The North Wales Express

THE HARVEST OF 1878. The Agricultural Gazette publishes its annual report on the harvest from correspondents in every county of Great Britain and Ireland. The follow- ing is its summary:—"We have a considerably better series of crop reports to lay before our readers this year than any which they have read since the great crop of 1874; for, although the wheat crop is not, upon the whole, much mon than an average, and barley is decidedly under average, and oats also do not reach the average and beans and peas are largely failures, and although it is the lighter soils of the country-not generally the most productive of our bread corn—which have been especially favoured by the season, yet no such disastrous account of our produce has to be ren dere 1 as was true of 1875, 1876, and 1877. Of course the returns are not individually ef equal standing or importance; a return from Ross-shire, for example, which describes the wheat as beyond an average crop, is far more than merely counter- balanced by one from Yorkshire or Essex, which pronounces it to be under average. When a con- siderable number of reports are lumped together, however, their individual differences may be nearly disregarded. And it will be found upon the whole, as we have said, that the wheat crop, of which the over-average returns more than balance in number those which declare it to be under average, is the best crop of the year. It is almost certain, indeed, that the crop will not perform all that its promise indicates. The thrashing machine will disappoint many a farmer who looks at the enormous bulk of straw he has to pass through it, and 1878 will be no exception to the rule which declares a wet cold May to be fatal to a satisfactory yield of wheat. The weather, however, has latterly been nearly all the wheat-grower could desire, and the yield will probably be greater than could have been expected just when the ear shot forth." The Mark Lane Express says-" In consequence of the change in the temperature of the weather, harvest operations have been carried on with less discomfort to those engage.1 therein. No serious damage has resulted to c,<rn the storms, while the root crops have greatly benefited by the much-needed moisture. Reports as to the yield of wheat, are various, but, generally speaking, the har- vest promises to be an improvement on last year's, both as regards grain and straw. There are, how- ever, several districts, particularly in 'Norfolk, Cambridge, and parts of Essex, where the opposite opinion obtains. Complaints are rife of hardly- filled ears, blight, and rust. Further north ap- pearances improve, and in Lancashire and York- shire the crops are stated to look healthier and heavier than for some years past. From Scotland and Ireland equally favourable reports have been received."

ANGLESEY CHAIR EISTEDDFOD. THE AIR "SYMLEN BEN BYS." As we announced in our last week's issue, Mr John Morgan, Cadnant, offered a prize of X2 for the best arrangement for four voices of the old Welsh air Symlen ben bys," but the composi- tions were pronounced by Mr John Thomas (PeinceHd Gwnlia), and his co-adjudicators, to be ot insufficient merit, and the prize therefore with- held. The following is the adjudication delivered at the Eisteddfod on Wednesday by Pencerdd Owalia:—I. Cymro.-Cleverly harmonized, but lias committed a serious e/ror in having deviated from the original melody, in the second bar, according to Edward Jones' version. 2. Flying jDutehman —Has the melody correct; but his har- monies are far too chromatic, and his modulations -too frequent for so simple a melody. Although -the melody is in the minor key, he modulates twice in the major key in the course of the first two lines.-3. Gwyneddwr has deviated from Edward Jones' version to such an extent in the second and sixth bars of the melody as to have deprived him -of the advantage of whatever merits his arrange- ment might otherwise possess, among which clear- ness and simplicity may be mentioned.-4. Un o'r JEryri has also deviated from the original version in the second and sixth bars of the melody, other- wise there are good points in the harmony.—5. -Arthur Puw sent in his manuscript too late to be included in the competition, and we only mention him here in order to point out to hini that his version of the melody is also incorrect in the second, eleventh, and seventeenth bars. In all probability, the incorrectness on the part of nearly all the competitors has arisen" from the scarcity of Edward Jones' Relics of the Welsh Bards," from which it was advertised that the. melody was to be copied. But as correcting the melody would render it necessary to modify the harmony in each instance, and as we should not be justified in coun- tenancing any but a correct version of this beau- tiful melody to go to the world, we regret to state that we are under the necessity of with-holding the prize altogether.

The American boat Nautilus which crossed the .Atlantic with two men on board her, has arrived jr Havre, the destination the brothers Andrew 2iad in view when they set out from New York. Prince Albert wrote on the 18th April, 1854:- "The next party conflict in the House of Commons -will be upon finance. Gladstone wants to pay for the war out of the current revenue, so long as he does require more than ten millions sterling above the ordinary expenditure, and to increase the taxes for the purpose. The, Opposition are for borrowing—that is increasing the debt-and do not wish to impose in the meantime any further burthens on themselves. The former course is manly, statesmanlike, and honest; the latter is convenient, cowardly, perhaps popular."

