this morning. The guns and tents belong- ing to the enemy were captured. The British loss was trifling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGHTING. KIITBEE PASS, Thursday afternoon.—At day- break to-day General Browne stood on the little plaia beyond Jumrood, watching the inarch to ithe front. The aclvanoe guard, under General Appleyurd, firat passed next the wingaf the 14th, the Sikhs, a splendid regiment, then the wing of the 81st Qaeeu's; then two companies of Native Sappers, followed by Mountain Battery and Slanderaon's Horse Artillery. When they had pa-sed the staff trotted to the front. The road is roughish till Shadi Bhugiar Glen is reached it is then easier, especially on General Mackeson's road. A piquet of the enemy's cavalry was visible in front on the top of the Shagai ridge, quite beyond range. The advance guard marched briskly on, and presently crested a height, whence, at ten o'clock, a skirmishing fire was opened on the enemy's piquet. The latter retired after desultory reply. The force pressing on, and occasionally firinc, readied the Shagai ridge, whence Ali MusjM is clearly visible. At 2,500 range, the front was cleared by our skirmishing fire, then the Sikhs went to the right to work round all Ali Musjid, while other detachments operating on the left front, occupied without resistance the village of Lai la Chena, and occupied the tower on the hill beyond. At noon Ali Mosjid fired the firsf shell, which burst in the air. A second, well aimed, flew over the staff on Shagai, and fell, without bursting, be- yond. A long halt was necessary to allow our heavy battery to come up, and the interval was utilised by the Horse Artillery placing guns on the height to our proper right. Ali Musjid Fort replied, and the firing became somewhat brisk. Meanwhile firing was heard to the proper left of Ali Musjid. Some conjectured it was Macpher- son's turning movement on our right corning-into operation but the Afghanis about Ali Musjid held their ground, although thus apparently threatened on their flank as well as in front. Our Horse Artillery was fairly served, but the Afghans replied with spirit from Ali Musjid at first, but afterwards were more silent. At one o'clock the 40-pounders readied the scene and came into action, as also Magennis's 9-pounders. The horse-guns moved off the ridge and gave place to the 9-pounder battery, while the 40-pounders played against the right prolon- gation of the Afehan position. The Afghan guns slowly but steadily replied, making good practice, especially from 7-pounders in the central bastion. About two o'clock two 40-poundor shells crushed into the central bastion of Ali Musjid and crumbled a great portion of it, apparently dismounting the gun which had been so stubborn. Our infantry now moved forward, covered by the artillery fire, and tlie skirmishers began to mount the steep slopes of the Rhotas. On our right the musketry of our turning brigade on the top of the Rhotas was now apparently audible. Soon a^tertwo o'clock the infantry advanced briskly, I he Fourth Brigade took the left slopes of the valley, pressing on through the rocks to- wards All Musjid, while the Tuird Brigade took their right side. When the last rocky ridge on the left slope was crossed, a rocky plateau plain fol- lowed nearly up to the foot of the Ali Musjid roclq and the skirmishers pushed on steadily, firing briskly, and evoking a sharp reply from the enemy, who were studding the rock-strewn slopes. Meanwhile Manderson's battery moving on along the bed of the stream had come into action, Four guns, previously silent, caine again into action, and the enemy developed guns in new places. In view of the expected co-operatpn from two brigades despatched on the turning movement, and the sun setting while a. yet much hda to be done, the operation)) were reluctantly suspended till to-morrow, precautions being taken to protect our positions, and the troops bivouack- ing where they stood on our left. The Third Brigade had gained a position very close to tha right Hank of the Ali Musjid position, and, indeed, were almost within storming dis- tance, General Appleyard was well to the front, and as I send this off at 4 o'clock, there seems every chance that this part of the Ali Musjid position, enfolding the rest, will be taken.—Daily News. ALl MUSJID, Nov. 21.—Last night the Second Brigade of the Khyber Expeditionary Foree, commanded by Sir S. J. Browne, under Colonel Macpherson, consisting of the first battalion of the 17th Poot, the Guides Infantry, the 1st Sikhs, and one mountain battery, left the British camp, taking their road by the pass to the right, and making for Ali tMusjid via Losharoo. About two a'clock this morning the 1st Brigade, under Colonel Tytler, consisting of the 4th Battalion Bide Brigade, the 4th to Ghoorkhas, and the 20th Punjaub Infantry, moved up the Khyber Pass. At six the Third and part of the Fourth Brigades, under General Browne, consisting of the 51st Light Infantry, and the 45th Sikhs, with an elephant battery, and a battery of mounted guns, marched forward to about a mile and three- quarters from Ali Musjid, where a halt was ordered, to allow of the elephant battery of heavy guns to como up and tha brigade uner Colonel Macpherson, operating on the other slopes of the Shagai Hill, to clear the heights of the right commanding our advance. The spot was an undulating plateau, and among the various depressions the Royal Horse Artillery, one squadron of the 10th Hussars, and detachments of the feist 1 OQtand the!4th Sikhs were distributed. ) Oa looking northwards the jagged heights closed nike an ainphitbeatre around our expectant force. I Inc higncst point on a ridge on our extreme left ,1 crowned by a strong fortress garrisoned by Cabul regulars and general militia. Looking westward, beyond a rolling succession of small hills, Ali Musjid wa3 seen, plentifully com- manded upon every side by higher points. "With considerable skill the Ameer's generals had drawn :11inc of fortifications across the Pass, util- ising all the nfitural advantages of the defence with an evidence of judgment and science that wan quite European. Looking south, the mountain range through which lies the Chora pass towered up, thelower spurs held by troops of the Ameer, connected with the main line of batteries by pickets. Immediately below the British position flowed the Khyber river, past the village of Lalla- Cheena and the site of C&vagnari's meeting with Paiz Mahomed. The attack was commenced by our throwing k forward detachuuuita of the Slai Foot and tJ1 14th Sikhs, in skirmishing order, as an advanced guard, to clear the villages and the coYcr on the mountain spurs, whilst our 9-pounder battery too up its position about a mile and three-quairfeers from Ali Musjid. The enemy at once opened an exoellent shell :the upon our men, having previous- ly practised at the same range, every missive slajming through the line of troops, thougli, luckily, without doing much harm. Our artillery, after some random practice, found the right range; and when this message left Ali Musjid had been silenced, all arms were advancing, and our 40- pounders were continuing a destructive and ac- curate fire upon the enemy.—Daily 2.cle;raph.

PROCLAMATION OF THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT. LAHORE, Friday.—The Viceroy's procla- mation, justifying the commencement of hostilities with Afghanistan, has been issued to-day. It recounts the history of the rela- tions between the Indian Government and the Ameer of Afghanistan during the last ten years, and refers to the Umballa visit, and to the assistance which the Ameer lias received from the British Government from tie to time, and points out that the Af- ghans haTe enjoyed the benefits of free trade with India. For all these acts there had bean no return except ill-will and dis- courtesy. The Ameer had also openly and assiduously attempted, both by words and deeds, to stir up religious hatred, and to invite war against the British Empire in India; and although he had repelled all efforts to bring about amicable intercourse with the Indian Government, he, neverthe- less, formally received a Russian Embassy. Finally, while the Russian Embassy was still at Cabul, he forcibly repulsed an English Envoy, of whose coming he had timely notice. Since then all efforts to promote friendly relations had been met with open indignity and defiance. The Ameer, mis- taking for weakness the long forbearance of the British Government, had thus deliber- ately incurred its just resentment. With the Surdars and the people of Afghanistan the Indian Government had no quarrel, as they had given no offence. The independe nee of Afghanistan would be respected, but the Government of India could not tolerate that any other Power should interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. The pro- clamation concludes by placing upon the Ameer, Sheer Ali, alone, the responsibility of having exchanged the friendship for the hostility of the Indian Government.

CAPTURE OF ANOTHER FORT IN THE KOGRUM VA'LLEY. The Standard correspondent states that the Koorum column have occupied Fort Ahmudshaga, about five miles beyond Fort Kapatyanga, without resistance being offered.

