Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

(From Tuesday's Times.) ST. PEJEKSBURG, May 6.—Extreme reserve is at present maintained here regarding the position of affairs, so that it is very difficult to ascertain anything about the progress of the negotiations, hut there is reason to believe that ques- tions of the very highest importance will be practically de- cided in the course of next week. Meanwhile a change is occurring in public opinion. The serious consequences which would inevitably result from a new war are being JUore and more generally recognised, and the desire of a peaceable solution is proportionately on the increase." "VIENNA, May 6th.-Accounts from St. Petersburg still sound rather hopeful, and the reported mission thither of Count Schouvaloff, wnich is anew confirmed, is regarded as a good sign. Opinions seem divided as to whether his visit to the Russian capital is connected with the pourparlers now going on, or whether he goes to take the direction of Foreign Affairs. The first theory, however, is thought the more probable. There is a growing conviction that even if the physical health of the aged Chancellor is restored, he will scarcely be in a condition to resume work so very soon, especially in times so momentous and critical as these; yet there is an impression that all possible con- sideration will be shown him, and that, therefore, the Smperor will as long as possible avoid naming his successor. Naturally, however, should the action of Count Schouvaloff in the present negotiations succeed, he is likely to be looked upon as having qualified himself for the Prince's post. The impression continues that some days will pass before there is likely to be a decided turn in one or the other direction." The most absurd statements have been telegrahed from

mercantile fleet to join the navy. This explains how they ^e able to man the Cimbria and other vessels. — Vanity Pair. t The deaths from typhus fever have been so numerous in

medical staff of the Russian army that there are now 0 appointments waiting to be filled up.— Whitehall Revww. Russian officers who came here (Pera) to-day on account

of the religions fetes all declare that in their camp war is considered to be inevitable. They talked very lightly and boastfully, especially two generals, the whole tenour of hose remarks was that they had conquered this country 3nd meant to keep it.—Correspondent of Daily Telegraph. Hitherto the Russian army has been paid half in coin,

half In paper. I hear from a credible source that an order has been issued that two-thirds of the ordinary pay in time of .peace shall in future be given, this to be paid entirely in Paper."—San Stefano Correspondent of The Times. St. Petersburg, May 6.—Count Schouvaloff is expected

here from London in the course of the present week, and much importance is attached to his visit. It is understood Juat the Count will not prolong his stay at St. Petersburg beyond a fortnight. J Il.

THE COST OF THE WAR. It is all very well for people who are trying to lal up Russian prospects to talk of Attila or Alaric no Three per cents., and waging successful i at8 without paying their soldiers anything at all; ^t one moment's reflection must show that the two are very different. The leader of the Hung or the ^*°ths wanted no Chancellor of the Exoheqner to pheeze money out of merchants and traders to pay his legions. He only pointed to the cities of the old World and showed his warriors their recompense there. n this simple and natural manner they found their pay and their own rations and the hero of the Ntbelungen Lied" made this very Thrace and Mace- donia the Russians now occupy pay, and liberally, too, Or the privilege of being conquered. The sack and Plunder of seventy cities, says the old chronicler, that Were erased and extirpated, paid Attila's soldiers well or their trouble; but the modefti habit of war, though sometimes strained, looks not favourably on such in- ~emnitie8 taken on the spur of the moment, and the tzar's troops cannot be answered so easily as those of his great forerunner in Thrace if their empty stomachs rebel or their empty pockets cry to be filled, bo the report, if true, that it has been found necessary by the controllers of finance at St. Petersburg to dimmish not only the quantity of the Russian soldier's pay, but also to alter to his disadvantage the mode of its pay- meat, is a very serious one indeed. Hitherto he has received his regular pay in time of peace with this dif- ference—that instead of being paid all in coin it has been paid half in paper. But now it appears it is thought necessary at St. Petersburg to put the screw even on the soldier, who has already had so much to suffer and endure. He is to receive only (.wo-thirda of his peace pay henceforward, and that to be paid entirely in paper—a sign that the sinews of war are tailing fast. It is taken for granted, of course, that the Russian soldier will submit, and cheerfully too, to any decree, however hard, of his 11 little father," but such action on the part of the executive ■hows that the cost of the war is beginning to tell. It Would be strange indeed if it were not. The cost of armies in Roumania, Bulgaria, and Roumelia amounts, according to the St. Petersburg Gazette, *280,000 sterling per day, and the expenses in Asia be in like propoortion. The Russo-Turkish war tBelf, which lasted just 322 days, cost 800,000,000 roubles, thereby increasing the National Debt by Pearly one-half.—Globe.

SOUTH SEA RISKS, The Melbourne Argun states that the New Guinea mis- lonary lugger Mayri was attacked by natives off Stacey on the 29th of December. Captain Dudfield gives the "blowing account 'Whileanchored at Stacey Island, where the Rev. • Chalmers and wife and four native teachers are stationed, on the afternoon of Saturday, the 29th of December,, sent three of my black crew to cut wood, Myself and another native only remaining on board. ^Qe Stacey Island native came off to barter. I told tne cook to give him the wood, and he lay down in the t? ,ter a few minutes a spear was thrown in •he oabin and struck me on the left side. Another went into mv ric-ht thigh On tn»nin0 1- —.3- gun 1 received another spear in the left shoulder and pother through the hand. I fired several shots and tried to get on deck. There I found six or eight Natives, and received a wound in the foot, severing all the tendons of the toes. We wounded several and billed one. They then left, and I saw 200 or 300 natives on the shore. Mr. Chalmers came off, and in- formed me that the natives were launching war canoes, d insisted upon my leaving. I pressed him to come With his wife and th$teachers, but he refused to desert his post. Mr. Goldie's party returned upon hearing this, and grave fears are entertained for the of Mr. Chalmers and party." Captain Dudfield J maimed for life.

THE FORCES OF RUSSIA. The Cologne Gazette estimates the army which Russia can place in the field at present at 600,000 men. This Strength may be maintained, but cannot be increased, !*he Russian forces now in European Turkey and Roumania amount to twelve and a half army corps— 312,000 men. About 100,000 men must be employed for the occupation of Asiatic Turkey; so that only 8e,Ven and a half army corps-187,500 men—remain till disposable. In case of war with England the Russian troops could not be withdrawn from Aurkey and Roumania. The disposable seven and a half army corps would then be employed for occupying the coasts of the Black Sea and the and St. Petersburg and Moscow, Where recent events have shown the presence of very dangerous elements, wonld also require strong garri- 80ns. Russia could therefore, in case of war with Eng- maintain her present position, but would have forces—not to speak of an Indian campaign—for taking prq-autionary measures against Austria, at Whose mercy she would be, if Austria resolved on war- lUce measures.—Pall Mall Gazette.

a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, held -Edinburgh on Monday nigfit, a resolution was adopted (^pressing profound regret at the step taken by the Grand ^«ent of France in removing from its constitution those K^ragraphs which assert_ a belief in the existence of God. A?** Grand Lodge, while it was always anxious to receive in mQlt fraternal spirit the brethren of any foreign Grand an £ <?e whose proceedings were conducted according to the thn '^dmarks of the order, of which a belief in God was J*9 first and most important, stated that it could not recog- aS true and genuine brethren any who had been in- l^tod in lodges which either denied or IgnoifeU that

