Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

W A I NEW S. BATTLE AT BATOUM. Both belligerents assert that they won a considerable battle fought last Friday on the Black Sea Coast, a few miles north-east of Batoum. The following official telegram describing the engagement has been published at St. Petersburgh :— TIFLIS, May 12. Lieutenant General Oklobgio announces that after securing the fortified position of I'khaestate, he sent for- ward on the 11th inst. two advanced columns against the Khatzubani heights, skirting the river Kintrisoi. This strong position was stormed by our troops, who all worthily upheld the old renown of the Army of the Caucasus. Our artillery was handled with admirable effect. The losses on our side were 12 men killed and 9 officers and 107 men wounded. The Turkish losses were enormous [The Khat- zubani heights mentioned in the above official telegram are situated near Batoum. The Turkish positions were defended by entrenchments.] On the other hand, the official Turkish account claims a complete victory, after a severe struggle which endured for eight hours and estimates the Russian loss in killed and wounded at no fewer thanfour thousand men.—Unaer date Pera, Friday, May 11, the special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says:- "The following official report has been received here of a signal victory gained by the Sultan's troops at Batoum, under Ali Pasha: "The enemy to-day suddenly attacked the advanced posts occupied by our forces in the villages of Atch- kosta, Valouba, Kevara, Loghva, and Kalvas. Our men received the assailants with an admirable resolution. In the course of the sanguinary and furious struggle which followed-lasting eight hours—the two armies were several times so closely engaged that our soldiers fought breast to breast with the Russians. Unable to resist the impetuosity of the Imperial troops, the enemy was again and again compelled to retire fighting, but only to recommence the action shortly after with reinforcements which were perpetually brought forward. Meanwhile their batteries did not cease to maintain a determined lire. In spite of the considerable losses inflicted upon the Russian oolumns, they strove obstinately to advance but at the last-by the help of the Most High—victory remained with us. The Russians left upon the field of battle more than 4,000 dead and dying.' Under date Batoum, Friday (midnight), the Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph further says :— "A great victory has been gained here to-day by the arms of his Imperial Majesty the Sultan. At about live o'clock this morning the Russian forces, which had been largely aug- mented for the purpose, advanced with batteries of field artillery, and made a furious attack upon the heights defend- ing Batoum on the land side, which were occupied by Bashi-Bazouks. The Ottoman troops were entrenched in their usual effective manner upon the slopes and ledges of these hills, and on the advance of the enemy they opened on his columns a terrible and well- sustained fire of cannon and musketry, which literally mowed the Russians down in swathes. They fell by scores and hundreds on the plain below the Turkish positions, and during their attempts to make way against this fire a body of Turkish horse and foot, taking advantage of the thick forest on the mountain side, broke forth upon the flank of the Russian column, and effected a great slaughter —the Muscovites being upon ground perfectly open, and having no choice but to fight or fly. In a short time the spot which was the scene of this flank movement be- came covered with dead and dying Russians, but the enemy quickly brought up reinforcements, and the battle was re- newed with much determination. For many hours the efforts of the assailants were desperately maintained, but towards mid-day their artillery fire gradually slackened, and they at length withdrew after suffering very considerable losses. I was myself an eye-witness of this important engage- ment from first to last; and I can testify that the Otto- man soldiers behaved with a gallantry which was most admirable. They had, however, during a great part of the action the advantage of their entrenchments on the high ground, and it is due to this fact, no doubt, that their losses, compared to those inflicted upon the enemy, were insignifi- cant." And under date Batoum, Saturday morning, the Corre- spondent of the Daily Telegraph again writes :— "The victory won by the Turks on the land side of Batoum, of which I telegraphed you the first tidings yester- day, proves to be to the full as complete a success as I had announced. It was won by the extraordinary courage and spirit of the Bashi-Bazouks, whose conduct alike in their positions and while attacking the enemy in hand-to-hand tight is worthy of all the praise which devoted soldiers can receive. The dead and wounded on the Russian side will exceed the total of already named. The engage- ment lasted for more than eight hours of actual fighting, and it was not till near .nightfall that the last of the enemy's troops withdrew. The loss on the Ottoman side is-as I have already sent you word-extremely small. The Russians have lost many guns, but not a single Turkish piece has been captured indeed, the Bashi-Bazonks advanced to close quarters without the support of field artillery. If they could have availed themselves of this arm in the latter part of the action, it is thought that they must have annihilated the retreating foe. His rout has been most complete."

THE SINKING OF A TURKISH MONITOR. BUCHAREST, May 11. The largest of the Turkish monitors approached Ibraila at three o'clock this afternoon and took up a position behind the island of Ghiacet, whence it bombarded the town. The Russians replied with artillery of small calibre from their batteries on the quay, but without effect, whereupon the Russian masked batteries behind the vineyards on the heights commanding the town opened fire, and kept up an hour's cannonade. Two Russian shells penetrated the boiler of the monitor, causing an explosion. The powder magazine immediately afterwards ignited and blew up the monitor, with the whole of her crew and 200 soldiers on board, who were all drowned.-It was reported at Bucha- rest that the ironclad was destroyed by a torpedo and not a shell from the Russian batteries as stated .Russian boats put off from Braila to save life.-It is also said that the pxploRion was entirely accidental. Some of the men were arranging cartridges in the magazine; a curtrioge caught i fire. and in-.tar.tly a terrific explosion took place almost the entire crew wcra killed, and the splendid vessel was destroyed. The Correspondent of the Daily Tcitgrttp*

out obtaining a command in the Russian army. A correspondent of the XlXme. SiZcle^ with the Russian

army, reports that in a conversation at Jassy, between several high Russian officers, the opinion was generally ex pressed that the passage of the Danube could not be effected without, on the most moderate estimate, costing the in- vading force a loss of from 15,000 to 18,000 men. The ladies of St. Petersburgh are preparing a magnificent

velvet banner embroidered in gold, and representing St. Nicholas, which they intend to forward to the Army of the South. The amount -already subscribed in small sums by the general public of St. Petersburg to the Russian Red Cross Society, has reached a quarter of a million roubles. The semi-official Russian Agency says:—"The serious and

prolonged debates in the House of Commons on the Eastern crisis are producing a good impression here, for it appears from the declaration of the various Ministers that England has solely in view the protection of English interests. Now as Russia has no intention of directly or indirectly menacing the interests of England or any other Power, no cause o conflict is to be apprehended."—Paris Correspondent of The Times. At two o'clock on Monday morning an attempt was made

by the Turks to convey a body of troops in six ships across the Danube near Giurgevo; they were, however, compelled to retreat after a brisk interchange of musketry with the Roumanian outposts, supported by reinforcements from Giurgevo. The Berlin correspondent of The Times says—"The Vienna

Politisehe Correspondenz, a semi-official organ of the Austrian Government, which has the peculiarity of insert- ing semi-official letters from St. Petersburg, in a Russian communication of this nature, says that Russian troops, under General von Kaufmann, will cross the Pamir into India in the event of England taking part in the Turkish War. This is the first time the Russians have spoken semi- ofticiallyof the possibility of military operations by way of the Pamir and the accessibility of India in that quarter A'letter from St. Petersburg in the Nord states that Russia

seeks ouly-the amelioration of the lot of the Turkish Christ- ians but, if after the struggle is over, she demands more extensive and effective guarantees, Europe must lay the fault on herself, and not on the alleged ambition of which Russia is unwarrantably suspected. Russia, adds the writer will furnish a fresh proof of moderation by consulting Europe, when the war ends, on the conditions to be dictated to Turkey, in order to prevent further massacres. Mayfair states that many North American naval officers

and engineers have gone to Russia to serve in the Russian navy. Passing through Germany, they stated that many more are coming, and that a steamer with a cargo of torpedoes is en route from New York for St. Petersburg. The Political Correspondence says that the Grand Duke

Nicholas intends to charter a number of private vessels to act as transports for the conveyance of the wounded to the hospital in South Russia. These vessels will sail under the Geneva red cross. The Russian Consul has declared in a special audience

with Prince Milan, that Russia has notified to Austria and England that Servia will observe neutrality, and that Rus- sian troops will not enter Servia, she being excluded from the plan of operations.