REPORTS FOR THE RUSSIAN WAR OFFICE. The Russian Government has arranged for the St Potersburgh War Office to have full re- ports of the operations between England and Afghanistan. ————

REINFORCEMENTS FOR INDIA. The second company of th eBengal Engi- neers, Chatham, have received orders for im- mediate foreign service. Orders were received at Chatham yester- day for the 5th Field Service Company Royal Engineers to be held in readiness for foreign service, and the vacancies in the company will be immediately filled up by transfers from other companies.

PARLIAMENT TO BE SUMMONED. We (the Central News) are authorised to state that at the meeting of the Cabinet Council yesterday it was resolved to adviss Her Majesty to summon Parliament to assemble forthwith. Lord Beaconsfield instantly proceeded to a special audience with the Queen, whose orders were taken by the Premier, and a proclamation will be issued for the meeting of both Houses about the 10th of next month. The Press Association is enabled to an- nounce that parliament will be summoned to meet on Thursday, the 5th of December. This is official.

COUNT SCEOUVALOFF. We learn that Count Schouvaioff returns as ambassador to the Court of St. James's, permanently.

MILITARY BALLOONING. The East Sussex Mews states that Mr Cox- well, the aeronaut, is preparing six large balloons for military purposes. He has taken premises at Seaford to carry out the work of preparation.

OPINION IN THE COUNTRY. A stormy town's meeting at Manchester on Friday passed a resolution protesting against war with Afghanistan without consulting Parliament. An amendment condemning the factious opposition of the Radicals was lost by a large majority. •

THE AFGHAN COMMITTEE. I The executive of the Afghan Committee 1 met on Friday, and passed the following resolutions, That this committee records its satisfaction at the very influential and wide-spread support which has been given to the memorial to Lord Beaconsfield." That it deeply deplores the commencement of hostilities upon grounds which are not sufficiently justified by the information at present before the country." That the committee be now organised on a permanent basis, and that a sub-committee bo appointed to draw up for publication a statement of its views upon the policy of the Government." LETTER FROM 1\IR GLADSTONE. Mr Gladstone has written the following letter to the hon. secretary of the Afghan Committee. Hawarden, Nov. 21. "1vIy DEAR SIR,—I am engaged to speak at Greenwich on the 30th inst., and shall then have an opportunity of saying in regard to Afghanistan what may be required. I am anxious to construe rightly the reply of the Government to Lord Lawrence's application. As I understand it, they mean, if there is war, to begin it without taking any steps to ascertain the views of ^Parliament, which will, as here- tofore, ba asked to pay the bill, to pay in whole or in part. In the meantime the war will be made with Indian money and Indian troops. The Act of 1858 is again, as 1 consider, broken and trodden under foot. Its-object was to deprive governments of that meaus of evading the con- stitutional control of Parliament ■ which the Indian treasury and troops afforded them by such a proceeding as I describe. That object will be entirely defeated. Lord Lawrence was, I doubt not, prepared for the savage attacks made upon him by partisans of the policy he has so patrioti- cally resisted.—I remain, &0. W. E. GLADSTONE."

NEWS FROM THE BRITISH CAMPS. THE ROUTE UP THE KBTDER. A Daily News correspondent sends the follo-ving letters from J umrooil, dated Wednesday:—"To- night sees the concentration of General Browne's force complete here. We are anxiously awaiting permission to enter the Pass to-morrow. Supplies for 7,000 troops and 11,000 camp followers for 21 days have been accumulated here, but only seven days supplies will immediately follow the troops, in two successive convoys of respectively three and four days. The force in addi- tion carries in rations for three days sufficient to see it through the passes to Dalcira, until which point the re- sources of the supply column will not avail, and bivouacking will be compulsory. The actual combatant force is about 6,000, comprising four infantry and one cavalry brigades, and five batteries of artillery. The route of the main advance will follow Pollock's footsteps up the Shadi Bhugiar Pass, the opening of which is about three miles due west of Jumrood. The stream at Lall Chena, a, distance of six miles, presents no physical obstacles, and no opposition is anticipated, the hill tribes being friendly, even co-operative. Just before, the Lall Chena Koad crosses a low ridge, called Shagai, from the crest:of which artillery can play on Ali Musjid, the range being 2,500 yards. The follow- iug- is the probable course of operations —Above Ali Musjid is a defile, one and a half mile long, constituting the only retreat! from Ali Musjid for guns and the garrison, and terminating at a, point named Keslnk- hesta. There ia a double advantage in the tianely seizure of this point, viz., to intercept the Afghan retreat and secure the passage of this difficult defile. With this object General Browne details his first and second brigades under General Macpherson, each brigade linving a mountain battery attached. On the morning of opera- tions General Macpherson will march some hours before daybreak to accomplish this important turning movement. Heading first northward on the plain, and turning thus the impracticable face of the Mydanuk hill, he strikes into the moun- tains at Lashora, and., following the hill-path, as- certained to be practicable, reaches a point called Snppri, on the northern side of the summit of the Rhotas Hill. Here he detaches to the left Tytler's brigade, whose task is first to carry the summit of the Rhotas, where the Afghans have a detachment with five guns, i und then follow the shoulder of the K!iotas to a position opposite Ali Musjid, whence his artillery can enfilade its defences, while his infantry, scrambling down the slopes into the bed of the stream Wilis their fire to tear on the left think scrambling down the slopes into the bed of the stream Wilis their fire to tear on the left think of the AU Musjid deEencea, sad take in reverse the Afghan advanced battery lower down the bed of the stream. Meanwhile General Macpherson, with the second brigade, heads straight from Suppri on Keshikheata, which point, it is hoped, will be reached in time to intercept the garrison driven from Ali Musjid by the direct attack delivered in front by General Browae's other two brigades, WfløAe operations I now proceed to outline. Their march will de delayed so as to give (general Macpherson several hours' start, jhe having a thirteen miles' march over diflioult ground. The mouth of the Shadi Bhugiar Pass once entered, the infantry advancing in loose order over the intervening low hills will crown the Shagai ridge, -when a forty-pounder battery will iaimediati ly be dragged to its crest, and open fire on Ali Musjid. While big shells are crashing into Ali Musjid, the horse artillery battery will descend the reverse slope of the Shagai, cross the Khybr stream at Lall Chena, and, surmounting the rising gronnd of the right bank, come into enfilading action against the Afghan advanced battery in the bed of the stream. The after operations turn on the duration and stand the garrison of All Musjid makes against this over- whelming force. After its capture the troops will bivouac for the night on the LaIlChena level. AWAITING THE ORDER TO ADVANCE. The Standard correspondent, at the same camp, writes on Thursday:—The advance up the Khyber Pass commenced before daybreak to-day. Yes- terday all the troops intended for the advance were collected around Jumrood. The greatest ex- citement reigned throughout the day among the Native troops, as well as the Europeans, as all are weary with their long inaction, and are eager for the advance. Several times during the day a false alarm was raised that horse.i.eu were coming down through the Pass, and as this was the last day of grace for the Ameer it was each time supposed that the answer was at length -about to arrive. Each ^time, however, the horsemen proved to be far distant Afghan scouts. As evening approached orders were issued for the troops to assemble before daylight, but even up to the very hour when the forward movement commenced there was no fee-ling of certainty among the officers, as it was possible that at any moment counter orders might arrive from the Home Government. The Native troops were delighted at the prospect of an advance, and their camps were alive till a late hour with parties of men squatting round fires, cooking and talking. The night set in clear and cold, and by ten o'clock all was still. Three hours later movements began in the camps of the Native regiments, and the little cooking fires were aglow. PKOBABLK MOVEMENTS OF THE THllEE BRITISH COLUMNS. The following is from the Standard corre- spondent at Lahore :—If the assault upon Ali Musjidig successful, and there is no great delay, the advanced brigade will press forwards and encamp to-night atLundi Iúna, beyond Lalachina, and virtually outside the debouchure of the Pass. As this place, however, is over 20 miles from J umrcocf, it is doubtful whether the troopsvwill, in any case, arrive there. It is intended that the advance will only be pushed forwerd as far as Dakka, a place close to Lalpura. The possession of this place will render an advance in the spring upon Jellalabad easy. At Dakka one brigade will entrench itself and remain till the spring. The alliance of all the Khyberee and Momund tribes has been gained by the promise of restoring the old system of subsidies. This worked well for years, but was stopped by the Ameer, who feared that it would weaken his hold over the border tribes. A strong police force will be formed from among these tribes for the purpose of keeping open the Khyber Pass during the winter, and of rendering the communications of the force at Dakka with its base at Jumrood safe and easy. The Khurum Valley column also moved at day- break. They will advance to the head of the val- ley, dislodging any Afghan garrisons in the forts by the way, and clearing the Shaturgaxdan Pass. They will then encamD and occupy the valley during the winter. The Quettah column marched forward early this morning. They will march to Pisheen, an im- portant town in thef valley of the same name. This is two marches distant from Quettah. Here the force will remain until General Stewart comes up with the troops now on the road to Quettah. Pisheen lies in the centre of a rich and cultivated district, and it is expected that large supplies can be obtained here. Upon General Stewart's arrival with his forces at Pisheen, the advance will be continued to Candahar, which will be occupied and held for the winter. As to the Khurum valley, an Afghan garrison is said to be at Peiwar. The headmen of the clans at the lower end of the Khurum Valley have come in to-day, and have arranged with General Roberts to furnish fodder and supplies.