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. I The HOUSE OF COMMONS reassembled on May 6, after the Efcottr Racers. The first business on the Paper was the Civil Service Estimates, but the early psrt of the slit-lug was occupied in au animated conversation on the recent in&vs- ment of troops from India to Malta. In the first place Sir Harcourt gave notice that he would ask on Tuesday under what Mutiny Act the9e troops will be governed, aud Mr. J. Holms also gave notice of a similar question, Mr. Whitwell intimated that he should Mk whether and when a Supplementary Estimate would be proposed; and Mr. Laing said he would ask the (10- vernment to arrange for an early day when the policy f the measure could be discussed. The Marquis of Hartiugton (who on rising was received with cheers), said,—1 beg to ask the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is able to give the House auy information respecting the new negotiations which are stated to be in progress between her Majesty's Government and the Government of Russia. and whether he is able to hold out any hope of the early assembling of the European Congress. I should wish also to ask the right hon. gentleman a question, of which I have given him private notice, relating to a subject which it is desirable should be explained as speedily as possible. That question is whether he is able to say why the decision of Her Majesty's Government to despatch a force of Indian Native troops to Malta was not communicated to Parliament before the Recess—(hear, hear)—the public announcement that that step would be taken not having been made until the day after Parliament separated for the holidays. (Cheers.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied that active ne- gotiations had been and were now going on, but it would be highly disadvantageous to the public service to have a general discussion upon them at the present moment. The despatch of a certain number of Indian troops to Malta Was decided upon some time ago; but it was not thought necessary, nor was it according to practice, to communicate it to Parliament. A Supplementary Estimate for the cost of the movement would be laid before the House, and .that would be a favourable oppor- tunity for discussing the subject. Adverting to the com- plaint made by Mr. Bright during the Recess that he had deceived the House, the Chancellor expressed a hope that Mr. Bright, if he had any charge to make of that kind, would repeat it in the House, and in a form which would give him an opportunity of meeting 1t. Mr. i awcett declined to wait for the Estimate, but moved the adjournment of the House in order to protest against the manner in which he and others had been misled by the reticence of the Government as to this particular step, and also by the Chancellor's declaration that there had been no change in the Ministerial policy. lo summon an indefinite number of Indian soldiers to take part in an European contest, he contended, was a change of enormous importance, and he dwelt on the objec- tiolls to it from a constitutional and financial point of view. There was no precedent for it, and, on the whole, he would have preferred that millions of English money should have been wasted. Sir G. Campbell also complained of the want of notice, and dwelt on the great cost of the movement, which he predicted would amount to millions. He admitted, however, that at a proper time, and for a proper purpose, it might be per- missible to relieve the strain on the population Great Britain by the employment of Indian troops but he denied that this was a proper opportunity for trying the experi- ment At the same time, he maintained that, owing to the peculiar condition of the Indian Army, it must always be a difficult and dangerous expedient and criticizing the com- position of the Force, he asserted that not above two batta- lions were fit for European service. Sir W. Harcourt, while guarding himself against express- ing any opinion at the present moment hostile to the policy of the Government, commented on the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it was not necessary to communicate it to Parliament, contending that it amounted to a claim on the part of the Crown to the right to move the whole of the Indian Army to any place—even to Eng- land-for any purpose whatever without the sanction of Parliament. The Honse ought not to accept the situation of being told by the Government that a step of this gravity could be determined on without its knowledge. The Chancellor of the Exchequer fully admitted thajLit was within the duty and the right of the House to calTTor ample explanation and discussion, but the step, though im- portant, was neither more nor less than a direction of the Queen that one portion of her army should be moved from one part of her domiuions to another. It was subject to the financial control of Parliament, but it was an order strictly within the constitutional prerogative of the Crown. Pre- maturely to have disclosed this movement when it was decided on would have interfered with the arrangements necessary to be made in India, and though the Government was taken somewhat by surprise when it became public, even if he had foreseen that publication, he should not have felt it necessary to make any communication to the House. Re- plying to Sir W. Harcourt, he pointed out that the intro- duction of Indian troops into this country would be contrary to the Bill of Eights, and the Act of 1859 would prevent the Indian Revenues being made liable for troops employed out of India The entire cost of the movement would be de- frayed out of Imperial Funds, and the necessary Supple- mentary Estimates had been contemplated in the Bud&et cal- ralaUons The troops would be under the Indian Mutiny Act He' repeated that there had been no change in the policy of the Government and that there was no fresh came for anxiety. They were endeavouring to bring about a peaceful settlement and they still continued to hope for it, but they had never concealed that it might be necessary to take measures ot precaution, and this was one of them. Mr. Laing had no doubt that it was within the power of the British Crown to call upon the Indian troops, as had been the case in the present instance, but he believed the step was fraught with most momentous issues. In the first place, it was a reversal of previous policy, and before it was adopted the view of Parliament upon the subject ought to have been taken. Sir J. May said a great deal had been said about bringing Indian troops to Kurope, but he supposed, geographically speaking, Malta was really Africa, and-it should be borne in mind that Indian iroops were employed in the China wars, in Abyssinia, and iu Persia and this could therefore not be termed an experiment. He, therefore, believed that the action of the Government could be generally com- mended. (Hear) > ø Mr. Newdegate said it "blight be quite right to employ these troops, hut thought the Imperial Parliament ought to have been previously informed of the step it was intended to take. Mr. Rylands believed that when the announce ment was made that Indian troops were to he brought into Europe there was a general feeling throughout the country that there had been a suppressio veri on the part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in refer- ence to the information he gave before the holidays. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had assured the House that any important information that could he communi- cated he would take care that the House should be in- formed of, and yet, in the face of that statement, the important fact the subject of discussion had been withheld from them. He did not charge the front Bench with intend- ing to mislead the House, but it had happened more than once that language was used by members of the Government which was open to misinterpretation. He believed the order- r ing of the troops from India involved a great Constitutional question. Mr. Baillie Cochrane said he was glad the Government had taken the step referred to, because it showed the noble spirit animating the Indian Army. Had the House been informed of the measure beforehand it would certainly have been opposed by gentlemen opposite, and most miBchieveus discussions would have taken place—dis- cussions which would have trammeled and hampered the Government, and might have led the Russian Govern- ment to suppose that the country was divided in their sup- port of the Ministerial policy. (Dear, hear ) He could not comprehend why members should come down to the House, and, after attacking the policy of the Government, go away without venturing to ask for a division. If gentlemen oppo- site really believed that the country was with them, why dId they not bring it to an issue by a vote of the House ? Sir R. Peel observed that the discussion which had taken place might be ve niovement of native troops from Indian nonow thing. They had been in Abyssinia and in China • and what had been done now was not to bring them to England as had been suggested, but to Malta, for any purpose for which they might be required. He could not conceive anybody getting up and conscientiously believing that it was unconstitutional to employ these troops in the service of the State for if these troops were to be available for the defence of our great empire, it could not be wrong to employ them on this great service. (Hear, hear.) It would relieve the strain on England, and he could not see the slightest objection to the policy, (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. Jenkins made some observations, and Mr. Fawcett, in withdrawing the motion for adjournment, gave notice that he would move a Resolution, and also that he would renew the discussion on the third reading of the Budget Bill. In answer to Mr. T. Hankey, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer said hejmderstood that the dog licences would be issued for the usual year as heretofore those taken out be- fore the 1st of June would hold good for the year, and those taken out after the 1st of June would hold good for the re- mainder of the current financial year. The House subsequently went into Committee of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates, and the remainder of the evening was spent in discussing votes in Class 2 (Public Offices). The House adjourned at a quarter past one o'clock.

A NEW TORPEDO BOAT AND EXPLOSIVE. A new torpedo boat, designed to work under water, has just been brought under the notice of the Admi- ralty, and a model 4ft. 8in. long has been made. 1 he boat was originally designed by the late Lord Milton, who was well known at Wentworth Woodhouse for his skill as a mechanic, assisted by Mr. Turner, of the same place, and recently improved by Mr. Councillor White, of Thorpe, near Rotheram. The new torpedo boat is intended to work under water by means of compressed air, and in every respect resembles a hage fish. In the fore-part or head there are two large eyes, from which raJiate a strong electric light that will exhibit the keel of an enemy's vessel for a considerable distance, while a powerful ram is placed just above, capable of pene- trating an armour-clad. In what may be termed the nostril, there is a revolving-gun worked by hydraulic power and fired by electricity with a new explosive, one noijiiii tlf whwOi. ;» .1- I-, .1;al,l-l 1:.1'" tons of iron stone in sitn. The tail plays an important part, for it is not only the propeller, but being per- forated on either side serves to expel either water or foul air. There are no masts, the .deck being level, while inside the boat is divided into compartments, charged with compressed air. The boat is sunk to the depth required by taking water in at the bottom, and she then could remain under water, Mr. White states, from three to nine hours, while in attaeking a vessel the speed would be about 18 knots an hour. The gun, which was the invention of Lord Milton, differs from all others. It is rotatory, but has four chambers, placed like the spokes of a wheel, so that while one shot is being fired, a second is being charged, a third apunged, and a fourth cleaned, so that the shots can be fired in rapid succession. Such is a brief outline of the latest invention con- nected with torpedoes, the inventors of which state that they can prove that it can accomplish all that has been said it was capable of doing.

WAR INDEMNITIES. The Bullionist remarks :—"The demand for an in- demnity on the part of Russia is alike unprecedented and unreasonable and monstrously unjust. We do not particularly profess to admire the way in which the triumphant Germans dealt with conquered France in 1871; but there was something to be said for the exaction of the five milliards. Not Germany but France was the aggressor, and Germany might and did feel that she was reluctantly forced into a fight she was anxious to avoid by the requirements of dynastic ambition and the necessity Napoleon III. felt he was under of strengthening his throne. Seeing that Germany took the provinces of Alsace and Lor- raine as well, the demand for a war indemnity was felt to be sufficiently hard in any case. But the shadow of a reason which Germany had cannot be said to exist at all in the case of Turkey, seeing that she was forced into a fight in defence of her own in- tegrity and existence, and it is hard to be compelled to pay the expenses incurred by the conqueror for the privilege of successful aggression and the partition of the territory of his defeated foe. So flagrant a vio- lation of elementary justice may well invite a protest from all the independent Powers of Europe."

For the illuminations in Paris at the opening of the Exhibition, one house alone Sold 60,000 Vehetian lanterns.