A man can't travel into a woman's affections by getting on hcr tuin. I notiss- one thing. The man who rides on the kars every day is satisfied with one seat; but the man who rides once a year wants at least four. —Josh Jiiilii-ffs. Is your master at home ? inquired a gentle- man of the servant of the house at which he was calling. "No, sir," replied the man. "When will he be back"? asked the visitor. Can't say sir," said the man. When lie sends me down to say he's out, I never can be sure." The particular man gives more trouble and causes more annoyance and delay than half a dozen careless people. When he is travelling, he puts his ticket in a place so remarkable secure that not only dishonest people cannot find it, but he cannot find it himself. You see," said uncle Job, "my wife is a curious woman. She scrimped and saved, and almost starved all of us to get the parlour furnished nice and now she won't let one of us go into it, and haint even had the window blinds of it open for a month. She is a curious woman." Well, I suppose you have been to look at Texas. Didyou see any thing of ouroldfriendX. outthere?" Yes-gone deranged. "Gcllle deranged! How ? What does he do? Real crazy? Yes, indeed he doesn't know his own hogs from his neigh- bours' -.A inei-ica)i. paper. What do you know about the prisoner ? asked the judge. "I don't know iiothiii'' bout him, j edge, only he s bigoted." "Bigoted?" said his honour. Yes, sah." What do you mean by bigoted'?" Well, jedge," explained the witness, "he knows too much foh one niggar, an' not 'nuff foh two." A correspondent asks," says an American paper, what is the best method of feeding cattle in whiter ? We don't exactly know. One man prefer to take the ox in his lap and feed him with a spoon. Others would bring him into the dining room and let him sit at the dining table with the old tolks. Tastes differ i-i matters oi this kind." Roger M. Sherman was arguing a case, and made a point which the judge did not at once see. Mr Sherman," said he, I would thank you to state the poiut so that I can understand you." Bowing politely, Mr Sherman replied, in his blandest manner, Your hcnour is not probably aware of the task you are imposing upon me." An old Scotch lady had an evening party, where a young man was present who was about to leave for an appointment in China. As he was exceed- ingly extravagant in his conversation about himself, the old lady said, when he was leaving, "Tak guicl care o' yoursel, my man, when ye're awa'; for, mind ye, they eat puppies in Cheena! The British Bank holiday is described by the Paris Figaro as a day on which the Bank of Eng- land and the Stock Exchange are closed for the purpose of being thoroughly cleansed. As English- men will not work on Sundays, continues our contemporary, these Bank holidays have been instituted so that the public buildings may be turned out once a quarter. A minister examined his schoolboys thus: "What is the meaning of the word I repentance ? Boy: Please, sor, aa divvent knaa." Minister: Now, if I had stolen a loaf of bread, what should I be? Boy: "Please, sor, locked up." Minister: "Well, should I feel sorry?" Boy: "Yes." Minister: Why should I feel sorry ?" Boy: "Please, sor, 'cause you was catched Rev Mr Jasper (coloured), of Richmond, Va., who has just preached a sermon to prove that the earth is flat and the sun revolves around it, was asked by a reporter to illustrate his notion. "Why," said he, "suppose you were in a cart. When the cart turn round, you do, too; don't you? Now, the houses on the earth don't turn round, and ain't it more expedient to suppose that the sun turns round ? An Irish labourer, who was lying in a ditch very much the worse for liquor, was encountered by the priest of his parish. Very much shocked, his reverence turned the drunkard over, who muttered, "Where am I ? On the road to hell," replied the priest sternly. "I thought," said Pat, with national readiness, even in his cups—" I thought so when I heard Father Murtagh's voice on the road too." The assurance of the lightning-rod man was never better illustrated than the other day when he applied to the president of a railway company and wanted to put up lightning rods on all of his cars. "Lightning rods on our cars?" asked the latter. Why, certainly." What in the world do we want them i ) c "Because they make good conductors," replied the man, as he closed the door hastily behind him. A barrister gives this reminiscence in an after dinner speech When I began to practise, I had my shirts washed by the two dozen." Shout of dissent greeted this exaggerated statement, as his daily financial position was known to be synon- ymous £ s. d.—without the £ and the s. The barrister at this interruption paused for a moment or two, and then continued: "I say washed by the two dozen, for each shirt was in two dozen pieces." A Scotch minister was riding on horseback, one stormy day, enveloped in a loose cloak of large proportions, and having a broad scarlet neck. By the strong action of the wind the cloak was tossed about in all directions, when an English gentle- man rode up on a spirited charger. The gentle- man's horse shied, and almost threw his rider. That cloak of yours would frighten the devil!" said the Englishman. "Man," replied the minister, "that's just my beeziness." There is a carter whose fame for strong language is such that is name is a proverb along the western coast from San Francisco to San Diego. One day this man was driving a waggon of apples up a hill, when the tailboard came out, and the apples rolled one after another down the slope. The neighbours assembled