THE FORESTOFDEAN COAL TRADE. The house coal trade in the Forest of Dean main- tains an improvement, and the demand for other classes is equally "brisk. Notwithstanding the present lowness of quotations for steam coJ- these being on a par with those of 1870—a further reduction is pressed for, although not likely to be acceded to.

GERMAN COMPEFFFROJT IN DEAN FOREST. At the Forest Vale forges, Cinderford, trade has falit-n off very much of late, and both the flro- l prietor, Mr ilussell, as well as the workmen, com- plain of the bad times. The chief product of these forces is iron wire, and a considerable busi- ness has been done on American account. Re- cently however, competition has arisen from Ger- Iluny, and it is stated, on good authority, that the makers in that country are enabled to deliver iron wire at Liverpool so much bslow Forest prices as to command both American as well as English markets.

VISIT OFIIR VIVIAN~H.P., TO PONTYPRIDD. A meeting of the Pontypridd Debating Society was held at the Assembly-rooms, Butcher's Arms, on Thursday evening, Mr A. A. McLucas in the chair. A letter was received from Mr Vivian, I M.P., promising to deliver a lecture on "America," at Pontypridd, on December 4th. No doubt the honourable member will receive a hearty welcome from his constituents at this end of the county.

PRESENTATION ATCARDIFF. On Friday evening a number of members of the Cardiff and Caerphilly district of the M.U. Phil- anthropie.;Instit«tion met at the Moira Hotel, Adamsdown, for the purpose of presenting Mr Titus Llewellyn, the late corresponding secretary of the district, witn a testimonial as a mark of their appreciation of his services in the discharge of the onerous duties that fell upon him. Mr Lieweilyn became the corresponding secretary of the district when the lodges separated from those in the Western Valley. The lodges in the Cardiff and Caerphilly district increased considerably, and the number of members increased also. At the last meeting of the A.M.C-, at Cardiff, it was resolved to separate the Cardiff from the Caer- philly district, Mr J. H. Phillips becoming the hon. secretary for the new district, and at the next meeting the members expressed their desire to acknowledge in some way the valu- able services which Mr Llewellyn had rendered to their order, and Mr Phillips undertook the task of communicating with the several lodges of the district. gThe members and their friends rewily responded, a considerable sum was realised, and in accordance with the wish of Mr Llewellyn, the committee purchased a piano with the amount raised. The instrument waa selected by Mr Brinley Richards, and is one of Metzler's splendid trichords, in handsome walnut case, and fitted up with the latest improvements. It has a rich, full tone. After a cold collation had been supplied to the members and friends present, Mr Bowen, the grand master of the union, took the chair, and Mr Wiiliams, Merthyr, the treasurer of the district, the vice. The Chairman, in referring to the object of their meeting that evening, said be had fcome to Cardiff that evening simply to show his sympathy and respect for their esteemed friend Brother Llewellyn. It was the first gather- in of the kind at which their members had shown their appreciation of the labours of their officials. It was, he hoped, but the prelude of many others of a similar character, A number of preliminary toasts were given by the chairman, Mr Bees Enoch responding to The Trade And Commerce of Cardiff." "Success to the Merthyr Unity of the Philanthropic Society" was responded to by Mr C. Llewellyn and Mr Wiiliams. Success to the Cardiff District" was responded to by Mr Podesta and Mr 'Williams. The] Chairman then proceeded to present Mr Llewellyn with the testimonial. He referred not only to the great interest which Mr Llewellyn had taken in the proceedings of their society, but also the general interest which he took iu the im- provement of the working aud artisan classes. From liis first connection with their institution he had been very zealous in inducing parsons with whom he was in the habit of associating to be- coma members, either of their own institution or some other friendly society. Mr Llewellvn's nominations could be reckoned, not by dozens, but by hundreds, and if, as has been allowed, that every member made could be multiplied by five, they might be indebted to him for increasing their number 500 members. It was to his energy and to his good examplo that much of their success was due, and it was only a just re- ward of the services he had rendered them that the members should express their appreciation of his labours in some more tangible form than words. Mr Rhino, the Chairman of the High Mead Lodge, spoke in great praise of Mr Llewellyn's official labours. A number of englynion, from local bards, specially written for the event, were read by two or three members. There were all highly complimentary to Mr Llewellyn. r Phillips, the hon. sec. of the Cardiff District, presented Mr Llewellyn with the key of the piano, and hoped he would long live to listen to the strains of the instrument when brought out by some of the members of his family. The health of Mr Llewellvn was drunk with loud cheers. Mr Llewellyn replied. lie thanked them sincerely for the handsome testimonial they had presented to him that evening. The district, he said, at first, numbered only 400 members, but last year it numbered about 2,000. Other toasts were given, songs sung, and during the evening a brilliant selection of pianoforte music was given by the daughter of the landlady of the Hotel. The whole proceedings were most enthusiastic.

A Paris telegram says the suit brought by the ex-Empress Eugenie against the State for the re- storation of works of art and other property. "ROGERS' BRISTOL CSLEBEATSD BITTBR AK Is and other ALES- are to be obtained on the shortest notice from the AGKNT AT CARDIFF, GEOME THOMAS, 9, Vr'ORKINA- STREET; the Agenta at Newport., J. V or A L.- STRSET or tiM Ayent at Chflprtcwr, J. 4v. TOAWWA, 2% S'r. MARY-STIISET. Those A!es-»rohSg'aiy roOoniiaaiifiod by medical men ae suitable for ialmlids. 89087 WORTH KNOWING. — The Medical Tonxnals highly recommend "Davras' Alkaline Saline," owing-to its superior propertias of becoming aikalmo durinaj eSerrcseence, which render it unrivalled for Bilious Cunstrtutiews, Indigestion, constipation, and nnpuritros of tlie Sliwi. Ju. pcWog ls and. Vnier ef Cfcesiisfej. Cunstrtutiews, Indigestion, constipation, and nnpuritros of tlie Sliwi. Ju. pcWog ls and. 3e. Vnier 01 Chemist3. \:&4.