The Essex police have been engaged in investi- gatmg the circumstances connected with the death of a gentleman whose body was discovered on Wanstead-common. When the body was examined it was ascertained that life naa been extinct some hours. The face and neck were blood, which appeared to have flowed from the it Attl*ouSh there were no signs of a struggle, clotHn^ ? the deceased had met with foul play, ifhe 3"pen?r make, but nothing to lead to his „ I?1^} uP°n him, Deceased was about 60 years 01 age} sud 5ft. 71n. in height, dark hft'r and beard.

THE OPENING OF MUSEUMS ON SUNDAY. A public meeting of friends and supporters of the Sunday Society for obtaining the opening of museums, art galleries, libraries, and gardens on Sunday, was held in London last Saturday afternoon in the Freemasons' Hall, for the purpose of receiving the second annnal report of the operations of the society. The Dean of Westminster, the president, occupied the chair, and was supported by Professor Tyndall, Professor Huxley, the Rev. J. Oakley, the Rev. Mark Wilks, and a great number of gentlemen favour- able to the society. The Dean of Westminster amidst loud applause, proceeded to say that there were two classes of thinkers upon the subject upon which they had assembled, to whom the remarks he proposed to make would not be addressed, firstly, those who thought the observance of Sunday should be abolished altogether; and, secondly, those who thought the present mode of observing Sunday in England was incapable of im- provement. (Here, hear.) What they had to con- sider was the best mode of maintaining and using what he would call the greatest institution the country possessed for the purposes of the religious and moral. education of the people. The object of the Sunday Society "'was, on the one hand, to maintain the value and importance of the English Sunday, and, on the other hand to do the best they could to improve it. (Cheers.) Everything worth preserving must be worth improving, and if they wished to accomplish anything in the way of elevating their fellow countrymen they should make use of the institutions they found ready to their hands. (Applause.) He 'vould endeavour to explain what they conceived to be the uses of the English Sunday, and' in what respect it may be more useful. (Hear, hear.) Without going into the origin of the Christian Sunday, he might observe that the seventh day-which was the Satur- day-was not really observed by any Christian country in the world, with the two trifling excep- tions of the Seventh Day Baptists and the Abys- sinian Church in Africa. In fact, the connection between the Mosaic law of the Sabbath and the Christian Sunday was entirely unknown until, the sixth century. It was unknown to Luther, Calvin, Knox, and Tyndall, nor was it enforced in the Prayer-book or other documents of the English Church. The rigid observance of the Sunday was first taught by the Puritans of the seventeenth century, and one day in the week was set apart by the laws of the State and thef feelings of the people for rest. The mode of observiit! the Sunday in England, as they knew, differed much from that which prevailed on the Con- tinent, and especially in Spain. In those countries the ordinary avocations of life were carried out on Sunday just the same as on other days; but in the hurry and bustle and the constant pressure of English life, and with English feelings,. such a practice would be absolutely impossible and intolerable (hear hear), and in this respect the Fourth Commandment was even more applicable to the present state of society in Eng- land than to the Jews, because rest was more necessary to us than it was for them. On the continent not only was work carried on on Sundays, but all kinds of amusements were provided, even more copiously than on other days. He must, however, decline to sit in judgment on the consciences of others, but they must all feel that it was an immense Rain to the solidity and seriousness and elevation of the English character that there should be one day in the week of interrup- tion to those occupations which tended to enervate the body and impair the mind. In Scotland it had been regarded as a sin to walk m the fields for the en- joyment of fresh air, or whistle a tune on the Sunday; out the late Mr. Norman Ma^od, one of the most distinguished members of the Church of Scotland, resisted that principle, and he rose to the highest honours in his Church, and died amidst tributes of honour and respect such as fell to the lot of few of his countrymen in our age. (Cheers.) Looking forward to an improved observance of the Sunday, it was most evident that in our large cities there were vast masses of the humbler classes to whom Sunday furnished really the only opportunity for those innocent and elevating recreations and studies which the higher classes might enjoy every day in the week. To place such studies and recreations within the reach of the hnmbler classes, without interfering with the solemn character of the Sunday, and without trenching upon the hours of repose, so dear to every working man, must be an object which would commend itself to the meeting. (Hear, hear). No stone should be left unturned to counteract the great sin of intemperance, and it was most desirable, in order to do so, that at least some places of rest and shelter should be provided where rich and poor, or at all events where the humbler classes and their families, might meet m comfort and sur- rounded by elevating objects to rest from the storms and tempests of the week. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, the first object of the Sunday Society was that the poorer classes in large cities should enjoy those great resorts of natural, scientific, and artistic wealth which the Government had already placed at their disposal. Amongst them he (the chairman) referred especially to the parks of London, to the Royal Gardens at Kew, and to the picture galleries at Hampton Court, which had conferred the greatest blessings upon the people. If such had been the result with respect to those places, why should not the benefit be extended. (Hear, hear.) The hope and aim of the society were to see this effected, and that the other Government insti- tutions in London should be placed in the same posi- tion. They desired only to go as far as they thought to be rignL, and not one step further, and a broad distinction should be made between such public institutions, and those maintained by companies or private individuals, over whose proceedings DO control could be exercised. So far as the observance of Sun- Jay was concerned their views were, that the general | character of the'Vlay should not be interfered with by I an undue extennionof the hours during which museums &c., should he opened ot; that day nor should th" I 1 or pufcflc servants, who must be employed, be unduly curtailed. (Cheers.) The objection to the unnecessary employment of labour was one of the most praiseworthy scruples existing on the subject, and that version of the fourth CominanJinent, which most commended itself to his mind, was which most commended itself to his mind, was that which, after forbidding the work of male and remale ilaves and beasts of burden, a(ide(I the words, Remember that thou was a servant in the land of Egypt." With regard to the mode in which the objects of the society might be attained, he would not shrink from appealing to the legislature but as it might happen that the legislature might feel it to be too great a responsibility to move in the matter, then to Caesar they must go—(loud cheers)-but do what they liked, it should be remembered that nothing could be more likely to injure their cause than intem- perate violence, and that nothing could help it more than moderation, conQm°ii sense, and mutual charity. (Great applause, amidst which the rev. chairman resumed his seat.) Professor Tyndall moved the first resolution, That this meeting rejoices in the progress of the movement for the opening of museums on Sundays, as shown in the second annual report of the Sunday Society, and requests the chairman to sign a petition praying the House of Commons to support the resolution which is shortly to be submitted to it for the opening of the national museums and galleries during a part of Sunday. The learned professor proceeded to show from experience which had come under his own know- ledge as to the advantages which resulted in giving opportunities to the people for viewing works of art and sqjence, in the nurture of their moral as well as mental powers. r Professor Henry Morley seconded the resolution" which was supported by Dr. Richardson, and being Put, carried, with some twe or three dissentients, amidst loud applause. Professor Huxley, }v*10 was Warmly received, made an eloquent address In support of the objects of the society, in moving the second resolution, which was to the effect "That in the opmion of the meeting; the Sunday Society' should appoint a deputation to wait upon the First Lord of the Treasury to solicit the support °f the government to the measure for opening the national museums ana galleries on Sunday after- noons." The Rev. J. Oaklcy>.M-A- seconded it, and it was supported by Mr. Mark .wilks, both gentlemen, although doing so "P11! .^nerent points of view, coinciding in the fact that there was scarcely nine out of every ten of the working classes who either attended church or chapel on the Sunday,, and therefore it was an act of charity as well as policy to try and elevate- their minds by giving them some amusement which would be more profitable to them and their families than spending it in the public-house. Mr. Joseph Arch said the reason he was there to give his aid to this movement was because he believed in the greatest good for the greatest number. Professor Flower then moved, and Professor Hayward seconded a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was supported by Mr. Russell, and carried by acclamation.