expecting to hear something more than usually choice. To their surprise the veteran, after a brief interval of silence, mopped his forehead with his handker- chief and calmly remarked, My friends, this is an occasion to which I am unequal." An excursionist on board one of the steamers that ply amongst the Hebrides annoyed his fellow- passengers, not without sometimes amusing them, by his remarks on every object that presented itself to view. Having obtained from the captain the information that the mountain in sight was about fifty miles off, he rushed abou,t the deck exclaiming to one after another, "Look at that mountain Look at that mountain What do you think ? It is fifty miles off. Only think, sir we see an object fifty miles off Man," said a quiet Scotchman whom he thus addressed, and who had been not a little pestered by him already did ye ever see the mune ? A certain Sabbath-school teacher was in the habit of-making collections in the juvenile depart. ment of the school for missionary purposes. He was not a little surprised, one day, to find a counterfeit coin amongst the pennies, and on asking the class who put it there, the youthful donor was pointed out to him by one who saw him deposit it. Did you know that this was good for nothing ? inquired the teacher. Yes sir," answered the boy. "Then why did you put it in tb e box ? I I "I didn't s'pose," coolly replied the boy, that the little heathen would know the difference so I thought it would be as good for them as a real one. I I A novel material has been hit upon for ladies' costumes. There have been brought out in Paris opera cloaks, shawls, and other articles of femin- ine attire made entirely of glass, which have the appearance of being made of the finest silk. There is already an outcry against the cost of female dress: but if the proverb "Who breaks pays," is to apply to the new style, husbands will do well to set their faces against a fashion which besides having all the pretentiousness of previous modes, adds to them the defect of being instantly seen through. -,Tudy.

j COMPOSITIONS OF THE CARNARVON EISTEDDFOD, 1877. TRANSLATION OF DR. EDWARDS' HAMILTON AND MILL. I.-THE SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE. Perhaps the fundamental difference between Sir William Hamilton and Mr Mill, as well as between other schools of philosophers in every age, is the different view they take of the source of knowledge. One school takes its standpoint in the realm of the mind, and regards all things as proceeding from there, whilst the other school takes its stand- point in the realm of matter, regarding matter as the source of all knowledge. Some people speak of a time when man had no regard but for the body, and of a time anterior to that when man was merely an irrational creature, and that it was by gradual development he became a rational creature. But when we compare the most popular philosophers of the present day with the earliest we know of, the mind evidently had much more attention given to it in the olden time than now, and the tendency of the developmeat is, not from the monkey to man, but from man to the monkey. If we examine the ancient and sacred writings of the Indians, we find that their systems are much more spiritual than what is generally believed now- adays in England, and that their fault is, giving too much prominence to the mind and too little to the body. Every system of Hindoo philosophy," says Mullens, "speab of the mind as being distinct from, and different to the body. Even in Vedanta, where it is taught that the soul, like all else in the universe, emanated from Brahma, it is spoken of as something distinct, bearing its own burden, and making attempts peculiar to itself to set itself free. The Sankhya and the Nyaya place the.soul among the original and eternal realities." The Indians, it appears, hold that there is a difference not only between body and soul, but also between soul and mind. Dr Ballantyne re- marks It should be carefully noticed that the soul (atman) is spoken of as a being quite different to the mind (rnanas). Neglect of this distinction may occasion endless confusion in arguing with a Hindoo. The Englishman has been accustomed to hear the words soul and mind used synony- mously, but he must be careful not to take this loose way of speaking with him to any of the Indian dialects, if he wishes to be understood, and if he wishes to avoid such errors as Ritter's, who makes the Naiyayika call the soul a monad, whereas he really says that the soul is omniscient, and the mind a, monad—or such an error as Cousin's, who makes out that the Sankhya main- tains that all is matter, as if he taught that the soul emanates from nature, whilst he merely teaches that the organs of the soul, external and internal, emanate from something other than the soul. In the systems of the Hindoos, the soul is the man himself, and the mind is the organ or the faculty, which, by intervening between man and the impressions receives through the senses, prevents those impressions from accumulating without order, just as a minister stands between the sovereign and the thousand matters demand- ing his attention, and presents them one by one to him for his consideration." If we cross over from India to Greece, we see a nation differing very much from the Hindoos in the attention paid by them to every species of external beauty; and yet in that country the principal philosophers laid much more stress upon inward principles as the source of knowledge than is done by Mr Mill and his followers. Some are prejudiced against Plato because he sometimes speaks of