MR-RICHARD, M.P., ON THE AFGHAN QUESTION. THE HISTORY OF BRITISH BLUNDERING IN AFGHAN, THE WAR DENOUNCED AS UNJUST. VOTE OF CENSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT. MEETING AT "MOUNTAIN ASH. lBY OUR OWN BEPOKTER.1 The Workman's Hall, Mountain Ash. was crowded to excess on Thursday night, to hear an address from Mr H. Bichard, M.P. Upon the arrival of the hon. member and Mrs Richard, accompanied by Mr D. Davis, Miss Davis, and Mr T. Bahington Jones, there was loud and long continued eheeriag. Supporting the hon. member and party on the platform were the Revs. J. Howell, D. Llewellyn, aud William Williams, and Messrs John Griffiths, Thomas Edwards, William Bevan, &c., &c. On the proposition of Mr T. EDWAHDS, Mr D. Davis, Maesyfivnon, was voted to the chair, which he took amidst much cheering. The CHAIKIIAX, speaking in Welsh, said he did not come down to take the chair that evening, but rather as the friend of Mr Richard. It would be neither wise nor discreet on his part to take up their time with any speech, as they had come there to hear their honourable and popular member. This was his first meeting in the parish of Aberdare, and as Mr Richard had so many important subjects to dis- cuss they should give him the whole of their time. He was glad that there was such a large meeting, and he was sure they would be pleased to hear Mr Bichard, who he would now call upon to address them. Mr RICHARD, who was well received, said a few words in Welsh, referring to some of the measures which had been passed in the past session. He afterwards said Well, now I tura to my English friends. I have been telling my countrymen whatwe haveSbeen doing during the last session of Parliament. I will not go over and enumerate the measures we have passed. I shall be content with merely say- ing that we have done very little that is of much value in the way of legislation. This is one of the manifold evils ot a turbulent foreign policy, for it distracts attention from necessary and useful domestic legislation, and renders all progress all but impossible. Indeed, there are clear indications that in past times rulers have purposely adopted such a policy as that in order to prevent attention being directed to the state of their domestic affairs. Shakespeare represents one of our kings, who, according to his own con- fession on his deathbed, bad acquired the crown by bye-paths and indirect crocked ways, recommending his son to pursue the same; policy to "bury giddy minds with foreign quarrel, lest rest aud lying still might make men look too] near into my state." Perhaps the dreariest period in this country's history was during the great war with Prance, for not only was there then no progress, but fearful reaction of liberty—liberty of speaking, but liberty of the press was almost put an end to during that time. Allison, the historian, who was quite candid, says that one of the objects which! statesmen of that day had in plunging the country into war with France, was to divert the people from the cry which had begun to be raised for a Reformed Par- liament and you may depend upon it that if the people who are at the helm of affairs now rest there long, we may bid farewell to any prospect of an improvement in our domes- tic legislation. (Cheers.) I am going to speak to-night about a matter which is occupying at- tention, and occasioning the deepest anxiety to the country at large at this moment. I mean the question of the projected war with Afghanistan. I am afraid I cannot say any longer the pAjected war,for I have just received this telegram Bri- tish troops have advanced in the Khurum Valley and taken a fort," so we are actually at war with Afghanistan. I should like to give you. if you will bear with me, a history of our relations with the country of Afghanistan. About the year 1836 there arose wide, wild, and vague alarms in India, such as have circulated there many times since, about the progress of Rassia. in Central Asia. With some confused and indefinite notion of matching and counteracting Russian influence in that region, Lord Auckland, who at that time was Governor-General of India, sent a gentleman of the name of Burnes, who afterwards became Sir Alexander Burnes, to Afghanistan, as his minister. According to that miserable system of dissimulation and hypocrisy which prevails in our diplomacy, he was sent under the pretence of being a comn,ercial agent, although he was, in fact, a political agent. Well, he was received hy the Ameer of Afghanistan with the most pcrfccfc cordiality, and that ruler displayed the most eager anxiety to enter into peaceful and friendiy relations with the British Government. Bnt our Government seems to have had no definite policy at all—(applause)—except the intention of checkm ating Russia in some vague fashion, no that Mr Burnes had no instructions as to what he should do, and when he came into conference with the Ameer he would promise him nothing, ho would give no counsel, he would give no help, although the Ameer was at that time under great embarrassment. While this was going on, another actor appeared on the scene, in the person of a Russian gentleman, who was also pretending to be a commercial gentleman. When the coining of this gentleman was announced, Dost Mahomed—that was the namoof the King of Afghanistan at tliat^time—was desirous of refusing to receive him, because be said he wanted no alliance with any Power except the British Gov- ernment. But Mr Burnes recommended hiill to receive this person, who represented himself as an .agent from Russia. Well, then, after that the Ameer crave the preference entirely to the British agent. He made many applications through him to the Governor-General with the view of coming to an understanding, to enter into an alliance; but, as I said before, the Government seemed to h&ve no policy—at least, the Ameer turned and received the favourable overtures that were made to him by the Russian agent. But even then he did nothing in the slightest degree betraying hostility towards the British Govern- ment. He merely accepted the proffers that were made him of guidance and help from those who offered thera, when we had refused the offer of the same to him. Well, now, what did we do in that case ? The Government of India determined that the Ameer of Afghanistan must be punished severely. And for what ? Fornothing,except that',he" had received with courtesy, a gentleman sentlhim by the Russian Government. Nothing else. Because all the letters of Sir Alexander Burnes go to show that there was nothing nearer the heart of the Ameer than to be on good terms, to form an intimate and friendly alliance with the British Government, aud yet they determined to attack him Well, how M as that done ? There happened to be living at that time iu the British territories in India an old man of the name of Shah Sooja.1r. He had been Ameer of Afghanis- tan, but he had ruled so badly that his subjects had twice refused him, had twice expelled him from the country. Bit Lord Auckland W;13 suddenly smitten with zeal for the legitimate rights of Shah Soojah, and he determined to make MIll his puppet. He gathered together a large ar-my, and invaded Afghanistan. He met Dost Mahomed in battle, and vanquished him, and now he took this poor puppet king. who had been twice sent out of his country by his sub- jects, and by the British army and British gold he installed him in authority over them again. (Loud cries of shame.) Shah Soojah was carried in triumph to Cabnl, but it was observed that though there was great military pomp and array by the British army, there was sullen silence among the population. The Government of India thought they had accomplished a great triumph. They were rewarded with titles from Lord Auckland, downward, to the humblest agent amongst them, almost. But the people of Afghanistan, although our agent there. Sir Alexander Ma cX aughto n, scattered gold amongst them, refused to be bribed into receiving from the hands of an alien power a man as their king whom they had before re- jected with scorn. (Loud cheers.) Then came a miserable history. The British power in Afghan- istan was surrounded by the chiefs, and at last they told them that they had better return to India. Unhappily Sir Alexander Mac Naughton, in the extremity of distress, commenced to in- trigue with two or three different parties there. Money was offered as the price of the heads of some of the chiefs. {Cries of shame.) This, of course, tended deeply to exasperate the Afghans, and as the British force was returning to India, they fell upon them in what was known as the Khyber Pass, and out of 4,500 British soldiers and about 8.000 or 10,000 camp followers, only one J man reached India alive. (Cries of shame.) Well, now, I will not pronounce any < judgment upon this transaction, but I will give the words of an eminent man, who wrote the his- tory of that country, Sir J. W. Kaye, himself a distinguished servant of the Indian Government. These are his words, and. I beg you will gtve your attention to them, "It would be troprofitable to enter into 3,11. inquiry regarding the minute details of misdirection and mismanagement, making up the great sum of human folly which was the per- ( mitted means of our overthrow. In the pages of a heathen writer, over such a. story as this, ( would be cast the shadow of a tremendous Neme- sis. The Christian historian uses other words, but the same prevailing idea runs like a great river through his narrative, aud the reader recognises the one great truth, that the wisdom of our states- men is but foolishness, and the might of OUT arwiies is -but weafoiese, when the curse of God is silting heavily upon an unholy cause. The Lord God of rccompsmss will surely requite. But the story does not end here. Some of our countrymen were left in Afghanistan as prisoners and hostages. It was quite right of course that efforts should be made to rescue them. I have no doubt that that could be accomplished by negotia- tion. That was not done, however. It was thought necessary to go into Afghanistan and make a, war of revenge to re-establish our military prestige. Accordingly they invaded Afghanistan again. I have read the story, and I must say that! our soldiers committed such a carnival of cruelty and desolation on the occasion as is rarely to be met with in the history of the world. (Cheers.) They sacked towns, burned villages they pillaged the peasantry, destroyed tho standing crops; they cut up all fruit trees — the pine, ( the mulberry, the pomegranate, the peach, the apple and pear trees which formed a great part of the food of the inhabitants, while in battle and sacking of towns everybody was given over to the sword, I am quoting now from the words of one of the very officers that was engaged in this I transaction. "Not a living soul was spared, I whether armed or unarmed, the men were hunted down like wild beasts not a prisoner was taken, mercy was never dreamt of. All the bitterness of hatred was shown by the soldiers, both European end uative; wheuever an AifiUaii body was fOWld. the Sepoy set fire to his clothes, that the curse of a burnt father might attach to his children. It is said, indeed, that the wounded when found alive were in this manner roasted to death. (Cries of Sli-ame.") In view of all that, I ask you two questions. Is there any just ground for astonishment or. indignation, 'if the Afghans, after this experience which they had had, should not show any great alacrity for be- coming nearer neighbours to us. Then secondly, I would ask you, is it a thing to be desired by a Christian nation, by another wanton invasion of the country, to provoke such resistance on the part of the inhabitants—for they will resist depend upon it-a to render it necessary to send out our soldiers to repeat the diabolical work I have just described. That is not all. Our Government at home had to meet Parliament in regard to this business, and the only possible way in which they could defend themselves was by showing that Dost Mahomed, the Ameer of Afghanistan, was the settled enemy of British power, and as I told you before, all the dispatches of Sir Alexander Burnes, during all the months he was there, proved to the contrary—first, that he himself had been received with distinguished marks of honour and confidence by the Aiiieer, and that there was nothing so near his heart as to enter into friendly alliance with the British Government. Well, what was to be doi,.c in that case ? It is hardly credible, but indeed perfectly true, that somebody took these dispatches of Sir Alexander Burnes, and it must have been some one high in office, for no subordinate, would dare do it, nor would he have any motive—someone at the Foreign Office took these dispatches in hand, and so mutilated and falsified them as to make them represent in every instance in which t ,t,ey re- ferred to Dost Mahomed, the very reverse of what they were intended to represent. Whole para- graphs were omitted, passages were cut out, other passages were inserted, and, as Mr Bright said in the Rouse of Commons, the minister, whoever he was, "oifiired to the House of Commons mutilated, false, forged dispatches and opinions of a public servant who lost his life in the public service," and, to use the stronger language of Sir J. W. Kaye, The character of Dost Mahomed was lied away the character of Sir Alexander Burnes was lied away." (Cries of shame.) Well, now I want to point out to you various eminent points of resemblance between that war and the present state of things. That war sprung, aa this springs, from a frantic fear of Russia, which proved in that case to be a pure phantom, as it is very likely to prove in this case. That war was urged on by two men—Lord Palmerston and Lord Auckland—the latter galvanised by the former. -(Iau.-litei-)-and urged on without the know- ledge or against the judgment of almost every in- dividual 8cuteslllan of the time. Well this work is promoted by two men—Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Lytton-the latter inspired by the former. And, here again, the resemblance holds good, for not only Lord Lawrence, but Lord Northbrook, Sir Charles Trevelyan, Sir John Adyl, Mr Samuel Laing, and Mr Massey,all of them gentlemen who have held high offices in India, are well ac- quainted with the subject and with the country, have pronounced against it and not only so, but it is understood that almost every man of con- sideration and rank in this country connected with the Indian service, including nearly all tho mem- bers of the Council of Iudia, are dead against the ild projects of Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Lytton. (Loud cheers.) There is the same mystery and concealment of facts here. There was a secret treaty made with,Shah Soojah which' was kept back m|lS3Q. And so the result of the conference between Sir Lewis Pelly and the official of, Shere Ali, has been obstinately kept back until to-day. The public at L home was misled and inflamed by reckless distor- tion of the truth,by furious abuse of the rulers of Afghanistan iii.1838, just as it has been in 1878. And it seems by to-day's papers that we are now, as then, to show the same headlong persistence in a course condemned by reason, by justice, and by the highest authorities in the land, so that we are in danger again of, in the solemn words of Sir J. W. Kaye I read to you, "the curse of God setting heavily on an unholy cause," Well, new I will pursue the history a little further. After the first invasion of Afghanistan, and after this country had had the revenge which I have described to you. Lord Ellenborough, who succeeded Lord Auckland as Governor-General of India, issued a proclamation telling the people of Afghanistan that they were quite at liberty to choose their oim riders. And then he put this in his declaration. "To force a sovereign upon a reluctant people would be as inconsistent with the policy as it is with the principles of the British Government." Just the very thing we had been doing. In the year 1855 Dost Mahomed made friendly overtures to the Indian Government, Sir John Lawrence, now Lord Lawrence, who was then Chief Commis- sioner of the Punjaub, entered into a treaty of perpetual peace and friendship. In this treaty- I am using the very words-we" engaged to res- pect those territories of Afghanistan now in his Highness's possesson, and never to interfere with them," and he engaged to respect our territories, and never to interfere" ith them. Well, hew have the rulers of Afghanistan observed their part of the treaty? In a manner perfectly unexcep- tionable. (Applause.) Nobody pretends that the Ameer has ever, in any way, invaded, molested, or threatened our territories in Indiq.i More than that, Dost '-Mahomed gave us signal evidence of his fidelity. As I have told you, the treaty was made with him in 1855. In 1857 a mutiny broke cut. You know what a terrible time it was. The people of Afghanistan clamoured to be led down the passes, that they might join the mutinous Sepoys in extsivninating the infidel English. How did Dost Mahomed behave then? I will tell you in the words of Mr Dunlop, speaking in the House of Commons in the year 18G1— "When our empire in India was tottering, Dost Mahomed might have avenged himself by merely gathering troops in Cabul, and so creating an alarm which would have prevented Sir John Lawrence sending reinforcements to Delhi, and thus have imposed on us the necessity of re-con- quering India. But he abstained from taking such a step, thus contrasting the noble conduct of a Mahometan chief with the tortuous policy of a so-called Christian State." (Cheers.) In 1863 Dost Mahomed died. It seems that in Mahome- dan countries no great respect is shown to the doctrine of of primogeniture. Instead of devolv- ing