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY. On Thursday night in last week a murder and suicide of a most distressing nature were perpetrated in Highbury New-park, one of the most fashionable thoroughfares of North London. At about a quarter to nine o'clock Police-constable 330 N was on duty at the corner of Church-street, Green-lanes, when he heard the reports of two pistol-shots, and imme- diately afterwards a boy came running up, who told him that two gentlemen were lying dead in the New- park, near the Balfour-road. The constable at once proceeded to the spot and there found two bodies, both apparently dead, lying in pools of blood. Dr. Jeffreys was sent for, and by his advice one of the young men, who showed some signs of e', J^,as removed to the German Hospital; the other body was taken on a stretcher to the mortuary in the Holloway-road. Dr. Jeffreys had previously ascertained that death had been caused by a bullet wound on the right side of the temple. At the mortuary the body was searched by Inspector Jamieson, N division, who found papers which showed that the deceased was Mr. W. T. Clements, of 33, Aberdeen-park-road, Highbury. He was it appears shortly about to be married, for letters from friends congratulating him on that event, and also a letter from the young lady, a Miss Muir, were found in his pockets. After search- ing this body Inspector Jainieson proceeded to the German Hospital, and found that the other young man had died before arriving there. He was wounded on the left side of the head. Froni papers on him it was found that his name was liorace A. Bullock, of 37, South-hill-park, Hampstead. When this body had been lifted from the park, a revolver was found beneath it; and on searching the pockets at the German Hospital the revolver-case was found. The two unfortifflate men were about the same age—and were highly respectably connected. Mr. Clements was the son of a Common Councilman of the City of London, who is a prominent member also of the Charity Organization Society, and was in partnership with his father—the two gentlemen trading as Clements and Co., wholesale stationers, of 96, Wood- street, and Cream Hall, Highbury-vale, In the neighbourhoood of Islington he was well-known for the interest that he took in all religious matters. Mr. Bullock was an accountant in the city. The motive for the crime appears to have been jealousy, for from inquiries that have been made by the police, it has been ascertained that Bullock had previously been engaged to Miss Muir, and that Clements had supplanted him.

The Daily New of Saturday says :— The further particulars obtained point to the fact that the crime WaI a deliberate one. The friends of Bullock had noticed that for some time past, since the engagement between Miss Muir and Clements, he had been in a desponding state, and morose and-sullen in his disposition. On Thursday he dined with his brother, whose house he left early in the evening, and it is supposed that from thence he went to the Highbury station and waited until Clements, who used that station habitually, arrived, and that from the station they walked together to the spot where Bullock put his horrible intention into execution. A further examination also shows that Clements received two wounds, the bullets entering two different places in the forehead, and converging to the same point of exit at the back of the head; while the sup- posed murderer had only received one wound. Each of the bullets in Clement's case had penetrated the brain, and either wound must, in the doctor's opinion, have -proved instantly fatal. The spot where the murder was committed, too, is close to the road up which Clements must have turned to reach home, while it is far from where Bullock lives.

On Friday Drl Hardwicke opened an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Mr. Clements. The proceedings were entirely formal, and only suffi- cient evidence was given to allow the friends of the deceased gentleman to have possession of the body. Mr. William Morton Williams, of 29, Highbury- quadrant, identified the deceased, and Inspector Jamie- son proved the finding of the bodies. The latter stated that on Clements he found a portrait of deceased him- self two tickets for Wagner's Concert at the Albert Hall, and a letter from Miss Muir relating to those tickets. Under the body of Bullock he found the revolver-a five-chambered central fire revolver, with two chambers still loaded, and the other three evidently recently discharged; and in his pockets he found the case of the revolver, and a photograph of Miss Muir, the young lady in question.

On Monday the inquest on the body of Horace A. Bullock, was held by Mr. John Humphreys (coroner), at the Queen Elizabeth Tavern, Graham-road, Dalston. The first witness called was Frank Bullock, who said: The deceased was my brother. His age was 23. lie was an accountant's clerk. On Thursday, May 10, I dined with him. I last saw him on that day, about half-past two. Something in his actions had struck me as peculiar for some little time. Since 1875, when he suffered from scarlet and intermittent fever, a very marked change had come over him. The change was getting more and more marked week after week, and we could hardly bear to look at him of an evening. During the last two years he was in a desponding condition, and he rarely got to sleep before three or four in the morning. I am of opinion that if he took his own life he was not at the time in a condition to know right from wrong. By Mr. Harmsworth (who appeared for the family of the deceased): The symptoms which I have mentioned increased in a marked degree after the close of February last, at which time he received a great shock. He has sometimes not spoken to me for four or five hours, although we were on the best of terms. He would lie on the sofa in the evening for several hours with his eyes open, and when I spoke, he said, "Why did you awake me?" For the last two years his face was as pale as a sheet, but formerly he had "a fine colour. His temper was very gentle. Alluding to some pet birds we had, he lately said, more than once, If those birds continue singing as they have been this afternoon I shall go mad." He came to me one day, saying he did not like to go to his office untidy, and asked me to shave him, for he felt sure, so he said, that if he took a razor in his hand he would cut himself severely. I understood that would do himself an injury. Before the change supervened he used to devote himself to Sunday-school work, and was a constant attendant at church, as well as a frequent contributor to charitable institutions. Mr. Ernest Cooper, of 14, George-Street, Mansion House I belong to the firm of Cooper Brothers. The deceased man was in my employ, he had lately received an increase of salary. His salary was increased twice this year. He was a well-conducted man. From the year 18751, however, noticed some change in his conduct. He was a great deal quieter than before, and during the last few months he appeared a good deal depressed. If he took his own life I cannot doubt but that he did it not knowing right from wrong, By Mr. Harmsworth He was quite competent to discharge the duties of an accountant's clerk. On one occasion I particularly noticed his depressed demeanour. It was in February. Mrs. Mary Sharpe I was formerly nurse in the family of the deceased. I have from time to time to time had oppor- tunities of seeing him, and it seemed to me that of late there was an alteration in his spirits. He was all love and kindness, and I am of opinion that if he took his own life he was not in his right mind when he did so. I remember a fever he had about two years ago, for I nursed him. The last time I saw him he had returned from business. He sat down and hid his face in a book, and on being asked whether he was unwell replied that he was not himself at all. Mrs. Anna Blane On Thursday, May 10,1 was in the park at about a quarter to nine p.m. I saw two gentlemen talk- ing, but could not hear what they said. I then saw two flallhes and heard two reports, which were immediately followed by a third. I saw both the men fall to the ground. I cannot say who fired the pistol, as it was too dark at the time for me to see. I am certain, however, that the man who fell last was the one who was removed to the hospital. Agnes Borrit said: I am a domestic servant. On May 10 I was in Highbury New Park, coming from Canonbury Station. I heard two men in conversation as if they were quarrelling. I was standing not far from St. Augustine's Church, and but a few yards from them, but I did not hear what was said. I then heard a pistol shot and looked across the road and saw a young gentleman fall down. Then I heard another pistol shot and saw the second man fall. I saw him shoot himself. I saw neither of them removed. I think the man who shot himself was dark. William Davey, a little boy, who gave his evidence with re- markable clearness, deposed as follows I a chorister at St. Augustine's Church. I had just left the church on I Thursday evening, wherl I saw two men crossin the road. I did not hear them talk at all, but saw one or them present a pistol, and then I saw Clements drop. I had met Clements before, and knev him by sight. I rall to the church,- and I toid a gentleman what had occurred. I then went home, hut was fetched by a chorister. W met two policemen coming along -»v?th a stretcher, the hody npon it being that of I' Clements. I saw Bullock removed in a cab. B:¡ l. I.¡. J ii-»o b. dvctVk Uial Cltiutiuto lob. fh There were some other witnesses, and immediately after the coroner's concluding remarks, in which he pointed out I the law implies that everybody is of sound mind until tlic contrary is proven, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died by his own act, but that the wound was inflicted while he was in a state of unsound mind. They also added a rider expressing their sympathy with the relatives of ¡'? deceased in consequence of the distressing nature of the case.