THE- BISHOP OF MANCHESTER AND CHURCH PROPERTY, The Bishop of Manchester has addressed a letter to the Rev. Dr. Gatty, vicar of Ecclesfleld, with reference to a statement made in that vilhuje by a liberatlc-tlst lecturer. His lordship writes ■ I cannot conceive what use a liberationist lec- turer as such, could make of so obvious a truism as my statement that the Church of England is an abstract idea, and materially and legally is incapable of holding property. If anybody, I added by way of illustration, were to bequeath by will 210,000 to 'the Church of England,' it would, I believe, be a void bequest, for there is nobody, with a legal entity, of that name that could claim it. The property, I proceeded to argue, that is vaguely called 'The property, of the Church of England' is the property of various cerporations, aggregate and sole, within the Church of England, and 9 was either originally vested in those corporations or has been transferred to them. Of the latter class are such corporations as the Ecclesiastical Commissioners or the Governor's of Queen Anne's Bounty; of the former class are the whole body of incumbents. You will not find a single acre of land or a single pound of annual income standing in the name or paid to the ac- count of the Church of England.' The first of my arguments was to show the origin of what is called Church property,' that it is not strictly Church pro- perty at all, but property conveyed by will or gift to particular corporations by private benefactors for the spiritual benefit of particular localities; and I referred, in proof, to the preamble of the great Statutes of Provisors (<25 Edward III., cap. 6), which, speaking of the 'foundation of the Church of England in the estate of prelacy within this realm,' adds, 'and certain possessions, as well in fees, lands, rents as in advowsons, .vhich do extend to a great value, were assigned by the said founders (the King's grandfather, and his progenitors, and the earls, barons, and other nobles of the realm and their ancestors) to the prelates and other people of the Holy Church to sustain the same charge, and especially the possessions which were assigned to archbishop3, bishops, abbots, priors, religious, and all other people of Holy Church.' I repeat I cannot see how a dry legal matter of fact statement of this kipd, which was merely made to clear away vague notions which exist on the subject of Church property, can serve the purpose of a Libera- tionist lecturer. It is simply the statement of an in- disputable fact, adverse, no doubt, to the theory that the State, as such, endowed the Church, as such, but not (so far as I can see) otherwise bearing on the point at issue."

THE FAMILIES OF THE RESERVE MEN. On the above eiibitef, T'll' Tij*es pnblisb^R the loiiowing letter:— Sir,—Applications for charitable assistance have been made by the wives of privates in the Army Reserve who have recently been called out. It may. therefore, be of some interest to your readers to know the exact circumstances in which, in fulfilment of their contract with the Government, theae men now leave their families. Irrespective of what he may earn by the employ- ment he takes up after he has joined the Reserves, each private in the Reserve forces receives 4d. a day Reserve and 2d. a day deferred pay. This deferred pay is handed to him i. a lump sum at the end of the financial year-i.e., on the 31st of March —or when he is called out. If, therefore, a private joined the colours on the 19th of April last, he might be able to leave his wife his deferred pay for the past year, C3 10d., and he would have also at his disposal 9s. 6d., the Reserve and deferred pay for 19 days. From the 19th of April his wife would receive from the Government 6d. a day for herself and 2d. a day for each of her children. Her husband from that day womld receive Is. a day and a free ration. Out of this shilling he would have to pay 5d. a day for "messing -i.e., for vegetables, salt, &c., and washing. On joining he would have a free kit, and for the first few months would not have to make any deduc- tions for other expenses. On the remaining 7d., the balance of his day's pay, the only charges would pro- bably be 3d. or 4d. for beer and tobacco. He would thus have 3d. or 4d. a day to send to his wife. This, however, is the lowest he can earn. He would, in all probability, have previously served five years with the colours, and in that case it would be his own fault if he did not possess two good-conduct badges and 2d. a day more. In these circumstances his wife might be in receipt of about Is. a day, with 2d. extra for each of her children.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. S. LOCH, Secretary. Society for Organizing Charitable Relief and Repressing Mendicity, May 3.

THE EMPLOYMENT OF INDIAN TROOPS IN EUROPE. The Times (in a leader on Monday) discussing the policy of the employment of Indian soldiers for the special kind of service to which the troops on their way to Malta are destined, and the abstract right of so employing them, observes that the view we take on the first of these points must be determined by our general view as to the nature of our Indian Empire. If the feeling of India is so entirely hostile to us that we are in real danger from any development of the resources of India, or if the military spirit of India can be aroused only to be turned ultimately against ourselves, the doubt suggests itself whether we have any right to hold the country at all. In most matters, however, relating to India we have been proceeding on the very course which is now pronounced unsafe. We have done all we could to improve the material position of India. We have been educating the natives of India, imper- fectly, indeed, but to the best of our power. We have aimed at carrying on the administration of India with the largest possible amount of native help. If we are to follow a policy of repression and to keep India down to the point which may best suit our own con- venience, we must confess to a good many past mis- takes and must retrace our steps in civil as well as in military matters. As for the doubt whether Asiatic soldiers can rightly be employed against Europeans, we can attach no great weight to it. If the soldiers we have just summoned to Malta are called upon to fight at all, it will be against a Power which is not entirely European. Europeans and Asiatics will, in fact, be engaged against Europeans and Asiatics on the other side, and, as Mr. Bourke very truly observed at King's Lynn last week, they will be as well disciplined and as humane as any they will be called upon to meet. As to the constitutional question, we may be quite certain that if Parliament expresses its dis. approval of what the Government has done, the whole business will be at an end, and the troops will be sent back again. » The Times (in a leader on Tuesday) is not surprised

at the discussion which was raised yesterday with re- ference to the despatch of Indian troops to the Medi. terranean. It thinks, indeed, with due deference to Sir Robert Peel, that it was proper for many reasons. The circumstances of the case were sufficiently novel to warrant it. But though the inquiry was justifiable, the defence was sufficient. As for the cry that the native army of India may be employed some day to crush English liberty, The Times cannot profess to be alarmed by it. It is an extreme instance of suscep- tibility on the part of those ty whom it has been raised. On the other hand, one cannot but feel that it would have been better and more respectful to Parliament if the Government had seen fit to give the information the withholding of which was made matter of com- plaint yesterday. Technically, no dpubt, the Govern- ment may have been within its right, but it is not well that the occasion should be needlessly created for re- sorting to a defence of this kind. Nothing would have been lost by an early and frank statement, and a cause of irritation would have been avoided which the Government at the present crisis is not doing wisely to excite. It was a mistake on the part of the Go- vernment to keep Parliament in the dark. The penalty is to be found in the course of the debate of yesterday, and it will be found again when the opportunity for discussion is given which the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer promises.

DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN ON THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS. On Saturday afternoon Mr. John Nickelvie, coroner, held an inquest at the" Evaadale Head Hotel on the body of the Rev. James Jackson, of Sand with, aged 82 years, who was found on Friday lying dead on the mountains at Ennerdale, near Pillar Rock, where Mr. Barnard, of London, last year lost his life. It appears that the deceased started from home on Tuesday in last week, and arrived at Wasdale Head the same night. At five o'clock on Wednesday morning he started for the Pillar Rock, which it has been his custom to climb annually on the 1 st of May. He did not return to Waadale Head that night, as he had promised, and as fears were then entertained for Jhis safetv. oauvii WM uiaue ior mm on Tnursday, but it was unsuccessful. Search was again made on Friday, when his dead body, sadly mangled, was discovered by John Jenkinson, of Burnthwaite, and Isaac Fletcher, of Wasdale Head, about 400 yards from Pillar Rock. He had apparently fallen down a very steep place two or three hundred yards high. They found some hair on a rock about a hundred yards above the body, and part of his head and face was knocked away. His watch had stopped at three o'clock. A bottle con- taining the folowing verse, which deceased had evi. dently intended to deposit on Pillar Rock, was pro- duced at the inquest Two elephantine properties are mine; I can bend to pick up pin or plack; and when this year the Pillar Rock I climb, our score and two's the howdah on my back. Date of the third ascent, May, 1878." A stick deceased had with him was found about one hundred yards above him. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." The deceased was formerly incumbent of Rivington, in Lancashire, but resigned some time since, and he then went to live at Sandwith, near Whitehaven, where he was popularly known as the "Patriarch of the Pillarites." He had travelled a good deal abroad, and contributed occasion- ally verse to the newspapers.

TELEGRAPH STAMPS. J. A. C." writeB to The Times .— Sir,—The Post Office is causing a good deal of public inconvenience by indulging in such erratic changes as have recently been adopted. The creation of special telegraph stamps and for- bidding the use for that purpose of postage stamps is particularly inconvenient, and has thrown out of circulation the well-appreciated "shilling stamp" which was available for either telegraph or post, or in remitting small sums. We now have to provide three kinds of telegraph stamps, in addition to postage." The reduction of the registration fee and keeping the commission upon money-orders at its present absurdly high rate are grave errors of judgment. Re- mittances of coin are now reaching me in registered letters as the cheaper mode of conveyance. This may grow to dangerous dimensions, and was scarcely fore- seen, one would suppose. A very large experience teaches me that postage stamps ought to be allowed for telegrams, ana that a universal fee of 2d. for each money-order, irrespective of amount, would make (hat branch a success.