empire or inheritance upon the eldest son, they devolve it upon the one they think the fittest, and, in accordance with that rule, Dost Mahomed passed over two elder sons, and nomi- nated SherE: Ali, who is now ruler of that country. It is very unfortunate that though we entered into a treaty with Dost Maho- met and his heirs, yet six months were allowed to elapse before our country recognised Shere Ali as successor to his father's throne. It does seem that there was a motive in this to encourage the brothers to conspire rebel: at any rate they did con- spire and rebel, and there was civil war for four and a-half years. During that time Shere All and his brothers in fact asked the Indian Govern- ment to render them assistance on the one side or the other, but this 'was refused for Lord Law- rence who was then Governor-General, had de. liberately adopted a policy of non-intervention, and thought that any meddling on bis part in the domestic quarrels in Afghanistan might involve this country in serious responsibility and compli- cation. Now Tory writers in the Press, I see, are trying to fix upon Lord Lawrence the responsi- bility of the present state of things, because lie abstained upon that occasion from helping Shere Ali. Well, the answer to that is perfectly simple. It is 20 years since those transactions took place. During Kthe vice-royalty of Lord Lawrence, Lord Mayo, and Lord Northbrook, there was no serious trouble in our relations with Afghauistan. Well, Lord Lytton succeeded to the vice-royalty of India, in" the year 1876, and that was the .begin- ning of troubles. Tiie first thing he did was this —Belochistan is a country that lies adjacent to Afghanistan. Now, Lord Northbrook "had re- fused to send an armed force to this country of Belochistan, "because—I use ibis own words-it might have the effect of raising «wapxcions in Afghanistan as to our intentions." But the very first thing that Lord Lytton did after, bis arrival was to send an armea force to Quettah, which is that part of Belochistan which is nearest to the frontier of Afghanistan, and. on the high-road to Candahar and Herat, the two principal towns or cities of the country. Had the Ameer any right to be alarmed or offended at this act of ours. According to a high authority, Lord Lawrence says:—" The occupation of Quettah was a direct challenge to the Afghans, and an exceedingly unwise step if we desired to cultivate frieudly relations with them." And mark this, this was a direct and pointed reversal of the policy c*t Lord Northbrook that had been the rule for over six years, by a man who had not been six months in India before he did it. Immediately came that mysterieus mission of Sir Lewis Pelly to Peshawur. The Ameer of Afghanistan sent his Prime Minister in order to confer with him, and it < appears now, by the dispatches published in to-day s < papers—theyfreveal what lias been kept back for months and for years, for this is the system of the Government to throw contempt upon the House of Commons-upon the people—by doing things underhand, after witnolding from them informa- tion which they have the amplest right to possess -it appears now, I say, that the ob. ject of this mission of Sir Lewis l)elly i was to demand from the Ameer the admission of British agents to reside, not only at Cabul, but in other parts of the dominions. It does not appear by the dispatches in to-day's papers that this was finally refused. When the conference was going on, the official who represen- ted Shere Ali suddenly died, and then the Governor-General thought fit to break np the con- feence, and to recall Sir Lewis Pelly. Now, the one thing which the rulers of Afghanistan have stead- fastly refused from the time ot the war of 1838-9 ii, to admit British agents into the country. Dost Ma- homed steadfastly refused it throughout the whole of his reign, Shere Ali had refused it to Lord Lawrence, to Lord Mayo, to Lord Northbrook, and that eminent Indian statesman ad- vised the Government not to attempt to force a British agent upon Afghanistan. What was the reason of this objection ? I will toll you. I have described what took place between the years 1838 and 1841. That invasion of Afghanistan, that terrific war caused havoc and desolation which with regard to our army realized the words of Scripture, "The country before them was as a I garden of the Lord, and behind them a.9 a desolate wilderness." Before that took place, the Governor-General r of India had sent an agent to the country professing to be a friendly agent. They re membered that, and therefore it is that both Dost Mahomed and Shere Ali have told the Indian Government that they object to receive a British agent, because so great is the jealousy of the Afghans after what was experienced, that they could not answer for his safety. And not only so, but Shere Ali knows the hislorv of India-, and lie knows this very well, that this is the regu- lar process by which native states are annexed, absorbed, by the Indian Government, Pirst of all they send an agent, a resident to dwell at the court of the prince, and he gradually interferes and meddles in all the administration, until the prince rebels against his intrusion, and then the Indian Government annexes. (A laugh.) That has been the regular process, and he is not there- fore willing to allow an agent to enter his c-mntry, knowing what it may lead to. I think he is wise. Weil now, after the Ameer refused the Governor- General admission to his agent, he determined to | force one upon him, and he sent an agent, with a I force of a thousand men, who was met by a rep- I resentative of the Aiacer. You remember, manv resentative of the Ameer. You remember, manv of you, the firstaccount that reached this country of the transaction. We were told that Major Cavagnari, the British ofjScer, had been treated with gross insults and menacing threats. That set the Jingoes" all agoing, of course. (Laugh- ter.) It waked up the British lion, lie roared and lashed his tail, but then it turned out afterwards to be a p':re lie. (Cries of Shame.") When the intelligence came from General Cavagnari, who was himself an offiaS- employed by the Governor- General, it turned out that not only was lie not treated with insnlt, but that in fact lie was treated with every possible respect and courtesy. The representative of the Ameer declined, and declined firmly, but iu a manner so courteous that we are told Major Cavagnari, in parting, thanked him and "shook hands with him, with mauy expres- sions of friendship." That was lie the first. And now here comes another. I should tell you that the Governor-General had sent a native agent to the Ameer of Afghanistan to ask permission to send a British agent. But before he could receive a reply, this armed expedition was sent. How- t ever, the reply came through the medium of this Indian agent, whose name was Nanah Gholam. What was the representation given to us of tho answer? Here again we were told that it was an answer full of daring defiance, the most impertinent communication addressed to the British Power since the days of Tippoo Sahib." Now one of two things must be true. The men who sent these representations either knew or did not know what was the answer of Shere Ali. If they did know, why did they not send us a correct copy,so that we might judge for ourselves, instead of trusting to their representations? If they did not know, is it not clear that they evolved the answer out of their inner egnsciousness-a conjec- tural version intended to pois the public mind of this country for mark, there is anotlier|version of the words of Sheie Ali, and here they tre. He said lie had been anxious for the friendship of the British Government, but that of late years their policy had been changeable; that Lord Mayo had pursued one policy, and Lord Lytton another and that each new Viceroy reversed all that had been done by his predecessor. He is open to make a new treaty, he said, not being bound by any RUSilian Alliance, and explains that the Russian Embassy was not invited by him to C-abul amd Lord Northbrook says wo knew the Ameer tried to prevent it That is lie the second. We were plied with alarming re- ports as to the military preparatious made by the Ameer. We were told that he was at the head of 60,000 men, that he was massing his troops on the frontier, that he had revived such sinister en- thusiasm as could not be restrained, and then at last came a positive declaration that the columns are looked for every moment to attack us at Qnettah and at the mouth of the Khyber Pass. But a few days later we received the intelligence that Shere Ali was absolutely passive, and was cautioning the frontier tribes against any dis- turbance. Even this they could not sand us without adding the sneer that Shere Ali was posturing as an unaggressive individual who is undergoing the process of bullying." Why, h8 need not posture at all; he is undergoing the pro- cess of bullying. Then came Beaconsfield's wonderful speech at the Mansion House, in which he said that their policy in Afghanistan was Dot prompted by anything that Shere Ali had done lie did not impute to the ruler of Afghanistan any misconduct; he made no reference whatever to any slights or hisults offered by the Ameer to anybody, but he said it was necessary to frecfcify our North Western frontier in a scientific manner. Now, ladies and gentlemen, it is to me a thing in- credible that Lord Beaconsfield, speaking on so solemn an occasion as that, when not only all England but all Europe, and the whole civilized world was listening to every word that fell from his lips, could have so trifled with the world as to utter a phrase of that kind as a mere rhetorical eccentricity. I do not think he did. Indeed I believe by that phrase he "let the cat out of the bag," I believe that phrase explains the whole policy of the Government. (Applause.) I believe that from the time Lord Lytton went out, he was instructed to take such steps as would iorce a quarrel with the Ameer of Afghanistan, and un- der cover of that quarrel, that we should march into his country and take possession of his strong- holds, simply for our own convenience and safety. (Cries of shame.) The rectification of the frontier! I will tell you what that means. I have got a little piece of land in my native county of Cardigan. That land is almost surrounded by the land of a large landed proprietor. Now I have no doubt it would be convenient for him to get possession of this piece of land, indeed some time ago he made overtures to me, and asked. me if I would sell it, but I said, "No," it is a bit of patrimony that I received from my fathers it gives me a little footing in my native county, and it gives me a vote for that county I don't feel inclined to part with it." Well, but suppose this gentleman said—of course this is quite hypothetical, for he is perfectly straightforward and honourable—" I want a scientific boundary for my estate and suppose he were to take violent possession of my land, or ] suppose he were to do what would be still meaner -suppose he were to commit a trespass and com- pel me to enter into law with him, lie being a lid, man and I a poor man, with the view of ruining me by long la-.v-suit*, and then inking permission of my land That is the mean policy we are pursuing in Afglianistan. It is a mean, unmanly policy. (Applause.) If we have a quarrel with any Power, it is with Russia, andjit seems to ine that Af:.r".anisfca,n might very fairly say to the British Government, as I have heard children sometimes say when a tall bully of a boy was thrashings small one—"Hit one your own size, will you?'' (Cheers and laughter.) The fact, is we are making a whipping boy of Afghanistan. I don't know whether you are aware what that means. In former ages when kings had it more their own way than now, when a youag priuce was being educated, if he did anything t wrong—and sometimes like other children, young princes require to be corrected— the pedagogue not being allowed to touch the sacred person £ of the young prince, a sort of attendant or whipping boy, was always provided, who received §this ipunishment, (Applau-e |and laughter.) So the nrince was pnnkhed by proxy. We are jfafraid of Russia, and instead of attack- in Russia, we are making ga&whipping boy of Afghanistan. That is a despicable land of fear in my opinion. (A Voice No, no.") Our friend there fsays "No, no," but the thing ^is perfectly obvious. We have no just ground of quarrel with the Ameer. But Lord Beaconsfield tells us that we want a scientific boundary to defend us against Russia although in the same^breath he tells us that we .are so strong there already that we have nofifear of invasion from that quarter. Now, ladies and jJgeutlemen, I do here solemnly protest against this doctrine that we have a';right to do what we i like with weaker Powers, to serve our own fconvenience or safety. That is the doctrine now avowed in the most cynical way by the defenders of the Government. They don't j scruple to say-we don't csire whether Shere Ali has donQ right or wrong, he may not have insulted us or offended us, but we want Afghanistan. (Cries of "shame.") Indeed, I have here by me a pamphlet, the title of which is Afghanistan, its possession necessary to England." Are we to be bound by any law in our intercourse with weaker States except the law of the strongest? Are we as a nation above all ordinances, subject to no authority but oar own mere will ? I pi-otest against that. (Loud and prolonged cheers. ) And I say if we adopt that principle we will adopt a principle which will undermine the greatness and the glory of the British Empire. (Applause.) I remember some years ago, when there was an immoral party in the United States of America saying very much the same thing as the immoral party in this country are now saying-" Our country, right or wrong"—A noble and distinguished statesman of the United States, whom I had the honour to number among my friends, the late Mr Charles Sumer, stood up against it. And I say the same thing of the principles of the Russo-phoblsts at this time, in the name of justice and humanity. He said it is a principle that would dethrone God and enthrone the Devil in the government of the universe—(cheers)—the prin- ciple of wrong and force against justice. (Cheers.) In spite of all our power, in spite of our arms, in spite of our wealth, in spite of our commercial triumphs—triumphs by arms and triumphs by diplomacy, we shall be shattered like an egg-shell against the granite rack if we dare to gr> counter i to the great principles of justice ana humanity 1 upon which God rules this wor-d. {Loud an- ) planse.) I thank you, my countrymen for that response. I feel that I have got you behind me, it I stand up in the House of Commons aud say so and I trust from this meeting to-night we shall send forth a protest that shall go up into the very ears of Lord Beaconsfield, to show that you, at all events, refuse to take any part in the moral re- sponsibility of this curse and calamity he is bring- ing upon our country. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) "KFR J°AI? GRIFFITHS said they had heard a good leal^ that evening, and therefore he would not ieteln them with a speech, but would proceed at once to fulfil the duty which the committee had given him, and that was to propose the following resolution, That this meeting gives its best 1 thanks and wannest thanks to Sir Henry Richard, M.P., for the faithful and able manner in which he has performed his duty as our representative in < Parliament for the past 10 years, and expresses its confidence in him in the future." Mr Griffith hoped than the hon. member would live long to serve his generation, and do good to his country. (Load cheering.) Mr WM. MORGAN, a collier, and one of the leaders of the men, seconded the proposition in an energetic Welsh speech, in which lie said the hon. member, for all he had done in and out of Parlia- ment for his constituents, deserved their best thanks. (Cheers.) Before the resolution was put to the meeting, the Chairman invited any one present to ask the hon. member a question if they desired to. No one coining forward, the resolution was put to the meeting and carried without a dissentient, amidst enthusiastic cheering. Mr RICHARD, responding, said lie was very much "obliged to his kind friends and countrymen for the very cordial manner in which they had re- ceived the proposition that had been laid before them. Nothing could be so great a support to a member of Perliametit in the [-discharge of his onerous duties-and they were onerons if lie desired to thoroughly discharge them—than the conscious- ness that he behind his back those who sent, him to the House. He would go back strengthened and encouraged by the kiad manner in which they bad expressed their sentiments that night. (Ap- plause.) The Rev Mr HOWR, LL proposed the next resolu- tion, which was as follows :—" That in the opinion of this meeting no snfficieu t ground had been shown to exist for hostile intervention with Afghan- istan, and it therefore protests against sncn measures as unnecessary and unjust-, and l&ted to bring deep dishonour upon J:>r!ish hon- our." He woull not inflict upon them a speech, but simply move the resolution. Mr THOMAS EKWAIUJS aecouaed the resolution, which, upon bein* put to the meeting, was agreed to unanimously, and amidst long-contmued cheer- "'lipon a vote of thank: being put to the chair- man, Mr W. Bevan, colliery manager, walked to the front of the platform, aud read neveral Welsh stanzas in praise of both Mr Richard and the re- spected chairman. The Rev D. C. PllILLirs supported the vote of thankf. The CHAIRMAN then replied, and the meeting, which throughout had been most enthusiastic, was brought to a close.