the soul as existing in another world before it came to dwell in a body, which is at the root of his doctrine of Reminiscence. In looking at a casual act of mercy, we arrive at the idea of abstract mercy or by looking at a casual act of justice we get the idea of abstract justice; and the reason for this, according to Plato, is, that we were coguisant of these ideas in a prior state of existence, and that something similar to them reminded us of them just as an imperfect paint- ing reminds us of the person portrayed, if we had previous opportunities of knowing him. To say the least, we have sublime poetry here, and Wordsworth and others have said the same thing after him. But the probability is that Plato meant us to take the statement in its literal sense, neither is it difficult to see the reason for that, as none of the pagans were able to form a conception of creating out of nothing (de tailtilo). Cudworth has laboured to prove that Plato held this doctrine; but it is evident concerning all the instances ad- duced, that the meaning is, to reduce to order, and not to bring into existence. This inability of Plato to conceive the soul as becoming, led him to offer an explanation, erroneous as to its form, but if we go through the form to the substance, it contains an undoubted truth. Plato does not suppose that man is conscious of these ideas from childhood, any more than that he is conscious always of what is in his mind after he has attained to mature age; but they are within him virtually, though not actually, when he is born and this is all we need argue for. Many may be the con- jectures to account for the fact, but perhaps none would be more satisfactory than Plato's; and though the explanations offered be refuted, the fact would still remain. We are even inclined to be- lieve that Plato's explanation is not so absurd as imagined, if adopted with the modification necessarily attending the adoption of the doctrine of God creating the soul, and if it be asked, whence come the original principles inherent in man as a rational creature, we have no other answer than that God created man in his own image and like- ness, and that he alone is the Father of Spirits. Turning from Plato to Aristotle we lose sight to some degree of the relation of man to another world for though he believed in the existence of God, it does not appear that he had but dim and doubtful notions concerning the dominion of God over His creatures, and concerning thmmortality of the soul. He could, therefore, have no prejudice in favour of the original principles we speak of and yet he demonstrates, though not so clearly as Plato, that there must be in man a source of knowledge other than his bodily senses. In the first pait of the last chapter in his Posterior Analytics, he seems to trace all knowledge to the senses, and it might be thought that there is no difference between him and Mr Mill. But before the end of the chapter, he distinguishes between the certain and the uncertain, and demonstrates that all certain knowledge is derived from the vous, i.e., reason in the highest sense of the word. The same matter is touched upon in the 6tli book on his treatise on Morality, and if we agreed with Sir Alex. Grand to ascribe this portion of his treatise to Eudemus (which we are not quite prepared to do), still we would have to believe that he wrote what he had received from Aristotle. In the 5th chapter of that book he maintains that the reason is the faculty whish was to deal with principles, and in the 8th chapter of the same book, he holds that we have some kind of a sense to perceive moral principles, a sense different to all the bodily senses, and more akin to the faculty by which we perceive the simplest truths in mathematics. In his treatise of the soul, he says in one place that he is not certain whether the soul can exist apart from the body*; but elsewhere, when distinguishing between the passive reason and the active reason, he says that the active reason gives existence to everything as light causes colours, which virtually existed before, to have actual existence; and moreover that this active reason (or intelligence) can exist apart from the body, eternal and immortal, t *De Anima, II. i., 12. tDe Anima, III. v., 2. (To be continued).

The Commissioners of the Paris Exhibition has published the official returns of the number of visitors during the months of May and June, from which it appears that there were 1,666,879 admis- sions in May, and 2,555,523 in June, the increase in the latter mouth being due to the fact that the Exhibition and its annexes was not completely ready till the end of May.

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD FOR 1878. The Birkenhead Eisteddfod gives every indica- tion of a great national gathering, and will to all appearances be one of the greatest that has ever been-lield in or out of Wales. Every confidence is felt among its promoters that it will turn out a financial success, and the large number of com- positions that have reached the Secretary's hands points out that it will be a great success also as regards the number of competitors and the excel- lence of the compositions. The opinion is that a larger number of competitors have entered the arena for this year's Eisteddfod than on any pre- vious occasion. For the chair prize, .the subject of which is an ode on "Providence," fourteen bards have competed, and we append their nom de plumes, David, Tudur Aled, Addolwr, Idwal (1), Diwyd, Marah, Syllydd, Cowper, Idwal (2), Llywarch Hen, Luther, Omega, Mordecai, and Ydlanydd. Sub- joined is also a list of compositions received at the Eisteddfod offices Hp to the 1st ulto. on tha various subjects for competition in Prose, Poetry, Trans- lations, and Musical Compositions. PROSE. No. of SUBJECTS. PRIZE. Compe- titors. Speaal Subjects.