RUSSIAN ?RIVATE £ RS. The St. Petersburg Corretpcndent of the TempsWtifes I doubt neither the patriotism nor the generosity nor even the latent resources of Russia. The most difficult part will not bt to get together sufficient money to purchase a certain number of ships, but the principal thing to think cf will be the crews: and the 'in maritime population of Russia is certainly not numerous. They will wait men, but more especially experienced commanders. According to the law, the captain of a Russian ship must be a Russian, a fourth part of the sailors only may be foreigners. Now it may be that the captains of cruisers might be re- farded by their adversaries, if they were not iussians, as outlaws, and be treated as such should they fall into their -hands, and this even- tuality may seriously interfere with the recruitment of captains and crews of other nationalities. I must ad- mit that I, who look at tlugs in an ordinary manner and by the light of common sense, am much struck to see this nautical agitation in Russia supported by per- sons of no ordinary merit. For instance, here is a distinguished professor of the University of St. Petersburg, who may possibly be able to distinguish the bowsprit from the miattirnast, but he would be perfectly incapable of ezpMning how to take in a reef of the jibsail, or to pat about under the maintop- gallant sail. These are problems which, in order to be solved, require some maritime knowledge. One must have chewed much tobacco in order to solve them with success. A publicist, M. Skalkovski, has just delivered a lecture on the usefulness of cruisers. As amongst the audience were to be seen such sailors as Vice Admirals Andreyeff and Boutakof, as well as Captain Baranof, it may be supposed that the system advocated by the lecturer had something good in it. But the basis of all these dissertations is a pamphlet of Admiral Runskij Korsakoff, which appeared in 1863. The Admiral recommended the employment of light vesbels, quick enough to outrun the quickest steam-packets, distributed in squadrons, each composed of five frigates and five smaller vessels. But there is a point to which we must draw attention. How are these ships to procure their supplies out of the Baltic and the Black Sea, where their presence would be useless, for it is not there that they would find the most work ? To this it is replied—At the ex- pense of the enemy and bv the aid of the captures which they would.make; and, secondly in neutral ports, where the regular ships of war of belligerent Powers have the right of stayiiig,4 hours. As this delay is very short, the captain would take care to send an officer in advance by land to make contracts for the necessary supplies, and make every preparation for the moment when the cruisers shall arrive. A third means of supply is by transports sailing under a neutral flog, which having received oeorrt- Instructions will repair to a certain point of longitude and latitude. But all this is too complicated. A cruiser would thus always be at the mercy of an accident, which might force it to enter a port from which it could not depart. In war there must be a basis of operations, and the Russian cruisers would not possess this, Moreover, we can see by the language of the British Chancellor of the Exchequer that the English are in no way alarmed at these grand projects. It can certainly not be pre- dicted that in case of war the Russians would not be able to do any injur) to their enemies. They would attempt something, and they might here and there gain some success but I am persuaded that they are abandoning themselves to pleasant dreams." I

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ELE- MENTARY SCHOOLS. The importance of religious education in elementary schools formed the subject of a speech by Earl Fortescue at Barnstaple on Saturday, and on Monday the Ven. Archdeacon Sanders, in his visitation charge to the clergy of the archdeaconry of Exeter, said he believed the voice of the country generally had decided in favour of religious education in ele- mentary schools, and that their opponents had, at least for the present, acquiesced in the system. But there were difficulties in the way. He had strong reason to believe-in the words of one of the diocesan inspectors—that a crisis was at hand in many parishes and he would earnestly call on those who were convinced, as he was, that the voluntary school was the best for supplying definite religious instruction not to transfer their schools until every measure to avert such a step had been tried and had failed. It was with especial reference to this matter that the Diocesan Conference was called into existence. He was sorry to say that the interest at first excited in the minds of Churchmen had flagged-as was, indeed, anticipated—and they had now fairly before them the question whether or not they would permit the means of promoting and maintaining religious instruction in schools to be crippled by lack of pecuniary support. There 'fft'P. now no funds in hand to pay the current quarterly salaries of the inspectors. The amount required for all purposes was 91,200 a year, and he advocated the formation in every deanery of a board of educa- tion, which should have special charge of this subject. The Archdeacon appealed to the clergy to look well after the religious instruction of pupil teachers in schools in which they are interested. ——— 1-"

THE ARMY AND MILITIA RESERVES. The Duke of Cambridge has drawn the attention of commanding officers of regular regiments of the army to the fact that many of the men from the militia re- serve have been non-commissioned officers in the militia, and are well reported on by their late com- manding officers. The Commander-in-Chief considers that the opportunity may now be taken, under the increased establishment of regiments, for promoting to substantive or lance rank such of these men as are found efficient. From some battalions complaints have been received of the ditficulty in obtaining good non-commissioned officers, and of the youth and in- experience of many of those appointed. The present occasion appears suitable for meeting this want, and there can be no doubt that any such recognition of the efficiency of the militia would have a good effect in that force generally. A War Office circular says that it does not appear to be generally known that the allowance of 6d. a day to the wives, and 2d. a day for each child, granted to the families of men of the first-class army reserve can be drawn at once by the families concerned. Applica- tion should be made to the staff officers of pensioners in the case of army reserve men and to adjutants of militia in the case of militia reserve men.

THE WRECK OF THE EURYDICE. PORTSMOUTH, May 5. It s six weeks to-day since the Eui vdice sank, and, so far from the wreck being nearer the surface, it has become embedded still deeper in sand and clay. Three hundred tons was the strain estimated at the last attempt to raise the vessel, but experience has been gained by the failure, and the authorities are providing a lifting power of 1,000 tons for the next attempt. Toggles are to be inserted in each porthole, and hawsers attached to them as well as passed under the ship. The lifting power thus obtained will be tremendous, and, unless some parts of the vessel are carried away by the enormous strain, the wreck » almost certain to be lifted. Larger steel hawsers are to be used, and in consequence of the increased amount of lift, additional lighters are being prepared. It is proposed to take out the fore and mizen masts before lifting the ship. Although the extent of the requirements of the re-

lief cannot even now be fully known, it has been proved that 43 widows and 50 children have been rendered destitute, and appeals for help have come from 57 mothers, six sisters, and five other relatives.

"THE BETTER THE DAY THE BETTER THE DEED.' —A correspondent of Notes e;-Ytd gs&eries says-" I have always attached to the above proverb meanings such as these :—1. By way of precept: that the better daj demands the better deed as, remember the Sabbatr day to keep it holy. 2. With reference to opportune- ness, the better day' is the present, and a good deec is better for being done at once much as one says, 1 Bis da*, qui cito dat.J 3. By way of association s deed indifferent in itself derives a character of better from being found in a series of good or pleasurable actions, which impart to it their own peculiar tone, On festive days the proverb is often thus used as en joining or excusing some detail of conviviality. 4. Bj a reflex action of the sentence, it may be said that th« day on which the better deed' is done derives from il I a proportionate dignity and botour,"

OUR NAVAL FORCES IN THE INDIA AND CHINA SEAS. The Bombay Gazette says Some authentic details regarding the strength of her Majesty 's vesseia cf waj stationed in Indian waters wiU just now be interest ing to most readers. We find thpt Admiral Corbett has at his disposal eleven vessels carrying 96 guns, while on the China station England has twenty-two war vessels carrying 121 guns, besides the Penelope, an ironclad carrying eleven guns, just ordered thither. There is, of course, some uncertainty about the available Russian naval force in these waters, but it cannot be estimated as exceeding thirteen fighting vessels, carrying 94 guns. The British Pacific squadron consists of eight vessels, carrying 78 guns, also to be reinforced by the ironclad Triumph, carrying 14 guns. The Russian squadron which left the Baltic for America last year consisted of seven vessels. Even if these reinforcements could join the Russian ships in Eastern waters, it appears that altogether the British naval forces in the India and China seas are quite strong enough to meet any. thing that an enemy can bring against them. For better precaution, however, it would be well to send out an ironclad to strengthen the East Indian squadron.

ANTI-WAR AND ARBITRATION CONFERENCE. In London, on Saturday, at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon-street, an Anti-War and Arbitration Conference was held, and was very numerously at- tended. Air. Joseph Arch, who presided, said that the artisan classes throughout the country and the Nonconformists had come forward and given in their protests against unnecessary war, and the agricultural labourers throughout the length and breadth of the land had now, through their delegates, taken the opportunity of expressing their views upon the stern question of the hour. It could not be said that the men attending that meeting were paid agitators," for their hands were the day before at the plough or spade tilling'the soil, and they would return to that work on the Monday and it could not be said that they were lukewarm in the cause of peace, seeing that many had walked from three o'elock in the morning to reach a railway station, and some had journeyed all night. The following resolutions were proposed and passed That this Conference, representing a class of men whom the Government consider unfit to vote—although good enough to fight-enters its solemn protest against the policy of the Government in delaying the settle- ment of the Eastern difficulty as paralyzing to industry, aggravating the terrible distress from which large masses of working men are now suffering, and fraught with danger to the peaee of Europe." 61 That we altogether repudiate the statements re- peatedly made by the Government and its organs, that their war preparations are made in the interests of peace, being fully convinced that increased expendi- ture, calling out of the Reserves, and bringing troops from India, instead of being peace-preserving, are war-provoking measures; eminently calculated to irritate and provoke a collision which the Government profess themselves anxious to avoid. And that, while we have no love for the form of Government which exists in Russia, and emphatically condemn tyranny and cruelty, whether practised by the Russian, British, or any other Government, we utterly despise the barbarism of Turkey, which centuries of experience proves is ineapable of improvement." That should the Government persist in its refusal to adjust its differences with Russia, either by means of a Congress or by arbitration as provided in the Treaty of Paris, and war be the result, the members o< this Conference solemnly pledge themselves to use all the influence they possess to induce their fellows in the agricultural district&to strike against war by not enlisting, and to leave those who have made the quarrel to fight it out themselves." An anti-war conference was also held on Saturday

at Leeds, convened by the local branch of the Work- men's Peace Association. Three hundred delegates, representing the chief towns in the north and north- west of the kingdom, were present. A letter was read from Mr. John Bright, excusing himself for not attend- ing, but sympathising with the objects of the meeting. A conference of working men was heli in the Odd