CENTRAL ASIA. At the meeting of the Royal Geographical Society on Monday evening, Sir Rutherford Alcock in the chair, a paper by Captain H. Trotter, R.E., was read by Mr. Markham, describing a journey made through Eastern Turkestan by the Pundit Nain Singh, to whom the Council have awarded one of the medals of the year. Captain Trotter had intended to give the paper a wider scope by adding an account of a journey through Western Turkestan, but he had been called away on duty to the East, and had not been able to finish the paper. The Pundit had in his journey to contend with many difficulties, all his baggage having to be carried on sheep, which, in that pastoral country, make excellent beasts of burden. He started with twenty-six sheep from Lassa, in Thibet, and proceeded through Turkestan to the frontiers of China and Assam, visiting in the course of his journey several important lakes, and returning along the course of the Brahmapootra to Calcutta. He had made useful surveys of the country which he had tra- versed. The president, after the paper had been read, said there was no doubt that every part of Central Asia was becoming, both politically and commercially, of greater interest, and the steps taken to extend our commerce made these journeys of more moment. Such explorations claimed from us, as a commercial people, a feeling of deep gratitude to those who undertook such work, and he felt that it was difficult to ex;press the gratitude due to the explorers.. A vote of thanks was given to Captain Trotter for his paper.

A CATTLE SHOW AT COPENHAGEN. I The Copenhagen correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette writes on the 8th inst. :—" The prizes given at the annual cattle show for Denmark were distributed to-day, his Majesty the King being present. When one remembers some twenty years ago the poor under- grown shapeless cattle which were at that uwiod seen browsing in the fields, even the richest landed pro- prietors or farmers making no exception, and compares them with the cattle now seen about in the provinces, the progress is something astonishing. The cattle show which has now been closed has produced some of the finest animals ever seen here; there were especially a couple of shorthorns which certainly even in the Agricultural Hall at Islington would not have passed without a medal or at least a favourable mention. A bull, four years old, and weighing about 2,175 lb., was also much admired. The general development of Danish agriculture, the immense advance made not only in the quantity, but also in the quality of butter, for instance, which has taken place during the last twelve or fifteen years, is something of which the Danes are, and justly, very proud. The quality of sheep leaves, however, still much to be desired.

SUBMARINE WARFARE. In London, last Friday, Mr. John Donaldson, one of the firm of Thornycroft and Co., delivered a lecture at the Royal United Service Institution on the construc- tion and armament of the Thornycroft torpedo vessel and the results of some experiments with them. The lecture was illustrated by diagrams and by the exhibi- tion of two torpedoes, like enlarged eggs, of copper, about three feet long, and capable of explosion (as was shown by experiment, made, of course, without the torpedo being charged) by merely striking against the Wall. Admiral Sir John Hay was in the chair. Lord Alfred Churchill, Lord Ashley, General Hodges, Lord Otho Fitzgerald, Captain Scott, R.N., Captain Colomb, and Captain Evoy, were among those pre- sent. Mr. Donaldson said the Norwegian Government ordered the first torpedo vessel. It was 57ft. long, 7ft. 6in. beam, drew three feet of water, aud the stipu- lated speed was 16 English statute miles, or nearly 14 knots, per hour. The hull of the vessel was con- structed entirely of steel plates and angle bars and divided into six water-tignt compartments, two for stores, two with seats for the crew, and provided with moveable steel covers, two for the steersman and machinery and covered completely with steel plating 3-16ths of an inch thick. Afterwards Mr. Thorney- croft invented the propeller which bears his name, and fitted with it similar boats for the Swedish and Danish Governments. The Result was an increase of speed to 17'27 miles for the Swedish boat, and 18 uo miles (15 5-8th knots) for the Danish boat. Inoug very light these boats were strong. BoatA ten feet longer, and guaranteed to run 15 and 18 knots, were supplied to the French and Austrian Governments. The torpedoes themselves were copper .cases, of sufficient size in the Austrian boat to contam 11,000 cubic centimetres of explosive, and in the French boats to contain 25 kilogrammes of dynamite. The Austrian boat was sent to her destination on a steamer, but the French boats steamed by themselves from Chiswick to Cherbourg, not crossing at the nearest points and running along the shore, but going boldly from Dover direct to Cherbourg. One im- portant result of the experiments made with these boats at Cherbourg was that these little vessels were much better adapted to resist the effects of an explo- sion at the bow than elsewhere, and they were altered so as to attack in front only. Messrs. Thorneycroft are now supplying to the Dutch and Italian Govern- ments boats 76ft. long by 10ft. beam, and guaranteed 18 "knots. The Dutch type will be armed with the outrigger torpedo and the Italian type with the White- head or fish torpedo. The exact details of the con- struction of this torpedo are carefully concealed, but, speaking generally, it is a cigar-shaped vessel varying from 14ft. to 19ft. in length, and from 14in. to 16in. in diameter. It is made of specially-prepared steel, and is divided into three parts—the head, contain- ing the gun-cotton and the exploding apparatus; the central part, containing the machinery; and the third, or tail part, containing the supply of compressed air for the engines. The motive power is supplied by a small engine of the Brother- hood three-cylinder type, so compact an arrangement that an engine capable of indicating 40-horse power can be made weighing only 351b. The working pres- sure of the air in the tail is usually about 1,0001b. per square inch, and the quantity carried is sufficient to propel the largest torpedoes 220 yards at 24 knots, or 1,000 yards at 16 knots. By an arrangement connected with horizontal rudders the rudder can be made to run below the surface of the water at any required depth, and to keep at that depth till the end of its run. Such is the skill already acquired in the use of this torpedo that (it is believed) it would be almost impossible to miss an ironclad at a distance of 1,000 yards even when the ship from which it was fired is moving at from 10 to 12 knots per hour. The Lightning, built for the English Government, is 84ft. by 10ft. lOin. and guaranteed 18 knots. She is intended for use in a tolerably rough sea. She has attained a speed on the measured mile of 19'4 knots, but without hertorpodoes on board. She will be armed with the Whitehead torpe- does. The firm are building six boats 87ft. long by 10ft. 6in. beam for the French Government, and are prepared to build boats capable of maintaining a speed of 25 knots. There is only one fast torpedo launch in the British Navy, while other nations are providing by the dozen for the defence of their principal ports little gray boats which glide noiselessly up like snakes to the ship they attack, so rapidly as to be difficult to hit with cannon. The best defence is to have similar boats cruising as satellities round the vessel attacked, for the torpedo boats can easily be provided with weed-cutters which would cut through netting. In the discussion which followed Captain Scott, R.N., said of the Fish Torpedo that if an accident happened to its tail it might return to those who sent it like a boomerang and explode there. He called atten- tion to the Hale rocket, which, though undeveloped by its late invention, might now by the light of im- provements in smaller rockets, be accurately projected for 5,000 yards (not ],000 only, like the torpedo) with a destructive charge. Mr. Donaldson admitted the importance of the rocket, and in answer to questions said the Norwegian boats cost £1,800 and £3,400, the Dutch type, 76 feet long, £4,750; the Lightning, £5,250; the new French boats, £5,500. The torpedo boats are without sails, only carry coal enough for a very few hours 'consump- tion at their top speed, and could carry a light gun on occasion. In the course of the discussion the story of one of the earliest torpedo-boats was related, the diving-boat which blew up the Housaionic in the Confederate war. She was very dangerous to her own side, and killed twenty-four men in her trials. Nevertheless, there was no difficulty in finding a crew for her, and she succeeded in destroying her more bulky antagonist, but disappeared herself with all on board. Three years afterwards she was found by divers beside the hull she had sunk, with the remains of the nine brave fellows by whom she was manned, and now she is preserved in the museum at Washington. Sir John Hay proposed a vote of thanks for the lecture, which was duly passed.