—" Th Present State of the Welsh Nation, more especially in its In- ) dustrial, Literary, & .English) Social Aspects, to-/Essay. £ 10° -■«». pother with best means of securing its progress in those re- J pects f ) CVritiVi ( 25 Guineas ) "Locke's Philosophy" J J and a J Six. ) -^ssay- ( Guld Medal. ) ARoma nee: describing VVelshLife&Charac-1 ter at the close of the ( £ 20 .One. 17th century f "Nationality." J Essay, j £ Medal* J Three- "Qeniusof Nicander." | 1 £ io One. Welsh Dictionary of) Philosophical and; — £ 8 Two. Scientific Terms ) A Welsh Handbook to) rp Geology j £ o Two" The most effective means of elevating SSSSaSS "Ten. cultural Labourers in Wales "Afrad pob Afraid" ) W ] h (competed by youths J T<aa„ j 4 Guineas.Seven, under 18 ) -^ay. < POETRY. 125 Guineas & Chair Subject.—" Provi- f AJ. ) an elegantly I Four- dence." { ) carved oak ( teen. J chair. Joshua." | [ 25 Guineas.Twelve In Memoriam Elegy. 15 Guineas. Four. 'Bravery." Cywydd. 5 Guineas.Four. "Olwen." Eclogue. 5 Guineas.Four. "The Farmyard." jcriptvej 5 Guineas. j teen" His- "SnHUL"^111..13^ 'fl* 5Guineas. Five. Song. Twelve Songs on 12) T _• i Welsh Proverbs [Lyrical. 4 Gumeas. Five. Boddiad y cerddor > j Thir- Hopkin. | Ballad. 3 Gumeas. | £ £ £ "Tegidon." Epitaph.. 2 Guineas. Thirty "Honey." Epigram. 1 Guinea. { S^ey" ) Epi- "Colorado Beetle." f (serio | l Guinea. | sati- | > nme- rical). TRANSLATIONS. Prize Ode—"Youth." j English j 20 Guineas. Seven. '•Williams Pantycelyn > Into I -n and his Times." (English) Guineas, Four. "TheRaven." j Welsh I 7Guineas.Twelve Addison,^ Macau- ) Into ( ■ m, lay's Essay } Welsh. > 5 Gtameas. Three. Shakespear and the » Into ( r „ ■ ) Sixtv- Welsh." I English | 5 Guineas. "Village Blacksmith." | | 2 Guineas, j "Wyres Bach Ned) Into ( Puw." j English) 2 Gumeas.Thirty. The Asylum." j English | 2 G^neas..>. Three. MUSICAL COMPETITIONS. Psalm cvii. 23-32 j Welsh^ j W Guineas & j Three «>&-■ j Fifteen Shakespeare) j pal^ I ,3G £ neas. ) Song, with accom-) Q ( paniment, upon ( tra]t 5 Guineas .Twelve Welsh words Pianoforte Sonata in | ( 10 Guineas ) a three movements ( and medal. ) Hevon- From the foregoing it will be seen that there are 43 competitors in Prose, 214 in Poetry, 162 in Trans- lations, and 37 in Musical Compositions, making a grand total of 466 competitors. This return does not include the entries in the Vocal and Instru- mental, Arts and Sciences, and the Vord Gron competitions. The list of entries in those depart- ments will not be completed until the 20th inst., when the date of entry will have expired. A num- ber of English, North and South Wales, and Liver- pool Choirs intend competing, and the choral com- petitions will probably be the finest recorded in the annals of the Eisteddfod. Some exceedingly interesting Brass Band Competitions will take place, and already several local military bands have intimated their intentions to competfe.

Alderman Lawrence, in reply to an application at the Guildhall, has refused to use the poor box fund in aid of the Reserve Force Relief Committee. The International Monetary Congress was opened in Paris on Saturday. The Colonies and India suggests a uniform currency for the entire Empire. The, Canadian journals speaks warmly of the appointment of the Marquis of Lome as Governor General. The Cyproites are blessed with snakes. An authority says two species of snake excist whose venom is fatal." The Lord Mayor of London has left London for a short holiday on the Continent. Miss Helen Taylor does not seriously intend to pursue her candidature for Southark. It is understood there will be no appeal against the decision in the St. Alban's ritual case. BABYLONIAN ANTIQUITIES.—The department of Oriental Antiquities of the British Museum has just obtained, by purchase, some interesting cunei- form inscriptions in a series of small cantract tab- lets, dated in the reign of Mithridates H. or Arfc- abanus II., one of the Arsacian kings of Babytou. These tablets are of very great importance, of account of their being dated with the duel system of both the Seleusidae and the Arsacian eryLi, and thus fixing by indisputable authority the starting points of both these epochs. Of the seven tablets obtained, there are three that bear the double cal- culation of dates-the earliest being Month Sabat (11) 18th day in the 151th year-which equals the 218th year of Arsaka-King of Kings." There are in the series two in the 155th or 219th year of Arsaka —and four which bear only the date of the years reckoned from the revolt of the Seleucida). The revolt of the Seleucidae took place in B.C. 312, and by these tablets we find that 84 years after, or in B.C. 228, the revolt of Arsaces took place, and the Arsacian epoch commenced. The lesser date, therefore, 155th year, will give us the year B.C. 93, which falls in the reign of Artabanus II., or Mith- ridates II, thesixth of the Arsaces. These tablets, with the exception of one dated in the reign of Pecorus, which is in the museum at Zurich, are the latest examples of cuneiform writing known. They are contract tablets related to loans of money, and their material is very coarse and the writing care- less. It is also to be noticed that, with very few exceptions, the contracting parties are designated by Semitic names, indicating, apparently that this mode of record was confined almost solely to the conservative Semitic merchants of Babilon.— Academy.