Fellows' Hall, Edinburgh, on Saturday evening, with reference to the policy of the Government. There was a large attendance, and resolutions were adopted to the effect that the Conference expressed its strong conviction that the prolonged depression of trade is largely due to the uncertainty caused by the present policy of the Government, emphatically protested against its military preparations and extravagant ex- penditure as costly, irritating, and provocative of war, and also expressed its deep sense of the debt of grati- tude which the country owed to Lords Derby and Carnarvon for their strenuous and persevering efforts in the cause of peace, and recorded its thanks to Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, and other members of Parlia- ment for the course that they had taken in rogard to the Eastern Question. On Saturday night a meeting of representative

working men was held in Glasgow, when resolutions were passed expressing their strong conviction that the long depression of trade was due to the uncertainty caused by the policy of the Government, and that its military preparations and extravagant expenditure was costly, irritating, and calculated to create war that there was no difference between the British and Russian Governments requiring war, that the differ- ences should be referred to arbitration, and that the resolutions should be forwarded to Earl Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury, and to the leaders of the Liberal party.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN, One of the cohgers, weighing twenty-eight pounds, died lately at the Brighton Aquarium. On making an anatomical examination to ascertain the cause of its death it was found that a large fish-hook, the bend of which was embedded in a calculus nearly as large as a walnut, was fixed in the fish, and had caused inflammation and death. This conger was placed in the tank four years ago, and the hook must have been in its body all. that time. Since the 1st inst. the internal postage of all letters in France, including the colony of Algeria, has been reduced from five to three sous: and a letter from France to this country is now charged the same as from England to France-namely, five sous instead of six sous at hereto- fore. We are glad to be able to announce Mr. Ruskin's restoration to health. So complete is it that he is again at work revising and adding "fco the notes by which he has illustrated the exhibition of his Turner drawings.—Tuesday's Times. The journeymen slaters in Dundee, who had been locked out for two months is consequence of their refusal to accept a reduction of wages from 8il. to 8d. per hour, on Monday last intimated their willingness to resume their em- ployment at the reduced rate of pay. A Liverpool music publisher has issued an anti-war song, entitled By Jingo (the words by Air. J. E. M'Ardle). the object of which is to enlist the popular voice and ear in the interest of peace. Mr. Gladstone having been asked to accept the dedication of the song, writes as follows ''Sir,— I am flattered by your request. As to the dedication, pray use your own discretion; but as to the words, I must say that they seem to me to have real merit, both in sound and sense, and to strike the nail on the head.—Yours faithfully, W. E. GLADSTONE." The Prince of Wales is doing his work at Paris right well. He is the only Royal personage who has been heartily cheered and well received. When he drove out frem the Hotel Bristol with the Crown Prince of Denmark on the 1st May to go to the opening ceremony, one might have walked on the people's beads in the Place Y endome, and he was repeatedly cheered.-The World. On Saturday afternoon an explosion occurred at Balham-house, Balham-hill. the residence of Mr. J. M. Holt, M.P. It is said that the accident happened iu the course of some experiments which Mr. Holt and a friend were making in reference to signalling at sea. Mr. Holt's arm was frac- tured, and his face and head were much injured. His friend had his right hand so muck injured that on his removal to Guy's Hospital it was found that amputation was necessary. -Tuesday's Times. The dispute between the Joiners' Society in Man- chester and the employers, which has extended over more than twelve months, has been brought to a termination by the submission of the men. They demanded lOd. per hour, but have agreed to apply for work at 8Jd. A large number of places which were vacated by the strikers have been filled whilst they were out." Clergymen's wives aoross the Atlantic appear to do a fair share of their husbands' Ministerial work. Thus, when the minister of a certain Michigan church was recently un- able to preach, his wife occupied the pulpit, and read one of Mr. Moody's sermons, while at a Methodist church in Con- necticut another lady similarly filled her husband's place when he was absent at a Conference. The legality of femi- nine preaching is to be formally brought before the General Conference which meets at Cincinnati in 1S30. Mr. Fortesque Harrison, M.P., addressed a meeting of his supporters of Kilmarnock on Monday. As to the despatch of Indian troops to Malta, he considered all the talk about enthusiasm on the part of the native troops to fight for the Empress of India was balderdash." The Mohammedans were glad to fight against Russia because tboy looked upon her as the eneiny nf their religion, and the Hiuaoos lIecltulW uiey received extra pay; but neither would fight for us because they like! us. If there was no fighting to be done, they would return to India discontented. Scientific interest has been excited in Russia by the discovery, during some excavations at St. Petersburg, of an almost perfect skeleton of a mammoth. Frozen remains of this antediluvian animal are, as is well known, constantly found in Arctic Siberia-in many instances with the flesh and skin in a good state of preservation-but this is the firit instance of a complete mammoth having been found in European Russia.-J:ayjair. A moving town is reported from across the Atlantic, where Virginia City, in Nevada, is stated to be slowly mov- ing down hill. One hotel in the town has moved five inches since it was built, whilst a crack in the ground 6n the west of the city is some three feet lower on one side than on the other. This movement is attributed to the settling of the ground over the Bonanza mines. He is a good young fellow, the Prince Imperial, full of esprit de corps. Of three Artillery officers who wgre selected last week to proceed on special service to the Cape, two were comrades of his own standing and his own par- ticular friends. The Empress sent one of these a present of field-glasses for the campaign, and the Prince himself went down to Southampton to see them embark. There is much just now to induce soldiers to stay within reach of European lighting; but these young subalterns who have gone to the Cape have a fine chance before them. They are to organise and command battery detachments of two guns each, horsed and manned by local levies. Artillery has yet to play so great a part in this Kaffir war that these young officers will have every opportunity of earning distinction. -The World. A telegram was posted at Lloyd's the other morning from New York, which stated that a report had reached New 1 York from San Francisco that the Oregon Steamship Com- pany's steamer Ajax had been sold at San .Francisco to I parties unknown, but who are presumed to have been agents acting on behalf of the Russian Government. The Ajax is a wooden propeller of 1,354 tons burden, 440 horse power, constructed of white oak timber, with Ifon strapping on frame. She Is 14 years old, having been built at New York > n 1864. i A wages dispute has arisen between the manufac- r turers in the district of Huddersfield of middle-class cloths and their hands. The masters have given notice of a reduc- tion in wages of 10 per cent., and the men have resolved to | strike. Between 6,000 and 7,000 persons will be affected by the disagreement. An extraordinary case of preserving meat for a long. J period is that of the cargo of the Paraguay, a vessel which left the River Plate freighted with meat and fish at the end of October. She put in at St. Vincent, and, on leaving that port on the 11th of December, she came into collision with another ship and had to put back for repairs. As work- men had to be brought from Europe to do the job, the Paraguay only left St. Vincent for France on the 11th of April, and arrived at Havre on Wednesday last with her ■ cargo in first-rate condition—six months after it was loaded. —Mark Lam Exprm. It was a delightful idea of the proprietor of a I Parisian.hotel, who wished to make everything as attractive as possible to hi English visitors. On the carte was a Parisian.hotel, who wished to make everything as attractive as possible to hi* English visitors. On the carte was a thoroughly Ttiglish entree. It was marked. "Butefesuia }loutcD-eh0p" The Trt-lcr in Pic'o^ia'. TTcr"d. Twenty volunteers have been selected at Ports- mouth for a number of shipwrights to go otit to Benrttda for the purpose of repairing th9 floating dock there. Eijrht shillings a day, a free passage to and from the island, and half-pay in case of accident were offered. Last year, pianos to the amount of 11.380,S50f. were sold in France. Stringed instruments figured for 329,900f. and brass for 3,189,620f. Lastly, l,2S4,703f. were expended on accordeons, and 884.730f. on clarionets-for the blind. A request having been made to the Wolverhampton Commerce by the Board of Trade to forward a return of the average rate of wages earned by the artisan classes in that district, the Chamber declined to do so, on the ground of the difficulty in obtaining the information, and that it would be exceeding their functions. The Leicester Chamber of Agriculture have re- solved that in their opinion the Highway Bill and the clauses referring to the highways in the County Government Bill failed to provide the necessary relief to owners and occupiers of real property from the burdens. thrown upen them in the maintenance of the roads. In London, on Saturday, in Whitefriars, as some workmen were digging, one of them heard his spade ring, and on digging a little further he found a square coffin and the skeleton of a man in a sitting position also a broken sword and some gold ornaments. It is supposed to be a chief of the ancient Britons. A restaurant keeper in Paris has hit upon a very happy expedient, which enables him at once to participate in the extra advantages of an increased influx of strangers to Paris, and yet do justice to his regular clitntele. He has delivered to all the habitual frequenters of his restaurant a card of abonnemtnt.. The possessors of these cards pay the old prices, while the casual visitors and strangers are put upon the advanced scale of dietary. The visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Norwich to help the movement for enlarging the County Hospital has resulted in the determination of the hospital governors to build a new hospital at a cost of £ 86,000. Mr. H. C. Barkley, who during the construction of the railway from Rustchuk to Varna, resided in Northern Bulgaria for a period of seven years, has just published an account of his personal observations and experiences. As the result of his practical acquaintance with the Bulgars, he says, "Personally I have no belief in the view that Turks and Bulgars cannot live together in peace, even after recent events. Give them a good and just Government, and equal rights, and the natural docility of the two races will very soon cause them to submit to law and to settle down quietly. 1 have seen Turks and Bulgars live in harmony'for ten years in the same village; and, if for ten years, why not for twenty, or for always T The prospect of a war between England and Russia has caused such universal excitement among the natives of Southern India, according to the Times of India, that no other subject whatever is discussed. If you enter a court of justice, magistrates and clerks are absorbed in war news at a police station, inspectors and subordinates are simi- larly occupied; in a bazaar street, bazaar-man and pur- chaser are conversing on the same subject; while the letter peons of the post office gather round one of their number, who reads and explains to them the latest telegrams con- cerning the Eastern Question. It appears from intelligence received at Lloyd's from the T'nited States, that the German barque, Jupiter, Captain Jachens, which left Bremerhaven for New York in January last, had not arrived at her destination up to the date of the last mail advices, and it is feared she has been lost in the Atlantic with all her crew. She was a large vessel, with a carrying capacity of about 1,200 tons. We have been told by a friend that he sends news by telegrams concerning the state of affairs in the East to a gentleman living in Constantinople. It indeed appears strange that a man residing in the very centre of the present hotbed of affairs should look to distant England for his news. By having the news by telegram, he is enabled to be au fait with passing events about a week before the news- papers arrive at Constantinople.-PictoHal World. Mr. W. E. Forster, M.P., who lately sustained a fracture of the leg in a carriage accident in the South of France, is going on favourably, and has already been out. He hopes to return to England during the present week. Last month the officers of the Fishmongers' Com pany seized at Billingsgate, London, as unfit for human food, and destroyed, the exceptionally large quantity of 68 tons 14 cwt. of fish, which had been consigned there for sale. Of that, 66 tons came by rail and the remainder by water. The fish included 510 cod, 800 crabs, 6,400 gurnets, 1,456 haddocks, 2,650 herrings, 1,143 lobsters, 598 plaice, 9 skate, 54,500 smelts, 174 thornbacks, and 5,500 whiting; and in addition, 21 barrels of oysters, 8 tons 18 cwt. of dried cod, 1 kit of cod roes, 2 bushels of cockles, 905 bushels of peri- winkles, 44 bushels of whelks, and 770 gallons of shrimps. Viscount Cranbrook has written to the Vice- Chancellor of Oxford University, taking a grateful farewell of that constituency, and expressing the deep sense which he shall ever entertain of the generous appreciation accorded to his services. A Chinese play is to be performed at one of the Berlin theatres, under the direction of the Celestial Em- bassy to Germany. The interpreter belonging to the Embassy has translated the piece into German, and the drama will be brought out with correct costumes and native scenery. An interesting series of experiments are about to be carried out at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, to test the efficiency of a special kind of locomotive engine which has been constructed for the new trench railway. This railway is designed to be laid upon the surface of the ground wherever it may be found necessary to construct earthworks or to transport material, the ordinary methods of reducing irregulm-ities by cuttings and embankments being out of the question in field operations. The engine is, therefore, designed to ascend and descend sharp gradients, and is also fitted with an apparatus for hauling up and lowering loaded trucks. A hill too steep to be ascended with a load behind may be surmounted by the engine alone, and it may then wind up the load after it. An experimental railway running up and down hill in irregular fashion is being formed near the butts in the Government Marshes adjoining the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, for the purpose of the trial, I have the otrongest reasons for believing that the despatch of an English fleet to the Baltic has been decided on, and the ships selected and commisEiioned.