The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

K- — POLITICAL GOSSIP -+-- THE Queen has conferred the vacant Blue Ribbon of the Garter UDon Earl Cowper. Her Majesty has also been pleased to grant the vacant Green Ribbon of the Thistle to Earl Stair. IN the diplomatic department we hear that Mr. Locock, second Secretary of Embassy, is transferred from St. Petersburg to the Hague; Hon. H. Wode- house, Second Secretary, goes from the Hague to Madrid; Mr. Eden, Third Secretary, is promoted from Lisbon to Dresden; Mr. Raby, Vice-Consul at Toultcha, is appointed Consul at Jed dah. A CURIOUS specimen'of German ideas of freedom was given at the recent elections in the Duchy of Nassau, whereat the burgomasters announced that no one was to speak to his neighbour on the subject, and that the meeting of more than three persons in the street was prohibited. This arbitrary edict opposition has not, however, prevented the party from gaining a victory even more complete than they had dared to hope. MR. ARUNDEL:F. SPARKS, agent to Mr. Whitmore, the unsuccessful candidate at the Bridgnorth eleation, writes to the Times to state that the majority of one, by which the contest was decided in favour of Sir John Acton, was obtained by employing a man to per. sonate his father, who died ten years ago. Mr. Sparks further states that twenty-nine of Sir John Acton's votes were polled by paupers or by former electors who had lost their qualification. THE Cork Constitution says:Every Sunday some hundreds of embryo "Fenians" may be seen at "exercise" in a field between Midleton and Dun- gourney. They go there in groups, sometimes singing seditious songs as they march, and have sentries posted to give notice of an unwelcome approach. They are young men of sixteen or eighteen, but they seem qualifying for work that may bring no good to their cause or to themselves. They break down hedges without compunction, and care little for any damage they may do. We have heard that some gentlemen are obliged to remain from church to pro- tect their property. THERE are only two constituencies in England and Wales, returning two members, which have been faithful to the same representatives from the Reform Bill of 1832 down to the present time. They are Wenlock and Marlborough; the former having re- turned Messrs. Gaskell and Forester at each general election, and the latter Lord E. Bruce and Mr. H. B. Baring. THERE is to be a petition against Mr. Waldron's re- turn for Tiverton. It is said that his majority of three over Mr. George Denman was obtained by his agents polling in his favour three lunatics. MR. LOWE, M.P., in his speech at Calne, said ironi- cally of the elective franchise, Why stop at the ladies? It was an old story in Greece that Themis- tocles was governed by his wife, that his wife was governed by the child, and that, therefore, the child of Themistocles governed Greeoe. As children exercised Bo potential an influence, why not give them a voice in the representation ? Only the ballot should be applied, lest they should be subjected to the illegiti- mate influence of their nurses." THE following is a copy of a document said to have been opened in Edinburgh:—"I hereby offer a bet of £ 5 that I' will produce a man to vote for Messrs. Miller and M'Laren that has previously pledged to Mr. A. B. to vote for Messrs. Black and Moncrieff, and signed for the same." Then follow in due form the signatures both of the offerer and acceptor of the bet. The offerer was as good as his word-having pro- duced, not one man, but scores of men, to vote for Messrs. M'Laren and Miller, who had formerly pledged to Mr. Black and the Lord Advocate. THE following is a specimen of Western eloquence: -(I Where is Earope, compared with America? Nowhar! Where is England r Nowhar! They call England the mistress of the sea, but what makes the sea ? The Mississippi makes it, and all we've got to do is to turn the Mississippi into the Mammoth Cave, and the English navy will be floundering in the mud!" IT is rumoured that there will shortly be important legal changes. Chief Baron Pollock is eighty-two years of age, and it has been known for some time past that he would resign his seat if a Conservative Government were in office. But as the result of the general election renders the return of the Conserva- tives for some years to come very improbable, it is believed that he has now at last determined to