NAVAL DEMONSTRATION AT SPITTLE AD. REVIEW BY THE QUEEN. It is but natural that Her Majesty, now that the Eastern crisis is at an end, and when the further cruising in the channel of the particular service squadron is rendered unnecessary, should review or rather inspect the formidable vessels which, under Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B., F.RS., were so hastily got together in case of emergency, and it may safely be sserted that if the illustrious Lady was proud of this further evidence of Great Britain's power, that pride was equally shared by every man and boy in the squadron by this additional proof of interest on the part of the Queen in everything which concerns the honour and well-being of the nation. The exact composition of the squadron was as follows:—Starboard or leading division—all broad- side ships, Hercules, 14 guus, 8700 tons, plated with from nine to six inches of armour; Hector and Valiant, each eight guns, 6713 tons, with i. inch armour; Lord Warden, 18 guns, 7842 tons, with from 4- to 5 inches of armour; Warrior, 32 guns, 9137 tons, 4. inches of armour; Penelope, 11 guns, 4394 tons, from six to five inch armour Resistance, 6000 tons, 4 inch armour; Boadicea and Euryalus, 16 guns each, 4000 tons, un- armoured. Corvettes, cased with wood—Emerald, 12 guns, 2162 tons; double screw corvette Como- rant, six guns; composite sloop, 1124 tons, and Blazer and Comet, iron gun boats, each carrying a single 18 ton gun. Port division, all turret ships—Thunderer, four guns, 9190 tons Belleisle, four guns, 4720 tons, 12 inch armour plating Prince Albert, four guns, 3905 tons, 4 inch armour; Gorgon, Hydra, Hecate, and Cyclops, each carrying four 18-ton guns, being 3430 tons, and with from ten to six inches of armour; Glutton, 4912 tons, carrying two 25-ton guns, and plated with from 12 to 14 inches of armour Ready, gunboat, guns ranging from 6 tons downwards. Tweed and Tay, gun- boats, carryingthree64-pounders, and two torpedo boats. The two lines were anchored 500 yards apart, and the distance separting each ship in the line was 300 yards this being close formation, and nearer than which the vessel would not, by the rules, be permitted. The crews were turned up at 4.30 this morning to wash decks, and as no general leave was given on Monday night the duty of cleaning was very soon accomplished. But the weather all the morning augured badly for pleasure seekers. A stiff breeze was blowing. Heavy rain continu- ally fell, and the sea was exceedingly choppy. This did not deter the preparations for a royal re- ception. At eight o'clock on Tuesday, Admiral Key made a signal to dress ships at noon, and by that time the whole of the broadside vessels were decorated with flags, rainbow fashion. The turret ships had fewer flags in consequence of their rig. The seamen in the squadron wore white frocks and hats and blue trousers. In fact they were fully dressed, whilst the officers also appeared in full uuiferm. By one o'clock visitors began to arrive. Each vessel was visited by about 100 people, the friends of officers. The naval and military officials unconnected with the fleet were quartered on board a small in-shore craft, while the members of both Houses of Parliament were conveyed to Spithead in the magnificent Indian trooper, Euphrates, the noble lords and lion, gentlemen baving been embarked at the south railway jetty in Portsmouth dockyard. At this time the weather overhead gave promise of improvement, but the wind still blew in heavy squalls. A little later on the rain fell in torrents, and continued without intermission during the whole ceremony. At twenty-five minutes past three the first gun from the Hercules intimated that the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert was in sight, and the whole broadside division fired a Royal salute of 21 guns but the progress to Spithead was slow, and it was not till four o'clock that the Victoria and Albert was seen entering the line atthewestern end,andas a matter of course passing the smaller ships first. The progress through this was very slow. The Trinity yacht, doing the duty of pilot, led, and after her came the Royal yact with Her Majesty. and the Princess of Wales, and her two sons, who are cadets on board the Britannia, standing to- gether on the bridge. As each ship was approached, yards were manned, the men on the monitors standing round the decks. At the given word from the commanding officers, the sailors cheered lustily, while the marines remained at present." When the Hercules, as flagship, was approached, the band played God save the Queen." Attend- ing on Her Majesty were the Royal yacht Osborne, with the Prince of Wales on board, and other yachts containing naval officers; while the Euphrates, with the Lords and Commons, brought up the rear. As soon as the vessels were clear, Admiral Key signalled, annulling the order to slip cables and steam round the Nats Light for evolu- tions, which was at first intended, and in every way prepared for, and which was only counter- manded in consequence of the boisterous weather. The whole flotilla then proceeded seaward, and, about a couple of miles off, turned, and repassed through the lines, the sailors repeating the same proceedings as on the first occasion. When the Queen had arrived at about half way through the fleet the following general signal was hoisted on board the Victoria and Albertr" Her Majesty is much