-The World. In London, on Monday night, the space in front of the Bank of England, the Mansion House, and the Stock Exchange, was experimentally illuminated by electric light. The general effect was very satisfactory, and the gas lights that were used for comparison were virtually extinguished by the superior brilliancy of the electric burners. Three centenarian tortoises from the Seychelles Islands have been sent to the Paris Jardin d'Acclimatation, one of the creatures being the largest of its kind ever seen in Europe. A curious bathing fair was held at Ajudhia, in Oude, last February. When a peculiar conjunction of the planets takes place, and which occurs only once in eighty years, the natives rush in crowds to the river, as they be. lieve that if they manage to bathe and go through certain ceremonies in four minutes and a half, they will obtain the remission of their own sins and thdse of millions of their ancestors. On this occasion the rush to the river was so great, that numbers were trodden under foot, and sixty-five persons lost their lives. A French paper reports that a lobster, which had apparently fallen from a market cart, was seen wandering about the Paris streets, seemingly on his way to the nearest coast. As he evidently belonged to somebody, the police authorities felt bound to pick him up for registration in the missing property department. One of them seized the fish and was in turned teized, the pair arriving attached at the station-house. The captor was severely wounded in the ad- venture, and the question is as to whether the proprietor is liable to damages for losing a ferocious lobster, his claws not being tied. The latest addition to the collection at Brighton Aquarium is a consignment of sixty fine Chinese telescope fish, which have just arrived from Shanghai. These rare fish have been safely deposited in table tank No. 4, and are in splendid condition, considering the long journey. The gigantic salamander is thriving immensely, aud is an object of great curiosity to the holiday visitors. Ah, Austria is always behindhand Such was the exclamation of the Prince of Wales on passing through the Austrian section of the exhibition at Paris.-The World. Twelve thousand Martini-Henry rifles are ordered to be withdrawn from the Armoury at the lower of London and shipped immediately for Malta, where they will pro- bably be served out to the native troops now on passage from India. The ship Samuel Plimsoll, 1,444 tons, Captain Boaden, chartered by the Agent-General for New South Wales, sailed from Plymouth for Sydney on the 3rd inst., with 458 emigrants, under the supervision of Mr. James Smith, as surgeon-superintendent, with Mrs. Kent in charge of single women. The Paris Temps of May 5, publishes an article in which it says We do not think a war necessary in order that England may uphold her prestige in India. Her prestige would be greater if, maintaining an unshakable attitude after completing her armaments, she obtain the triumph of European public law without firing a shot. India would then see that it suffices for England to take a single step for her enemies to flinch before her." Mr. W. Menzies, the Deputy-Surveyor of Windsor Park, died at his residence near Virginia Water on the 3rd inst. A paragraph which has been communicated to the papers states that the Queen, Who visited Mr. Menzies during his long and painful illness, has>lost in him a valu- able servant, whose constant endeavour was to do his duty and to serve her Majesty faithfully." The Grand Duke Nicholas arrived at St. Peters burg last Saturday afternoon, and was received at the rail way station by the Emperor, the Czarewitch, and the other members of the Imperial Family. An enthusiastic welcome was given him by a large crowd of people. Illicit whiskey distilling in the United States is now carried on to so large an extent as to defraud the Govern- ment revenue of some £ 500,000 annually. The evil has grown up since the war, and the stills (over 4,000 in num- ber), are mainly situated in the moantain range known as the Blue Ridge, which branches off from the Alleghanies in Virginia, and extends through Carolina and Georgia to Alabama. The Regents' Park Zoological Gardens were visited in 1877 by 781,377 persons, a larger number than in any pre- ceding year except 1876. The additions to the collection during the year numbered 1,260, of which 506 were presented, 324 bought, 181 bred in the Gardens, and the remainder ob- tained tiy- deposit, nr øy"h..n" On Saturday evening Hobart Pasha, Admiral of the Turkish fleet, left London on a visit to her Majesty the Queen, at Windsor Castle, accompanied by the Right Hon. R. A. Cross, Home Secretary. Sir John Cowell, on behalf of her Majesty, was in attendance at the station. Hobart Pasha dmed at the Palace as the guest of the Queen. The London Gazette of Friday contains a notice that the Home Secretary has, in pursuance of Section 26 and Schedule 3 of the Explosives Act, 1875, fixed a fee of 5s. as payable in respect of licences for factories for toy fireworks. The fee, under the Public Offices Fees Act, 1866, is to be paid in stamps. In Paris jokes on the Exhibiton are in order. A widowed mother of penurious habits, with an only son, is reported to have called on a physician in reference to her boy's health. She described his symptoms, among which was want of appetite. The doctor said it was only the lassitude of spring. Let me treat him, and I will give him a stomach to devour all before him." The widow thought a moment. "Provisions will be so dear when the Exposition opens! It is better to let him remain as he ia. Court Journal. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress has just been trans- lated into the Russian language. The price of the work is cheap, in order that it may circulate among the Russian peasants.—Mayfair. In a late number of the Dttroit Mcdical Journal, the strange history of a lady of seventy-five suffering from unaccountable lumbar disease is narrated. The doctors were in sore perplexity, until it transpired one day that the cause of the malady was a knitting-needle the patient had swal. lowed forty-two years before. The Russian Ambassador had a conference of nearly two hours' duration with the Marquis of Salisbury at the Foreign Office on Menday afternoon. A meeting was held in Sheffield on'Saturday for the purpose of making arrangements for holding "a united religious peace meeting in Sheffield next Sunday. Several ministers of dissenting denominations were present, and it was agreed that prayers of a non political character should- be offered, supplicating Divine guidance in the present crisis. Hospital Saturday, which was established in Shetfield last year, has not been so great a success this season, owing to the many recent calls on public benevo- lence, as well as to the piolonged depression of trade. Up to Saturday evening the amount received was elose on iCS50, which is nearly e400 short of the sum obtained by the same time last year. At a meeting of anti-vaccinators held in Manchester on Monday, a letter was read from Mr. Bright, in which he said, I cannot write letters to you on this subject; I have said what I have to say upon it. I have nothing to add and nothing to retract. You cannot overcome the unwillingness of Parliament to give you relief. I regret it, but cannot remedy it." The letter was written in acknowledgment of a resolution condemning imprisonment for non-vaccination, passed at a previous meeting. There recently died at Chalvev. near Slough Bucks, at t.be age of 94, a man named Edward LeHupe. a csval pen- sioner. who was present at the bembaidment of Copen- hagen in 1S01 and the capture of the Danish fleet. The Russian province of Kazan has been compered to contract a debt "f l.OOO.OOC'routies to assist ihe peasantry who have been ruined by a succession of harvests. T~r. il^-ran itself bands of peasants parad« the streets clamor r- it),- for bread. The agricultural districts present a melan- choly spectacle; whole villages having been deserted by the famished Tartars.—Whitehall R&ziew. The Russian Government dispatches monthly from Odessa five and a-half million roubles to pay the troops at San Stefano Whitehall Review. The North German Gazette confirms the statement that the Emperor William had conferred upon the Czar the Order "Povr le ilcrite," together with a portrait of Frederick the Great. The Hereditary Grand Dute of Mecklenburg was the bearer of the Order, and also of an autograph letter from the Emperor William in which the following words occurred "My army will feel proud to see this Order on the breast of your Majesty." The Bishop of Manchester, preaching at Leigh on Sunday, said the present contingency in which the nation stands was so vast, so infinite in its issues, so far above the mere idle course of partisan politics, that every Englishman should realise the actual position of peril in which the nation was. He contended that the interests of the world were so bound up that we could not sacrifice the interests of Russia without the interests of England suffering in some proportion. At the most, there had not been more than three righteous wars in which England had engaged. This was not the time for people tq sing war songs and go into a great war against Russia. British honour ought to be touched more than it had been, British interests ought to be yet more involved-unless we were going to lose the character of a wise and understanding people-before we trusted ourselves to the terrible chances of war. Her Majesty's ship Assistance reached the Liver- pool landing-stage on Saturday forenoon with a detachment of the 5th Dragoons. Just at this time the wife of a Naval Reserve man, about to be taken on board, accidentally dropped her child into the water. As there was a strong current running rescue seemed hopeless, but a policeman and a marine plunged into the water, and the former brought the child to the stage. Two Parisians have completed in forty days one of the longest bicycle journeys on record—they covered between the 16th of March and the 21st of April the distance of 000 leagues. The reports of the recruiting officers for the past month show a remarkable increase in the number of enlist- ments for the Army, and the increase is still advancing at a steady rate. The character of the recruits is also reported to be satisfactory, not ouly with reference to age, height, and stamina, but also as to the classes of society from which they are drawn. Gunners for the Royal Artillery of 5ft, 7in. are still in request, but drivers are not at present taken. The infantry standard is at present oft. 6in., and there is no diffi- culty in obtaining men above that height for the regiments which require filling t'p The Prince Imperial, Midhat Pasha, and Lord Napier of Magdala have accepted invitations to attend the annual dinner of the Newspaper Press Fund on the 18th inst., at which the Marquis of Salisbury-will preside. It is estimated by one who certainly ought to be an authority that in case of war at least 20,000 men could be depended upon to at once volunteer for active service from the ranks of the Militia, which number would suffice to fill all gaps in tne regiments inoluded in the Second Army Corps, and help to prepare a third for service,-White-hall Review. The quantity of American meat lauded at Liverpool last week was very large, consisting of 6,973 quarters of fresh beef and 1,905 carcases of sheep. Live cattle also came to hand in large numbers, the three steamers which arrived bringing 633 head of oxen and 69b sheep. Twenty-one horses were also landed, and 14 boxes and one barrel of fresh eggs. The Political Correspondence says that the Pope is a hard worker he rises at three or four in the morning, a fact which shows his health is not so delicate as some of the papers have implied. American advices report great devastation and loss of life to have been caused by a tornado, which swept over portions of Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and Ohio. Dwell- ings, churches, barns, and whole forests were laid low by the force of the wind. Trees 3ft. in diameter were twisted off like straws, and carried hundreds of yards. Numbers of persons were buried in the falling ruins, and so injured that several of them died. The tornado was said to be about 300 yards wide, passing from south-west to north-east. It is stated that Mr. E. J. Reed, the member for Pembroke, has received an invitation from the Mikado of Japan to visit that country. A palace will be placed at his disposal. Some of the Texan steers are so lean that their chief value has ironically been stated to consist in the facility with which the whole of the meat on the carcase of an animal can be packed in his borne.-Mark Lane. Express. At the meeting of the Nottingham Town Council the Town Clerk read a letter frem the Duke of St. Albans, stating that the Prince of Wales had consented, at great personal inconvenience, to open the Midland Counties Art Mnsettm at Nottingham Castle in July next. The ceremony will take place during the first week in that month. At Sedgley, a boy named Waltham, while looking into a quarry overbalanced himself and fell. At the spot the quarry was five-and-twenty yards deep, and there were five yards of water at the bottom. A man named Wilson, who witnessed the accident, with great presence of mind, slid or rolled down the embankment, plunged into the water, and rescued the boy, who was only slightly injured. An inquiry was held in London on Monday at St. Thomas's Hospital into the circumstances attending the death of Sir Francis Henry Goldsmid, Bart., M P,, who ex- pired in the hospital on Thursday Eight in 14st week from Injuries received the same evening at the Waterloo-station of the London and South-Western E nil way Company, by fall- ing between the platform and the carriage from which be was alighting. A verdict of Accidental death was re- turned. The Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledges in The Times, as Conscience Money," the receipt of a £ 5 note for unpaid taxes, and of 12s. in stamps on account of Dog-tax. Some children who, a few days ago, were playing on a site near the "Old Commodore" Tavern, Poplar, London, which was formerly occupied by two houses, dis- turbed part of an old shed which had been left standing, and on doing so brought to light a number of packages. These contained what appeared to be dirty metal discs, and the children scattered them about on the ground. A boy, however, soon discovered that they were gold, and filled his pockets with them. The news got abroad, and quite a crowd of persons assembled to collect as much of the treasure as remained. It is said that several hundred pieces of gold, corresponding in size to sixpences, shillings, rzid half-crowns, were taken away. They are believed to be coins of various reigns, and the dates upon them are stated to range from 1060 to 1680.