14ft (fur lumtom (Jomsjotitat. (We deem it right to state that we do not at all times identify ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions.] The discussions respecting the progress of the war in Eastern Europe and the prospects of the combatants, have sometimes taken the turn of speculation as to the chances of annexation should the Muscovite armies succeed in driving the Turks across the Balkans, and in pushing forward in the direction of Constantinople. History has afforded many instances of annexation; but it has invariably been found that where two peoples have been aliens in blood, language, or re- ligion, it has been impossible for them to go along to- gether. England, so to speak, once annexed France, notably in the reigns of Edward III. and Henry V., and for centuries the sovereign of these realms was described in official documents as King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, but what has become of that annexation now ? Its last relic was swept away in the reign of Queen Mary, when the French retook possession of Calais and although the Queen felt the loss so deeply that she declared the word "Calais" would be found graven on her heart after her death, it is only for us to imagine how we should feel if the French held possession of Dover, to see that they acted perfectly within their own rights in retaking their own town. France at one time annexed Spain, but did she keep it ? Austria annexed Italy-did she keep it. True, Prussia annexed Han- over and Saxony in 1866, but then they were all Germans together, and can easily enough live under the same constitution, and be governed by the same laws. But who can suppose that Mus- covite and Moslem could so live and be so governed ? Would Holy Russia and the Sublime Porte be united into one homogenous empire-the banner of the Cross and the Crescent be wrapped affectionately round the double-headed eagle? Would the pious Misssulmau care to embrace those whom he is taught to regard as dogs and infidels ? Even if the other European Powers permitted Russia to hold pessession of Constantinople, a most improbable con- tingency, for Great Britain, Germany and Austria would all have something to say upon that point- it must be clear enough that Russia could never hope to annex any considerable or appreciable part of Turkish territory. Two races more dissimilar can scarcely be found than the hardy Muscovite, accustomed to eternal snow and ice, and the indolent Turk, who languishes under a sunlit sky. In the wars of 1866 and 1870 the movements of the contending armies were so rapid, that people have viewed the compara- ively slow progress of the present campaign with some impatience. But it must be remembered that the country in which hostilities are now going on is a very different one from the localities of the two last wars. Roads are bad, railways are few and in poor condition, mountains have to be scaled, and -rivers crossed. Besides the fighting has to be done on two continents, on the opposite shares of an extensive sea, and the armies are entirely independent of each other. Mars, in heathen mythology, was the god of War, and it so happens that in the autumn of the present year the planet of that name will present an appear- ance of unusual splendour. Sometimes we can admire in our latitudes the light green of Venus, or the faultlessly yellow hue of Jupiter, but Mars presents a colour of blood red, and in August and September next he will be a very striking object in the heavens. As he cannot be seen under such favourable conditions again during this century, or indeed during the lifetime of any of astronomers now. living, considerable interest is attached to the circumstance, and preparations are being made in all observatories for the careful study of the'planet's aspect and positions. Only once in seventy-nine years does Mars shine with such brilliancy as in the ensuing autumn. How many of those who looked upon him so in 1708 will gaze upon him now ? He will shine upon a different world to-day, and when he next comes round under similar conditions, in 1956, further marvellous changes will have passed over the continents, tho islands, and the glittering seas. Two generations will have passed away, will have rested from their labours, leaving their work behind them It is a long time since so many nights' debate upon a great question took place in the House of Commons such as that on the Eastern Question. The division was a foregone conclusion, as of late years has been the stom-at all events in the present Parliament and its predecessor. Majorities of 50 or 100 are the rule how but there were times, not far back in our ''aaaentaryhistory, when majorities of one settled n our administration. There was one r this in 1831, when the num- w and again in 1841, Tie closest party "ise to a hers ued in the ision—-ITI the Commons iC is clear, will have to go without their -■utu bridge for some tiD" to come. All the plans for widening Lon«io11 Bridge having been re- jected, as tendiBg to søø.r the symmetry of that struc- ture, notice wa.ø given of a Bill for building a new bridge between the Tower and Tooley-street, which, while it would have enormously relieved the traffic would have materially interfered with a number of wharves on both sides of the river. So it was very strongly opposed,, and has now been withdrawn, as Ti?re fS n0 P'mibiUty 'rf its being passed this session. erefore ail tie vehicular traffic which finds it accessary to cross from one bank of the river to the other, must travel for miles before it can find an opportunity of doing so, London Bridge being the nearest to the German Ocean, towards which the Thames makes it way for forty miles after it has passed beneath the arches of that structure. There is a subway for foot passengers, and a steam ferry for vehicles, but another bridge would be a great blessing. The total absence of such accommodation below the point I have mentioned has ofteif excited the surprise of foreigners. The re-opening of the Alexandra Palace was an vent which created much sympathetic interest in the North of London. If it is not in mortals to command success, it is for them to deserve it, and the history of this undertaking has been one of gallant struggle with many difficulties for many years past. Few will forget the profound sorrow which was expressed in the metropolis on the afternoon of Monday the 9th of June 1873, when dense volumes of smoke, darkening .he summer sky, told the sad story of the destruction of the Palace, which had been opened under such happy auspices only sixteen days before. The directors, with true British pluck and energy, met in one of the "ooms of the smouldering building which the fire had spared, and resolved upon a reconstruction of the edifice. Between Muswell Hill, on which the Alexandra Palace stands, and Sydenham, the site of the Crystal Palace, the vast extent of London lies, and all who take an interest in the well-being and recreation of the people give both institutions their best wishes. The view from the terrace at Sydenham embraces a sweep >f the quiet scenery of the Home counties the spectacle to be witnessed from Muswell Hill is of a very different character. Standing high above the dust and smoke of London, and with the village of Hornaey immediately beneath, the great capital lies outspread in the distance, with its streets and squares, its steeples and its church towers, its multitudinous inhabitants with their diverse interests, its area inter- sected by the broad stream of the Thames, looking afar off like a tangled skein, and the ships moving up and down its surface resembling tiny immovable specks, giving no idea of the wealth, the power, and the commerce which they represent. In many ways the members of the Royal Family of England show their sympathy with works which have for their object the improvement of the condition of the people. It would he difficult to say how many honorary offices the Prince of Walei4 holds-honorary being used as u is anguished from ornamental-offices in which he takes occasion to render himself practi- cally acquainted with work of a useful character. Say, for instance, that he is patron of a charitable institution, or a president of a hospital, he is expected to take the chair at an anniversary festival of the former, or at the opening of a new wing of the latter, and never disappoints the supporters of either if he can help it. The Princesses, too, in moving about London manifest their interest in much good work which is going on, although it may not make much noise in the world. I was a witness of one example of this only a few days ago. A numerous and fashionable company had assembled at the Society of Arts, the Duke of West- minster m the chair, for the purpose of listening to an address from Miss Octavia Hill, on the importance of preserving to the poor the use of open spaces. The lady had scarcely opened her lecture before the, Princess Louise, attended by Lady Sophia Macnamara entered the hall, the whole company 1 ism0". Her Royal Highness remained throughout the whole' of the proceedings, and must have been well repaid for the hour so spent in the Adelphi, for a more eloquent appeal has seldom been heard there. I have often marvelled at the astonishing acquaintance which Charles Dickens possessed of the slums of London, as pourtrayed in Oliver Twist, but this seemed to be quite equalled by Miss Hill's graphic descriptioas of the dens of Whitecross-street and the squalor of Spitalfields. When she spoke of the green fields and the leafy lanes so far away from town, and of the deep blue sea, so irrisistible in its might, so vast in its immensity, so silent in its majesty, and reminded her hearers that both fields- and sea were equally inaccessible to the dwellers in our courts and alleys, founding upon that an earnest plea why the closed graveyards should be made beau- tiful by being planted with shrubs arid flowers, and thus turned into breathing places for the poor, a pin might have been heard to drop amongst her auditory, and she sat down amid the warm plaudits of those who admired the noble purpose to which she has devoted her life. One moveable festival passeth away, and another cometh. We have not left Easter far behind when Whitsuntide is close upon us with its promise of longer days and brighter weather. These two bank holidays are the nearest together in time of the whole number, for they are divided by only setfen weeks. After Whit-Monday we shall have to wait until the first Monday in August, and then comes the longest spell, nearly five months, and lasting until Boxing Day, when a very powerful contmst between the two seasons is perceptible. The origin of the term Whitsuntide has been variously accounted for. Some have ascribed it to the tide--i.e., to the time-of a white or unclouded- sun, when the great luminary of the day shines with an undimmed brilliancy, lighting up both sea and land, and making glad the hearts of those who dwell in cot- tages as well as those of the occupants of palaces. But the more generally rendered acceptation is that Whit- suntide is a festival appointed to commemorate the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles. The newly baptised persons, or catechumens as they were called, used to wear white garments on Whit-Sunday. The wearing of white or new apparel on that occasion is a custom in many places even to this day. After a long succession of south-west winds, bringing with them the watery vapours of the Atlantic, when the air is surcharged with moisture, and the land, like a heavy sponge, refuses to receive any more water, a drying north-east wind is a great blessing to the country. But let the wind blow from the east con- tinuously for a fortnight, and a hot glaring sun come to the assistance of that arid breeze in parching up the land, and then how welcome is a shower of rain The heat has laid the thirsty soil in cracks, and it seems to make a mute appeal to heaven for relief, almost as powerful as the prayer of 1\ human being could be. Coolness pervades the stifling street, and freshness the woods- The sick man from his chamber Looks at the twisted brooks He can feel the cool Breath of each little pool; His fevered brain Grows calm again, And he breathes a blessing on the rain." On every side, in country and in town, upon the furrowed field and in the landscape, to the drooping grass, and to the dry grain, the summer shower is as welcome as to the toiling and patient oxen at the plough, whose large and lustrous eyes seems to express even more thankfulness than man's spoken word can do.