pleased, and regrets that bad weather has prevented the evolutions." The reception of so gratifying a message gave rise to renewed cheers, and Admiral Key at once signalled to the broad- sides to fire a second royal salute, while the marines in the turret hips were ordered to fire a feii tie joie, those vessels being too heavily armed for ordinary saluting. The time for the feu de joie was taken from the Thundeier, and it was carried out with remarkable precision. When the royal yacht had passed throngh the lines she at once proceeded to Cowes, while the attendant vessels came into har- bour. At sunset the flags were lowered, and at nine o'clock the squadron was illuminated with rockets and blue lights, the ports of the broadsides being also lit up. This was a pretty sight, and was wit- nessed by thousands both from the shore and afloat. The whole arrangements were most satis- factorily carried out, not a single hitch being observable, so well did the steam launches of the various ships keep the line free of intruding ships, that had it been decided to have gone for a cruise, the whole thing might have been easily accom- plished. The excellent way in which officers and men worked was commended by the admiral com- manding. Although the weather was too bad to permit of visitois coming off to the stationary vessels, it did not preclude others from cruising about in hired steamers, and in a vessel set aside by the Admiralty. Thousands remained on the decks of these during the whole of the proceedings, while Sonthsea beach and common were crowded, despite the drenching rain. A very great attrac- tion during the whole of the day, was the cruising of two torpedo boats, which have been bought by the British Government, .but which have not yet been taken possession of. They were ordered to cruise through the whole fleet, and the marvellous speed attained by each, between 22 and 23 knots, occasioned considerable surprise. It is understood that the fleet will be broken up in the next few days. Those ships which have been in commission, and doing duty as coast-guard vessels, will return to their stations, while the monitors, with the ex- ception of the Thunderer and Belleisle, will return to Devonport to pay off. A sad accident befel a man named Sanders, of Southampton, while returning from one of the ships, the Hecla. He had been out with some provisions, in company with his son, and on re- turning into harbour, when off Portsea, he was run into by a passing vessel. The boat capsized. The son saved his life by swimming, but the father was never seen to rise. His body has not been re- covered.

An African Missionary, who brought an action to recover a balance of salary against the Church Missionary Society, has been non-suited. >

THE ALLEGED CASE OF STARVE TION AT NEATH. k Tiie adjomued inquest OD tile V.dy of Alio. cent was resumed on Monday. Superintend^ « Phillips produced letters received by Margatf r J Vincent from her husband in Australia, proviu L tl that he sent her money. Mrs Lucy Allen said VC] I live in Samuel's Buildings. I knew Alice, Vincent's daughter, very well. When the chil s. first came to live at the buildings it looked del) m cate. I had heard Mrs Vincent say it was subj to fits, but I never saw her in one. I used to go t t, her house to look after the children when she wf j. a out. She neglected her children. I have been i >av the habit of giving food to the children as oftel a.t as I could, but my means would not allow me t rN give it as often as I could like to have done, and gave it because they did not get it from the mother. The deceased was kept very dirtv. oj know a man named David Morris he used to £ tl to the house, take his meals there, and stay there ( She went to Swansea, and stayed there with him Morris took X,3 out of her pocket at one time, abol1 e a month ago. I heard him say he had got all h i, money, and I went to him and then to Mrs Vin ( cent, and I told her that if she did not get ilhl money from Morris I would get a police officer t% make him give it up. Then he gave it to a littl<b. girl and she gave it to Mrs Vincent. I saw th%i child, Alice, about a fortnight ago. It was ve weak. I used to wash the child, and I saw th disease on the skin that she was suffering from, The child could not walk about because it did not have what was right and proper for it. I wrote tO her husband. I told her I would write about inert way in which she was spending her money. 11 wanted to have the money sent to her father, that t he might have the control of it for the children. In had a reply in July. In that reply he says he had 1 sent her £6 and -ill, just before. I saw the child j looking very wretched and miserable a short time before it died. I have reasoned with her and told her she was neglecting her children, and it was about that we quarrelled. I went to Mr Gardner, one of the guardians, and complained to him aboil* three months ago. I told Mrs Vincent I was going, and I also went to the doctor. He made no reply. All the children were in a sad condition. The children were all put in a death club just before the first child died. I had a telegram from her, from Swansea, saying she was going to stay there all night, and asking me to look after the children. I have known her lock the children in the house while she has been out with other people. David Morris deposed I lodge in Old Market- street. I am a joiner. I know Mrs Vincent. I have called frequently at her house. I have stayed till 10 or half pass 10 at night. I have stopped there all night on several occasions. I know she had money from her husband, and I know that I have given her some also. I never took any money from her. I never said I had taken all the money she had from her. I went to Swansea with Mrs Vincent about eight or nine months ago. I stayed there all night.