CRBDtFK CAFr)JFF TOWN -Couixir..— A special mceffn| of the Council will be held on Monday to con- I sider the report of the finance oImnittGè as to tin resignation of the town clerk, vise., to read mmutet of the special committee in reference to ParKa- meatary notice carrying .out agreement for the purchase of the Cardiff Water Works, and otiiez matters, and to pass such resolutions as may b< necessary in regard to ppoceedfng by Provisionaf i Order or by Bill, and generally in the matter.— To consider the steps to be taken for the removal of the dead in the Burial Grouud attached to Zion Chapel. 12THGJ.AronGXN RITLE VCR.U:;TKRNS. —The following sergeants of the corps having, in com- pliance with the new regulations, miderLrone » written examination by the adjutant of the battalion, have been awarded certificates of pro- ficiency :— Sergeants John Da vies, Tftomai Biddleco-nbe, Benjamin Hick", William T. Lewi* THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES to science st dents connected with the Science ar.d Art Depart. ment, meeting in the schoolroom of Tredegarvilfc Baptist Chapel, took place on Wednesday cveifc ing, Mr Eees Jones being in the chair. Tin students and committee met fur tea in the school- room, and after tea the prizes were distributed bj the chairman. Addresses were given by tlM chairman, Messrs J. W. Thomas, W. II. Thomas^ F. Farthing, aud J. Jones. The remainder of the evening was spent wish microscopes, f. telephone, and microphone, kindly lent and arranged by 1\h W. Thomas. Subjoined is a list of successfij students:—In Physiography — George Barton, advanced Queeu's prize; elementary Queea'j prize—Miss Jane Silcox, George .loukins, W, C. James, S. J. ^Farthing, Robert Lewi- Animal Physiology—G. Barton, advanced Queen's prize f eiementary Queen's prize—Miss Ivaiily William^ Miss Jane Silcox, S. J. Farthing, G. lL Noofc Magnetism and electricity—G. Barton, advanced Queen's prize; elementary Queen's prize—S. J. Farthing and W. C. James. TEMPFRAXCE LECTCRK.—Oa Friday evening Mr n. C'oad, the celebrated temperance hv!urer itud wit, delivered one of his popular addresses en the elevation of the working classes at tha Town-hall, Cardiff Mr W, K Taper in the chair. The attendance was largo, the Crown court, ia which the meeting was held, being crowded. FIRE IN BUTE-ROAD.—On Friday night a fire occurred in Bute-road, on the premises which form one of the corner hailding-s of fb:1ll:1h-street. and are occupied by Messrs Morrison and Co., ship chandlers, Ac., aud Mr R. Derlessich. TIl8 conflagration was confined to the shop and cellars, but fortunately it was quickly extinguished by the fire brigade, under Captain Hemingway, not, however, till considerable damage had been occasioned. A small quantity of goods was res- cued and conveyed to the Marquis of Bute Hotel, where they were taken care of. The new canvas hoses provided by the Corporation from Man- chester were tested by Captain Hemingway, and found to work satisfactorily. WIFE BEATING.—At the borough poliee-eourt, on Friday-before the Mayor, Mr R. o. Jones, and Alderman Evans—George Freeman, c coloured labourer, living in Harvey-street, Canton, was charged with beating luVwife, t white woman. lhe prisoner was summoned fct the assault on the 15th, but he did not then at- tend, and a warrant was issued for his apprehen- sion. The complainaut said that when he cam* home on the 10th he was the worse for drink. He very soon began to quarrel, and then struck her on the face, knocked her down, and kicked hei on the back when she was on the floor. He had beaten heron previous occasions, Tho womar did not no v wish to press the charge, but the bench sent him to prison for two montlis with hard labour. SBRIOUS CHARGE AGATXST FIREMEN.—Alfred Oliver and Michael Polar., two fireman belonging to the steamship Mazeppa, of London, were charged with stealing two brass bearings, of the value of S2, from the steamer. The prisoners or Wednesday night were met by Dock Constabh Wyde, at the side of the East Dock. Oliver was carrying a bundle. The constable stopped them and asked Oliver what he had in the bundle. Prisoner replied, "dirty clothes." He, on finding the bundle heavy, searched it and found one of the bearings in it. He then told them to sro with him to the police-station, where he searched the other prisoner and found the second bearing in his pocket. He afterwards discovered that the bear- ings belonged to the captain of the Mazeppa. James Love, the chief engineer of the Mazeppa, identified the bearings as form- ing two that they kept in reserve ia the store room, in the event of an accident occurring at sea. The two firemen joined the vessel at London, and brought goo 1 certificates of discharge with them when they j incd the ship. The prisoners pleaded guilty, and were each s-eut to prison for three montlis with ha.ru labour. IMPCIIKKT ROBBERY.—John Brown, a "loafer." living in Mary Ann-street, was charged with stealing a clock from the shop dcor-way of Mr Best, jeweller, of St. Mary-street. On Thursday evening, about half-past cine o'clock, James Col.. ston, an assistant to Mr Best, saw the prisonei look in at the glass door of the shop. In a few minutes he beard the "click of something being removed from a hook, and on opening the door he missed a small clock, of the value of los, from the lobby. He then saw the prisoner running away m the direction of Whar ton-street, anti gave chase. He overtook him, and on putting his Iwnd on the prisoner's shoulder, prisoner said, What do you want with me ?" lIe told him that be wanted the clock that was under his arm. Prisoner then took the clock and threw it on the ground with great violence, break- nig the glass. He struggled with the prisouer, and after a time took him into St. Mary-trcet, and gave him into custody. Prisoner alleged that he was drunk at the time, but this was denied, and the bench sent him to prison for four months, with hard labour. ASBAUJ.T. — Eliza Williams, a middle-aged woman, was charged with a violent assault on < woman named Sarah Spence. The defendant formerly lived with the complainant, ?„?id 81 security for the defendant, the complainant kepi possession of a shawl belonging to the defendant. On meeting the complainant on Thursday evening in Bute-street, she began to abuse her, and then struck her on the face twice, and once when »n tlie way to the police-station, P.C. Rogers being a witness to the assault. The bench sent her to prison for Mdnvs, with hard labour. > THE CHARGE" or WOUNDING.— Mary Dcey, < young woman, who was on Wednesday remanded on the charge of wounding an old woman named Honorah Lee, again appeared on a remand. The case has been twice remanded, to see whether the injured woman was progressing favourably. It was now stated that she was going oi: all light, and tlte bench sent the defendant to prison for two months, with hard labour.