THE MARKETS. M AR.K-L \NE. —MONDAY. Business at Mark-lane to-day has not been extensive, and the favourable reports from the agricultural districts, coupted with the more peaceful political prospect, have in- duced weakness. English wheat was in short supply and good condition. The demand was heavy, and forced sales could only be arranged on former terms. Of foreign wheat there was a fair supply on offer. The trade was dull at drooping quotations. Barley was in moderate supply the inquiry was limited on former terms. Malt sold at late rates. For oats there was not much demand, and prices re- mained about the same. Maize also was quiet and unaltered, Beans and peas were steady in value, but with a limited de- mand. Flour was (lull and unaltesed. METOPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.—MONDAY. The cattle trade has ruled quieter. Supplies were about the average, and sufficient for the demand. From our own grazing districts the receipts of beasts were moderate. The quality and condition were satisfactory. The demand was slow at about last week's prices, but the market did not close at its best, some difficulty being experienced in main- taining quotations up to the last. The best Scots and crosses changed hands at 6s to 6s. 2d. per 81bs. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, we received about 1,500 from other parts of England about 250 and from Sootland, 71 head. There was a good show of beasts on the foreign side of the market. Besides a fair sprinkling of Spanish and Danish, there were some 400 head received. The de- 'VtW mand was rather quiet, at about late rates. In the sheen pens there was a fair show. The market was not so active as lonil on Monday last, and quotations gave way to the extent of 2d. per 81b. For the best Downs and half-breds 6s. to 6s. 2d. per 81b., was accepted. Lambs were firm, at 8s. to 9s. per glb. Calves and pigs sold at previous currencies. At Deptford there were 80 beasts and about 9,000 sheep and lambs. Coarse and inferior beasts, 4s. 6d. to 5s.; second quality ditto, 5a. to 5s. 6d. prime large oxen, 5s. lOd. to 6s. prime Scots, &c., 6s. to 6s. 2d. inferior sheep, 6s. to &s. 6d. second quality ditto, 5s. 6d. to 5s. lOd. prime coarse woolled sheep, 5s. lOd. to 6s.; prime Southdowns, 69. to 6s. 2d. lambs, 8s. to 9s. large coarse calves, 5s. 6d. prime small ditto, 6s. to 6s. lOd. large hogs, 4s. to 4s. 6d. and small porkers, 4s. 6d. to 4s. lOd. per81b. to sink the offal. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.—MONDAY. There was a quiet demand for meat this morning, and prices were much the same. The supply was moderate. Inferior beef, 3s. to 3s. 8d.; middling ditto, 4s. to 4s. 6d.; prime large ditto, 4s. lOd. to 5s. 4d.; prime small, 5s. to 5s. 8d. inferior mutton, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 4d.; middling ditto, 4s. 6d. tobs. prime ditto, 5s 4d. to 6s. 4d.; lamb, 7s. 4d. to gs. veal, 5s. 2d. to 5s 8d. large pork, 3s. 6d. to 4s. and small ditto, 4s. 6d. to 5s. per 81b. by the carcass. POTATOES. As new potatoes become more in demand, the trade in old ones flags, and prices rule in buyers' favour. During the past weA a fall of some 2s. per ton has taken place. Kent regents. 156s to 200s.; Essex ditto, 145s. to 180s.; rocks, 135s. to 145s. flukes, 175s. to 25B; and Victorias, 176s. to 215s. per ton. GAME AND POULTRY. Hares. 3s. to 4s.; white ditto, 2s. to 2s. 9d.; levereta. Is. 9d. to 6s. conies, 9d. to Is.; tame rabbits, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. live hens, 2s. to 3s.; capons, 6s. 6d. to lls. chickens, 2s. 3d. to 5s.; pullets, 6s. to 10s.; capercailzie, 4s. 6d. to 8s.; ptarmigan, 9d. to Is. 6d. pea-fowls, 88. to 15s.; pigeons. 9d. to Is. 6d.; ducks, 3s. to 5s ducktings, Ss. 9d. to 6s. 6d. each; plovers' eggs, Is. 6d. to 2s. 3d. per rlop.811. nen. Soles, Is. 9d. to 4s. 9d. per pair; turbot, los. 6d. to 22s. 6d. each; mackerel, 2s. 3d. to 3s. 3d. per dozen; mullet, 4s. 6d. to 6a. 9d. per score whiting, 18s. 6d. to 25s. per basket; trout, Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. per lb.; kipper haddock, 25s. to 42s. per barrel; ditto herrings, 5s. to 8s. per basket; bloaters, 3s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. per box smelts, 4s. to 6s. per basket; crimped salmon, 2s. to 2s. 6d. per lb. dory, Is. 6d. to 2s. 3d. each lobsters. 10s. 6d. to 33s. per dozen crabs, 25s. to 45g. per kit; eels, lOd. to Is. Id. per lb. PROVISIONS. LONDON, Monday, May 6.—The arrivals last week from Ireland were 97 firkins Butter and 2,862 bales Bacon, and from foreign ports 26,851 packages Butter, and 3,236 bales Bacon. The butter market has ruled very slow, influenced by the very favourable weather for vegetation and the sup- plies of foreign increasing. Prices are in favour of buyers, both Normandys and Jerseys are easier in prices, and Dutch has further declined to 98s. to ICOs. The Bacon market ruled slow without alteration to quote in the value of Irish, but Hamburg has declined 2s. per cwt, for sizeable meat. Butter, per cwt.. s. s. Dorset 120 to 130 Friesland. 90 100 Jersey 84 94 Fresh, per doz. 12 14 Bacon, per cwt.: Wiltshire. 78 80 Irish,green,f.o.b. 70 82 Cheese, per cwt. s. a Cheshire 60 to 70 Double Gloucester 50 74 Cheddar 64 go American 56 70 Hams, York 84 90 Cumberland 84 90 Irish 80 90 HAY. W HITECH APEL, Saturday, May 4.- The supply offering was moderate and trade ruled quiet at last day's prices. Prime Clover, 100s. to 140s., Inferior 85s. to 95s., Prime Meadow Hay 85s. to 100s., Inferior 70s. to Ma., and Straw 43s. to 52s. per load. TALLOW. s. d. s. d. Town Tallow, per cwt. 38 3 Rough Stuff, per cwt. 14 9 Rough Fat, per 8lbs. 1 7 Greaves 14 0 Melted Stuff, per cwt. 27 6 I Good Dregs 1, 6 0 Yellow Russian, new.38s Od. per cwt. Australian Mutton Tallow, 38s. Od. Ditto Beef Ditto. 37s. Od-. SEED. LONDON, Monday, May 6 —There was a very limited quantity of all Cloverseeds offering. Small parcels of American have been taken to complete country orders for the season, which have been obtained at moderate prices. The quantity offering for arrival from the United States is very limited. Holders in America appear disposed to keep themselves over for another season. A few parcels of Trefoil have been- disposed of at the recent reduced value of this article, and tk stocks are well nigh exhausted. White Mustardseed has sold at full rates for sewing, but there is no demand for brown qualities. Canaryseeo has been better sold, and more money paid for good samples of English. Foreign Tares were very dull, and generally offered at lower rates for both small and large qualities. English Rapeseed com- manded high prices, and choice parcels were very scarce. Hempseed was in moderate request at quite as high rates as previously