- I have seen Alice, the child who died the other day. Mrs Vincent was always com- plaining about the child being ill. I have seen her feed it with broth that she got 'from the tin- man's, as she did not happen to have any herself. She told me that her husband had left her. I never slept with her on any occasion but once, atd that was in Swansea one night. I used to sleep in a chair at the house, when I went and stayed there. I am married. I had never given her daughter n. The meals I had have been at my own lodgings with Mrs Vincent. 0

THE AUSTRIAN occup ATrON OF BOSNIA. The advices received at Belgrade on Friday from Bosnia and Herzegovina represent the insurrection in those provinces as assuming very considerable proportions. The Mahomedan clergy are preach- ing a holy war against the Austrians, and the in- surgents "are joined by numbers, both of the Nizams, Regulars, and the Mustahrfiz men of the territorial army. Mahomeaam and Christians, without distinction, rally to the insurgent standard in defence of Bosnian nationality. The same ac- counts state that on Wednesday a body of Austrian troops in Bosnia were surrounded by 3,000 Nizams, and a large number of insurgent reinforcements had been sent to the assistance of the Austrians. A telegram from Vienna, dated Saturday, states that the Bosnian Redifs are released from service, well provided with breech-loaders and cartridges in order to take part in the resistance to the Austrian occupation. The engagement on the 7th inst., between the Austrian troops and the insurgents, is stated to have lasted eight hours. It began on the whole line towards 11 a.m. At 2.30 p.m., the enemy was thrown from its first position, at the northern extremity of the Vilja Planina, and forced back, with considerable loss, to his extremely strong position on the height of the pass. At 3.30 p.m. the blockhouse was taken by assault, and a batal- ion of regular Redifs was taken prisoners. At 6 p.m. the enemy upon the whole line was beating a quick retreat, and at seven o'clock in the evening Zepce was occupied by the Austrians. The Mahomedan inhabitants of -the town had fled. The enemy lost numerous killed, and upwards of seven hundred were taken prisoners. The official 0 n report of the engagement of Zepce, dated from that place, says: At midnight fighting commenced at one o'clock on the afternoon of Thursday, amidst a violent storm. The battle terminated at dusk, near the Velga Plarana. The enemy num- bered from 5,000 to 6.000 insurgents, among whom were many Turkish soldiers in uniform. They had four guns and a rocket battery, the fire from which was well directed, its projectiles hitting spots near General Philippovitch. The combat ended with the complete defeat of the Turks. A whole Anatolian battalion of Redifs, to the number of 400, were taken prisoners by ttie-27th Battalion of Austrian Chasseurs. Many irregulars were also captured, and amongst the prisoners are one Turkish major and seven other officers. The loss of the Turks was 500 killed and wounded. The Austrians lost two officers and 50 to 60 men wounded. On Friday the Austrian forces advanced against the strongly-entrenched position of Van- druk. Ten thousand insurgents were engaged in the fighting near Jaige. On Saturday evening news were received at Bucharest from insurgent sources. stating that the number of insurgent Turkish troops, Mahomedan, Arnauts, and Albanians, who have declared them- selves iu favour of Hadji Lodja, exceeds 100,000 men. They are being concentrated in the neigh- bourhood of Hirajcata, and are well provided with arms and munitions, which they have obtained by forcc or otherwise from the Turkish tnagatzhies. The heights and strategic points on the roads lt-ad- ing to Serajevo are occupied and entrenched by insurgents. Insurgent as well as Austrian le- iufom-ments are arriving daily. Additional news were received at Vienna on Sunday, from Magli, statiug that the first cause of the massacre of the Austrian Hussars at that place was a common murder for the sake of robbery. Upon the squadron advancing from the town, the inhabitants of which were believed to be friendly to the Austrians, an iuteudent was left behind with money, amounting to 30,000 florins to buy hay and eorri. This official was murdered and robbed, and it was subsequent to the occurrence only that opposition against the returning squad- ron was organised. A fine of 50,000 florins was imposed upon the town, and all the captured guilty persons were placed before a court martial and shot. The following telegram was received from Con- stantinople on Sunday evening It is positively stated that the Porte has forwarded decisive in- structions by telegraph, yesterday, to Serajevo, declaring it had already come to an arrangement with the Austro-Hungarian Government upon the clauses of the convention which is to be concluded, and that, therefore, the Austro-Hungarian troops enter the country as friends, not as enemies, and consequently that all resistance is purposless and pernicious.