NEWPORT. LECTURE.—At the Town-hall, on Thursday* Mr W. S. Wiiliams, of this town, delivered an interesting lecture on the Paris Exhibition. Some of the most important features of the Exhibition were illustrated by means of dissolving views. POLICE BUSINESS.—At the borough police-court, in Friday—before Mr H. Phillips a.nd Mr Chas. Lewis,—James Henry Wheeler,otherwise Gosling, an outfitter, of 42, Commercial-street, summoned for being disorderly and knocking at doors in Mountjoy-pbice. Mends wa. on duty in the vocality, and, hearing a loudl knocking, he proceeded to the place, and there saw tije defendant knocking at the doors with » stone. He teak no hed to any remonstrances of the officers, and, when asked for an explanation of his conduct, excused himself by saying that he was looking for Mrs Gosling. It was stated that defendant's wife had left him a short time since. The bench could not understand such conduct, and imposed a fine of 21s and the costs, together with 5s damage-clone to the doors.—A number of other cases were disposed of, but these were of litt]. public importance.—Margaret Hancock, for assaulting Emma MMtchip, was fined 10s, and the costs.

CINDERFORD. ON Thursday night, the Town Hall was filled on the occasion of a second annual entertain- ment, given by Mrs Thorley, head mistress of board school. A lengthy programme was sub- mitted, and ^having reg>rd to the youthful character oi those who rendered the various item* therein, it was a matter of astonishment that tha children acquitted themselves so well. The enter- tainment was under tlie auspices of the school board, who were represented by the Rev. W. Bar- ker (Holy Trinity) and Air Ridler. 'J he Misset Tliorley gave valuable assistance.