THE PAPAL JUBILEE. The Correspondent of The Times, writing from Rome on the 13th, says :— Yesterday the Pope received the Scotch pilgrims, who were led by Bishop Strain, Vicar Apostolic at Edinburgh. Among them were Mr. Moiateit-h of Carstairs, Mr. Hunter Blair, Mr. Ogilvy Fairlie, Lady Alexander Lennox, the Rev. Lord Archibald Douglas, the Hon. Mr. Maxwell Stuart, Mr. Alex- ander Fletcher, Major Graham, the Misses Sperling, Mr. Martin Dow, Jerome Vaughan, who has brought the plans of the intended new Benedictine Monastery at Fort Augustus, Inverness; the Rev. Dr. Smith, ot Perth, and others. The address was read by Bishop Strain, stating that from far distant Scotland, the Ultima Thule, a faithful adherent of the Holy See until the great apostasy of the 16th century, they had come to present their honjage to His Holiness on this festal occasion personal to himself, to which all the world was crowding, and expressing the conviction that numbers would return to the Catholic faith, now beginning to bloom again in Scotland, where his Holiness had established a hierarchy, as he had in England. In replying His Holiness expressed satisfaction at seeing his faithful children from Scotland and from the modem Athens, but he regretted the preponder- ance of Presbyterians in their country. Alluding to the revival of the Benedictine Order in Scotland, he said that the moment had not yet arrived, which he trusted would come during his own Pontificate, for the restoration it the hierarchy to the phases of religious fait,ti. He spoke of the poet, Thomas Moore, who had written a b-k entitled "Travels of an Irish Gentle- I man in Search of a Religion," and who came to the condition that the Catholic was the only true one. "After His Uniness had imparted the Apostolic BenedictionXMr. Monteith of Carstaire, on behalf "f the pilgvimk presented an offering of £ 2,000, with a number of efclesiastical vestments, chalices, and otL»-r { articles of cjftuxh furniture. The ■ > ijWK cttf1 Tie UStKi de Rome from an attack of pleurisy, sequence of being exposed to the draught ow at one of the receptions given bv i on Thursday Being nnabÍe, there- the Vatican, the I ope sent her a special oenedicti^n. and a tridu urn has been offered up for her <■ hur-h of the Virgin. Her son, Lord R;Upii -rrivedlast night. The Duk^of Norfolk, Lord and Lady Denbigh, Lord Gainsborough, Mr. Bellingham, Lady London- derry, Lady Glossop, the Mayor of Preston, and other English pilgrims have been received in private audiences by the Pope previous to taking leave. LATER. The Marchioness of Lothian died here at five o'clock this afternoon, after three days' illness." The Marchioness Dowager of Lothian, whose sudden death at Rome took place as announced above, was aunt to the Earl of Shrewsbury, whose still more sudden death occurred on Friday last. Her ladyship was Lady Cecil Talbot, second .daughter of Charles, second Earl Talbot, and sister of the third earl, who established his claim in 1858 to the earldoms of Shrewsbury, Wexford, and V. otcrford. She was bom in April, 1808, and married in 10;)1, .J .hii, seventh Marquis of Lothian, who died in 1841, and by whom she was the mother of the late and present marquises, and also of five other children. Lords Ralph, Walter, and John Kerr, and Ladies Cecil and Alice Kerr, the last of whom is married to Mr. Thomas <*aisforuB of Omngton, Sussex. Lady Lothian was a convert to the Roman Catholic Church of many years' standing, and took an active part in promoting the pilgriniage to laray-le- Monial and to Pontigny in 1873 and 1874. She was also well known for her many charities and good deeds, and her loss will be much regretted by the Roman Catholic body in this country.

Magnet says the growing crops mostly growth ""ttder weather Raying stimulated their

There are now seven war correspondents with head- quarters at KiscfceglfiL At first admission tP join the Russian "jf holly refused but 9. council was held, hi VT* strongly urged th&tyhe pro- c oiuoe 1 -Si'Ti atdmjue- tu avjiir. -the Voters vt UleffS reifr privileged gent t'\i will be allowed to pass with- out urficial insyecti';u. -in order to forestall any transfer or misuse of this indulgence, every correspondent with the Russian armies will receive a numbered medal to wear, with an inscription showing his name and function, sc This medal will serve him 13 a passport everywhere; and it carries on its reverv a pholographs the wearer, in order to put ihe question 0f identity beyond dispute. The Correspondent of The Times at Pera, says I have

learnt on the highest authority that the British Government have ordered a well-known firm of bankers here to purchase 100,000 head of cattle. The Turks comn.enced a heavy artillery attack upon Kalafat last Saturday evening, and continued it until dark- ness prevented further firing. One Roumanian officer is re- ported killed, and one lost a leg. There are as yet no other details. Budiarest journals states that the Turks have crossed the Pm? j e u ^i°ciianesch, and have stolen 1,200 sheep and killed a shepherd and some cattle. .^j^urkish vessels have appeared off Odessa to take sound- All the principal railway stations in Roumania have been occupied by Russians. Austria and Spain have issued declarations enjoining strict neutrality on their subjects. s Thirty-three thousand Bulgarians, encamped near Ploiesta, nave been supplied by the Moscow Panslav Committee with £ U11S) 6,000 uniforms, 20 000 rifles, and 1,600,060 cart- ridges. The Havre branch of the International Society for Help to the Wounded has resolved to forward to St. Petersburg the stores remaining from the War of 1870. Iskander Khan, nephew of the Ameer of Afghanistan, has left Brindisi for Constantinople to offer his services to the Sultan. The Turkish Parliament has voted thanks to the English Government for its reply to the Russian Circular. The Russian fleet, under Admiral Boutakoff, now in American waters, has been ordered to return immediately to Cronstadt. The Khedive is to send to Stamboul 11,000 troops, con- sisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. The transports Me ready, and are only waiting for the Turkish convoy, which is expected daily. The Egyptian Parliament has voted a war tax. The flag taken from the Turkish ironclad sunk off Braila

has, at the Czar's request, been forwarded to St. Petersburg, where it will be placed in the chapel of the palace. General Tchernayeff has returned to St. Petersburg with-