NOTES FROM YOKOHAMA, I enclose you a letter about an excursion that we made from here. "This is about the prettiest country I ever saw even now in winter, and in spring it must be exquisite. Travelling is comfortable, as the native tea- houses are all of them clean. The mode of con- veyance is usually a jinrikisha, a thing like a perambu- lator on two wheels, which is drawn by either one or two men. One feels funny at first in them, but soon gets used to them. They go along at a good pace- about six miles an hour-the coolies trotting along at a run the whole way. They are wonderful run- ners, as I am told that some of them will do a hundred miles. in a day with their jinrikishas. They are very small men, but have tremen- dously muscular legs, which, by-the-bye, one sees a good deal of, as they are not overburdened with clothing. They usually wear straw sandals, kept on by a thong that passes between the great and fourth toe to the sides of the sandals, and is tied round the ankle. The only danger is that it going downhill they may get overpowered with the weight of a big man like me. in which case, I am told, they slip out of the way and let one go. However, I have not come to grief yet myself. They live almost entirely on rice and fish with eggs occasionally. I see a good many of them with varicose veins, and I am told that they don't last long, though I should think that there can- not be much foundation for the statement, as the jinrikisha is quite a modem institution. I went to see a wrestling exhibition, and have a long note about it in my diary, which I can send you some day when I can find time to copy it. Anyhow, it will keep. wrestlers try to develop fat as mnch as possible, and some of them are enormously fat fellows—a great contrast to the little bits of fellows that most of the natives are. Everybody is immensely polite, and are as yet uncorrupted by their intercourse with foreigners; they are delighted to see one up the country, though one is still supposed to be confined to the treaty ports, and has to get a passport to go into the interior. One great charm here are the earthquakes, of which we have already had two or three since we have been here. They say that there is a regular season for them, which is about April and May, when they are still more frequent; they don't usually amount to much, as they seem to depend on atmospheric con- ditions, but occasionally they are big affairs that do an infinite amount of mkchief, and, of course, it is im- to say when one of them begins, whether it is to be a uig one or not. ah tne iiouaes are built so as to stand them, the real framework being of wood that is pinned together hinge fashion, the stones out- side being merely a thin layer, which has no real con- nection with the house which it seems to form. G. M., (Calcutta), in Land and Water. r;

that the expeditionary force of native troops which has left India is destined for Suez and Port Said.

here regarding the number of Russian troops in Roumania. I have contradicted these errors several times already, and reiterate most positively that, instead of there being 110,900 Russians in this country, their number does not exceed 50,000 all told.—Correspondent of The Times. The Chios, in an article on the political situation, says that

it has never been in favour of a warlike policy, but that the foment has arrived when Russia must seek allies as well as make every preparation for a war with England. It is above all necessary that Europe should clearly understand that any one who is not on the side of Russia is against her. Hitherto, in attempting to please everybody, we have only met with universal opposition. We must now firmly resolve neither to decline the assistance of new allies when they may be useful to our cause nor to shrink from a rupture with old allies when they are of no service to us. If we will only Place the practical interests of Russia in the foreground we shall encourage our friend?, and be in no danger of isola- tion. We must go into the Congress armed to the teeth, as We should into war. We are jinformed that the Russian Government is quietly

manufacturing Whitehead torpedoes at Cronstadt. For this Purpose two large buildings have been fitted up with torpedo machinery obtained from abroad, and several hundred work- men are engaged day and night in manufacturing Mr. White- head's deadly invention. All the men-of-war designated for the ocean-going squadron are to receive a certain number of fast torpedoes on their departure from Cronstadt.— Whitehall Review, The Russian Government has called on 8,000 sailors of the