LOCALLTQIJIDATIONS fFROX LAST NIGHT'S "GAZETTE.") Walter Rosser, late of the Bush Inn, BIMo" Mon,, beer retailer, now of Caddick's-row, Bla.ina, afoiesaid, cut of business. George Dyke, of Nantyglo, Mon., saddler. William Ford, of Femdale, near Pontypridd, Glamorgan, builder and contractor. John Rowell, of Canton, Cardiff, and of West Bute Dock, Cardiff, timber merchant. Thomas Williams, 31, Uaion-street, Cardiff, grocer and painter. Samuel Hamnieth, of Saint Athan, near Low. bridge, Glamorgan, plevemftker. Evan Lewis, formerly of Cwrt Make, parish of Llangennocli, Carmarthen, farmer, now in lodg- ings in High-road. Swansea, out of business. George Noot, of Tenby, Pembroke, builder. David Richards, of Aberystwitli, Cardigan, mineral water manufacturer, late cliaudier.

Mr W. O'Hanlon, in a lengbthy letter to tlit Manchester papers, descrihe" from personal ob- observation the pitiable distress of the population of Ancoats (Manchester), owing to want of em- ployment, and appeals earnestly for assistance for the destitute. The best help that could be given to these and the many thousands of destituta peonle in all our great centres of industry woakl be to get lid of Lord Beaconsfield.—Edw, At Bath a somewhat singular charge ot forgery was heard on Thursday, A he accused were two young girls naifced Sarah I erkms and Franeee Poole. The former was iu the service of a latly named Barifoot, and was frequently sent to gel, cheques cashed at a neighbouring tradesman'* liace of business. On November 9th Perkia* cashed two cheques, and one of them w as dis- covered to be forged. It transpired tJlat the mis- tress of the prisoner had left her cheque-book in room to which Perkins had access, and die and Poole took a cheque and filled it UP. The prisoners admitted, when apprehended, that they divided the money received for the clwqlie. They wera remanded. Sam Rutfeiin, a Gergia* negro, possesses M: in- ventive genius of no dewpicsWe wrder. 1 uc otlver night he was c.wsrbt in the act oi otir-u lously entering a shop, aad next morning awat iur a pri- i-rterview with tlie judge, to lie ex- pressed lik dismcUaatioB to be put niv.^ trial Ha J. f j,ig jfoflt, bat ««d ne dm lu+t wish 1MS ci av .^fcer to be stained by trial and convietitwj. Tlie iu £ »ni°as Sam then proved that lie shouto be"aWowed_ to volunteer to do 12 months' hard labaur, wWcb would be rather more than the law would give him. After serving h4iaH: hs could look the world ia the race ad say he had n««ar been convicted. The judge thought tlie snglgwtwa an excel ent one, Sam is at the present merit a voluntary prisoner, with a brifht f before hua.

THE ATTEMPT ON KING HUMBERT. ROME, Friday.—The preliminary judicial enquiry preceding the trial of Giovanni Passanante, the perpetrator of the attempt on the life of King Humbert, is rapidly pro- gressing, many witnesses having already been heard. The examination of the per- sons sosposted of complicity in the crime continues. Congratulatory telegrams are reaching the King from all parts of the world, and numerous deputations are arriving in Rome to offer their congratula- tions on liis escape. It is stated that the Pope will shortly issue a special Encyclical Letter denouncing Socialism, with special reference to the attempted assassination of the Emperor of Germany and the Kings of Spain and Italy, and liis Holiiness will also call the attention of the Goternment to the crimes committed against the state and society. PARIS, Friday.—M. Gambetta. has received a telegram from Signor Gairoli, the Italian Premier, thanking him for his congratula- tions upon the King's escape, and regarding them as a fresh proof of M. Gambetta's friendship for Italy. MADTUD, Thursday.—The Corresjiondmria dc Espano of to-day asserts that several European Cabinets have informed the Swiss Government of their intention to recall their representatives from Berne if Switzer- land oontinues to give 'refuge to anarchists from all countries.