ANTI-RUSSIAN DEMONSTRATION IN HYDE PARK. An "anti-Russian demonstration" was held in Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon. There were about fifty persons present when the proceedings commenced, but the crowd swelled to the extent of several hun- dreds before they concluded. Placards were exhibited, one of which bore the inscription, Long live Ireland and Poland and all oppressed countries," whilst on another were the words "Long live Poland. Death or Glory." It had been announced that the meeting would be addressed by members of both Houses of Par- liament, but none were present. The chair was taken by Mr. John Rogers, president of the" Manhood Suf- frage League," and the speakers were Mr. Maltman Barry Mr. W. Morgan, and other members of the league. The first resolution proposed denounced'' the murderer of Poland, the butcher of Central Asia, and the despotic oppressor of the Russian people," and as- serted that the present war was undertaken prima- rily, to secure an increase of territory, but principally, by promoting a general war, to delay the emancipation of the working classes of Europe." This and another resolution condemning the atrocity agitation of last autumn, were, amidst considerable confusion, declared to be carried, the chairman declinino to put any amendments. There was a third resolution on the programme calling upon the British Government "to fulfil, in conjunction with the Government of Austria- Hungary, the obligations incurred by the Tripartite Treaty of April. 1856, and thereby restore the peace of Europe," but before this could be put the pressure of the crowd rendered the position of the pei sons on the platform untenable, and then the surg- ing crowd overturned the platform, as a sort of protest against the refusal to permit an amendment, and the demonstration came to an end.

THE LONDON SCHOOL BOARD.- THE "FURUSTTLVULIFTT QUESTION." At the weekly meeting of the London School Board, Sir Charles Read presiding, the" punishment. ques- tion" was again the subject of a long discussion. Some time since the Board passed a resolution that head teachers only should punish children, and that the punishment should be inflicted upon the children after school hours, so as to prevent the infliction of punishment under the influence of temper. The head teachers waited as a deputation upon the Board, and urged that the adoption of this rule as an invariable practice would greatly interfere with their labours in maintaining discipline. The School Management Committee proposed that permission should be given to deviate from the rules already laid down. The original rule ran as follows Every occurrence of corporal punishment must be for- mally recorded in a book kept for the purpose. Head teachers must exercise the utmost caution in mulcting cor- poral punishment, so as never to strike a child on any part of the head, either with the hand, or with any instrument whatsoever. Corporal punishment must not be inflicted during school hours. The name of any child to be punished shall be put down, and the cases of corporal punishment be dealt with at a particular time set apart for the purpose. Assistant teachers and pupil teachers are absolutely pro- hibited from inflicting such punishment. The head teacher is held directly responsible for every punishment of the kind," The Rev. John Rodgers moved, on behalf of the Committee, that the following addition should be made to the rule :— Head teachers may iuflict immediate corporal punish- nieut in exceptional cases, which, in their judgment, require such a course but a special report of each ease must be made by them in the punishment book, giving in full the reasons for departing from the ordinary rule of the Board." Mr. Lucraft expressed his strong dislike to corporal punishment, and he spoke of himself as being es- pecially opposed to this punishment upon girls. He mentioned that he had seen dogs kept down by a look from their masters, and therefore to punish children was to treat the future working classes of London worse than dogs were treated. He moved, as an amendment, that after "head teacher" in the pro- posed addition to the rules, the words "of boys' schools," so as to limit the punishment to boys' schools. Mr. E. N. Buxton seconded the amendment, but wished that the recommendation could be altogether rejected. Mrs. Westlake considered that it was better that any punishment inflicted upon children should be short and sharp rather than that they should be subjected to such punishments as were called "moral punish- ments," which would dwell both in their minds and in the minds of their teachers. Such punishments as standing on forms or in a corner she regarded as tor- ture. The" corporal punishment" of a slight tap on the hand, against which Mr. Lucraft protested, was not so bad as the other forms of punishment adopted in its place, as those other punishments lowered the child's self-respect, and kept the child in the mind of the teachers as one who had offended. Mr. Collins and Mr. Heller supported the recom- mendation of the Committee. Miss Helen Taylor said she should be glad indeed if she thought that the Board would adopt an amend- ment to abolish corporal punishment altogether, for if she had any hope that the Board would assent to such a principle she would once propose it. As, however, she had no hope that the Board would assent to abolish corporal punishment altogether, she would not waste time, but would support the amendment. The inflic- tion of blows, especially upon girls, was altogether antagonistic to self-respect, and a girl who had not been subjected to thistreatmefit would feel more shame at doing wrong than would a girl whose little faults were punished by blows. It was desirable that endeavours should be made in every way to lessen recourse to violence among the people, and this must be begun by lessening violence to children. Then, too, to punish girls for being late and for truancy, and this was the chief fault of the girls, was to punish them for the faults of their mothers, who kept the girls from regular attendance to "mind the baby, to attend upon granny," or to do little household duties, lo punish girls in these circumstances was to punish them for obeying their parents. Mr. Lovell said his exeperiences on Committee had given him instances of parents declaring that they had beaten children within an inch of their lives," and while this went on there was little hope of dealing with children otherwise than with corporal punishment. Mrs. Surr, while she thought a little pat on the hand might be given to infafits, was entirely opposed to the corporal punishment of girls. The Rev. Dr. Maguire and Mr. Firth spoke, and then the Rev. J. Redgers pointed out that the teachers had in many instances to deal with children of an ex- ceptional class—those from the street, who were not subjected to discipline at home. He thought that the whole matter should be left to the discretion of the teachers, and that if the teachers were in any cases proved to be unworthy of the trust, the Board should relieve them of their position. The amendment was negatived, and the original motion was carried. 0

MEAT AND STOCK IMPORTS. Professor Gamgee write to The Times from King's- road, Chelsea *—"An important fact has come to my knowledge. The great success attending the transport of fresh meat from America to this country has in- duced a movement for its supply to Hamburg and Antwerp. The price of meat is greater on the European Continent, than in the United States and Canada. If arrangements be made to ship meat east- ward, after it has crossed the Atlantic, what possible objection can there be to continental meat shipments being made to supersede the disease-bearing live stock imports across the German Ocean? Advocating this has been regarded by some as in agitation in fayour of the agricultural interest. With me it has beet racher in behalf of the towns. Stockowners have it is true, learnt too late that the proposals made by me yean since are not adverse to their interests. Their conver- sion has been slow, though well-nigh universal. The acceptance of the truth has been delayed to that period when the course of trade has actually afforded its ample and convincing demonstrations. This necessitates, however, that all our energies be directed to the restoration and permanent health of our herds and flocks. British meat producers cannot exist with meat at 5d. and 6d. per lb., as we shall assuredly have it, if they must submit also to losses by foreign plagues caused by the international cattle trade. We are prepared for more official caution, the synonym of ignorance on this question, but the common sense of the country must refuse to encourage and render pprmanent, costly and vexa^ tious home trade restrictions, forming part. o. that vicious system the ddath-knell of which hai" sounded at last."

Iltisalkirmts !nt £ l% £ tt £ £ HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. THE VARIOUS TONES OF Cows.—A composer ol originality might make a great deal of the fact for & new opera that the cow has at least four tones, or Iowa (says the Court Journal). First, there is her alarmed or distressed low, when deprived of her calf, or separated from her mates—her low of affection. TheB there is her call of hunger, a petition for food, some- times full of impatience, or her answer to the farmer s call, full of eagerness. Then there is that peculiar, frenzied bawl she utters on smelling blood, which causes every member of the herd to lift its head and hasten to the spot—the native cty of the clan. V hen she is bored, or in great danger, she bavvls also out that is different. And, lastly, there is the y sonorous volley she lets off on the hills, or in they -a, or along the highway, and which seems to be expres- sive of a kind of unrest and vague longing-the long- ing of the imprisoned 10 for her lost identity, one sends her voice forth so that every god on Moun Olympus can hear her plaint. She makes this souncli the morning, especially in the spring, as she goes lortn to graze. THE WAY LIVE NOW.—Popular address to » cold Spring, specially adapted to the present weather Hail, vernal seasou r (and hail it does, accordingly.) —Judy. WEATHER CHARTS.—In the House of Commons, on Monday evening, Sir E. Lechmere asked the Presi- dent of the Board of Trade whether it was true that Captain Charles Chapman, of the merchant service, was the inventor of the Weather Chart now in use by 'the Meteorological Office, and through that office by The Times, the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, and other newspapers; and, if so, whether Captain Chapman was not entitled to a letter of thanks from the department which avails itself daily of his inven- tion; and whether the Meteorological Office made any charge for furnishing the information which appears in the weather charts under various forms in the newspapers.—Sir C. Adderley: Captain Chapman is not the inventor of the weather charts in the form in which they are now supplied to the newspapers. The Meteorological Office makes no charge for tables or paragraphs, but it makes a charge for charts suffi- cient, but not more than sufficient, to pay its own expenses. The Times pays JE500 a year for its morning edition, but there is no profit out of this to the Me- teorological Committee. Captain Chapman intro- duced into the Shipping Gazette a chart in 1871. MINING ACCIDENT IN FRANCE.—A sad accident happened during the course of the past week at a coal mine belonging to the Roche la Moliere Company, in the department of the Loire, which presents features very similar to those of the recent disaster at Pontypridd. Some men were at work in the pit when one of them in a new drift struck his pick into the wall of an 'old working which had become filled with water, a stream of which gushed out and ex- tinguished the lights. The men attempted to ping the hole, but in the excitement of the moment failed in the effort. Of the three men who were working in the drift in question one immediately groped his way towards the main shaft, and warned his fellovtwork- men the other two were less fortunate. They took refuge in a gallery above the level of the outlet of water, but were imprisoned by the fall of the sides and roof of the workings, occasioned by the increased rush of the stream. The accident took place on Tuesday last, and efforts have been made during the whole of the interval to cut away at three different points to the imprisoned men, but hitherto are unsuccessful. A CASE ILLUSTRATING A RULE OF THE_ COURT.—In the Hi°-h Court of Justice (Chancery W^ion), before Vice-Chancellor Sir J. Bacon, the cause of Fowler v. Powell" has been heard, and was a curious case illus- trating the rule of the Court—that any person claim- ing property under a gratuitous gift must, if the gift is disputed, prove that the giver understood what he was doing and was under no undue influence. The plaintiff, as executor of Mrs. Eddowes, a lady who died at the age of 86, claimed a leasehold house at St. Pancras which she had bequeathed by her will. The defendant who had been the old lady's tenant claimed the same house under a voluntary deed which he produced, and whicu pro- fessed to assign the lease of the house to hira. The and the will were both dated the same day, and both included the house in question: and the defendant contended that, at. the will took effect onl> at her death, the gift to him must prevai;. Vice- Chancellor Bacon held that the detenuant had proved that the ladv knew what she was doing when she aligned the property to him. She had no lawyer of her own and no independent a/1 we, and as the rule of the court was that every perso:; claiming under a voluntary or gratuitous gift must "how that the giver was not only tree from undue influence, but was also well aware of the effect of his act- the title of the executor must prevail. A THEATRE PANIC.—One of those theatre panics to which, since the burning of the Brooklyn Theatre, playgoers are more than ever liable to be seized with, occurred one evening last week at the Theatre Francaise, Rouen. The curtain had just risen when the occupants of the gallery were alarmed by a red light through the windows at the back, caused by a. chimney being on fire in a neighbouring house. A cry of fire" was raised by some one, and in an instant there was a general stampede of actors and specta- tors. The curtain was lowered, but the manager, who presen ed. his presence of mind, came forward and aJ1- nounced in a loud voice that there was no danger to any one present. After a few. moments it was dis- covered that there was really no cause for alarm, and the fugitives, by the exertions of the theatre officials, were induced to return to their seats. Happily the theatre was very thinly attended, and but for this cir- cumstance there can be little doubt that the means ot egress from the building would soon have been blocked up by a mob of persons, and that the panic would have ended in a tragedy. LONDON Firffes.—Captain Shaw, chief of the Metro- politan Fire Brigade, was a witness on Monday before the Select Committee which is inquiring into the best means of protecting London from fires. Instituting a comparison between London, Paris, New York. and Chicago, he showed that the cost of the brigade was less in London than in either of the other three cities- With regard to salvage, Captain Shaw said he believed that if the police were made a salvage corps to protect uninsured property the cost should fall upon the owners of that property. He called attention to the extreme danger of having the safety of the metropolis entrusted to too many organisations. Witness further stated that as a public servant he should always be very much averse to using a chemical preparation in the extinction of fires. Chemicals were very destruc- tive to certain classes of property, and should only be used by private persons. Captain Shaw recommended that there should be telegraphic communication be- tween the police and the brigade stations. He further recommended that there should be barriers in the passages of theatres, and that there should be afire- proof curtain in all theatres, which should be imme- diately let down on a fire breaking out behind the scenes. PAGANINI'S LAST MOMENTS.—Some details have inst been published of the death of a remarkable man. The sun was chining brightly in Nice, where Paganini lay dying. He who had kept thousands in a wrapt awe by the melody of his music, was left to the care of & poor old woman in his death. His figure was so quaint that nothing but his great talent kept back the shouts of laughter which otherwise would have been excited by it. After his death there was much disputing about his poor body. The religious authorities at Nice would not allow him to be buried there, because heTiad died without the Sacraments, and the vessel which was engaged to carry his body to his native city of Genoa declined to do so. The landlord wanted to let his house and the corpse was laid in the cellar untu he could find a more lasting resting place. Accustomed in early life to great poverty, Paganini could never spend his money freely, and earned the reputation of being a miser. His housekeeper was told to bargain for the last meal which the dying man was able to eat. A HINT TO POULTRY KEEPERS.—Now there is another man, says the Danhvry News, who thinks he knows how to make hens lay, and he communicates the process to one of the agricultural papers. It is in the food, of course. That's what all the philosophers of dirt (agriculturists) say. When will the true no- bility of a hen be understood ? Hens are not machines. They are reasoning, thinking heings. If there is one sight more impressive than another, it is a hen think- ing. If you want to make a hen lay get on her best side. Work on her feelings. This can be done by studying her nature and learning her tastes. this accomplished, go to work to show her that you are her friend, and not a grinding, grasping leech with no higher ambition than worming eggs out of her. When a hen sees that you love her and respect her, that you are truly her friend,'that you are in active sympathy with her reachings out for the indefinable in nature, she will just turn her toes in, tighten her jaws, and fairly fill the entire atmosphere with eggs. AN AMERICAN RAT-TRAP.— A new kind of rat-trap is in great favour on the other side of the Atlantic. A mirror placed behind the bait is so arranged as to attract the attention of passing rats. Anxiety to extend their circle of acquaintance, and the fear ot being second at the feast combine to banish all timidity or caution, and they hurry to their fate. Or, possibly they know more about mirrors than we give them credit for, and a spice of pardonable vanity leads on the better looking females to destruction. Statistics to determine this point are wanting, but anyhow the trap is said to act most successfully. THE TICHBORNE CASE.—The following letter has been received by Mr; de Morgan in reply to a com- munication addressed to the Queen Buckingham Palace.—Lieut.-General Sir T. M. Biddulphis desired to acknowledge Mr. John de Morgan's letter to the Queen asking her Majesty to receive a deputation res- pecting the Claimant to the Tichborne estates. He is to say that it is not her Majesty's custom to receive deputations, and that any petition to her Majesty should be addressed through the Secretary of State tor the Home Department." In reply to a letter asking for aportrait of the Claimant, for purposes of identifica- tion, Mr. de Morgan has received the following; "Dartmoor Prison.—I am in receipt of your application for a portrait of convict 1,139, Thomas Castro, and beg to inform you that I cannot comply with your request. -1 am, &c., W. G. O. HARRIS, Governor.