vacate the post which he has so long and worthily filled. It is also said that Baron Martin, his son-in-law, who is sixty-three years of age, will retire, and that the two Chief Justices, Cockburn and Erie, will be raised to the Peerage, in order to give strength, which is sorely needed, to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the Court of Appeal. Should these rumours prove true, two new judges will have to be appointed. WE understand, says a London contemporary, that, at a meeting of Mr. Gladstone's Oxford committee, it was decided that the expenses attending the late Oxford University election should be borne by his friends, in accordance with precedent. The University election, as far as Mr. Gladstone is concerned, may therefore be regarded as a model for other con- stituencies, as the supporters of that gentleman have given much of their valuable time on his behalf, and have now adopted the dignified course of paying his expenses. THE electors of Lambeth are raising a subscription to pay all the election expenses of their pdpular member, Mr. Hughes. The Spectator understands that Mr. Hughes has repeatedly asked for his election bills, but cannot get them from his committee. The reply is that it is their affair, not his, and that he will hear no more of the expenses of the election. The money will be chiefly raised by a shilling subscription among the working men. A VOTER is said to have been taken to the poll, at the North Warwickshire election, and asked if he would vote for Newdegate, Bromley, or Muntz ? He waited not longer than to hear the first-mentioned, when he stormed out, Newdegate be [here something awful)!" at the first word. The gentleman whe issued the poll thanked him politely, and recorded a plumper for Mr. Newdegate. SiO1 VTMONBES were issued a few days ago for a Cabin :t Council which met on Monday afternoon at the nrst Lord of the Treasury's official residence in Downing-street. The Chancellor at the Exchequer is arrived in town from Hawarden-castle. The next day the right, hon. gentleman left London, just in time for the Cabinet Council, on a visit to the Queen at Os- borne. Sir Charles Wood has returned to town from Yorkshire. Sir George Grey, Lord Stanley of Alderley, Mr. C. P. Yilliers, Mr. Cardwell, and the Lord Chan- cellor are in town. Lord de Grey and Ripon, Lord Russell, Lord Clarendon, and Mr. Milner Gibson also attended the Council. AN unusually large number of university and lite- rary men have been returned for the first time to the new Parliament, but at the same time many men of high university and llteAraf/ demotion have been rejected. Mr. Michael Arthur Bass, who has been returned for Stafford, is a member of TrmityCollege, Cambridge, where he graduated ^SO.MrG. O. Trevelyan, the Competition WaMflJ, ^asbeen elected for Tynemouth, is a 1Rfl, lege, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1861, ^enhe was second on the first list of classical t P>* • H. Gladstone, who has been elected for Chester, is a member of Christ Church, Oxford, where he g in 1862, taking a third class in mathematics. J»ir. Arthur Peel, youngest son of the late Sir Robert Peel, who has been returned for Warwick, was ed- cated at Oriel College, Oxford, where he graduated m 1848. Mr. W. H. Stone, who has been returned tor Portsmouth, was educated at Trinity College, Cam- bridge, where he graduated in 1857, being 30th wrangler with mathematical tripos, and ninth in the first class in classics. Mr. Schreiber, who has been elected for Cheltenham, was educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, of which he became a fellow, and was in the second class in classics. Mr. J. D. Coleridge, who has been elected member for Exeter, was educated at Exeter College, Oxford, and afterwards became a fellow of Balliol. He graduated in 1842. Lord Dun- can returned for South Warwickshire, is an Oxford classical "first" of last year. Mr. Henry Fawcett, who has been returned for Brighton, was educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1856, when he was seventh wrangler. Amongst the literary men who have been for the first time returned are Mr. Forsyth Q.C.,lthe author of "The Life of Cicero; Mr. J. Stuart Mill, Mr. Thomas Hughes, Mr. Torrens, and Mr. Oliphant. Amongst the literary and univer- sity men who took high honours who have been rejected may be mentioned Mr. Lamont, Mr. Passmore Edwards, Mr. Alfred Austin, Mr. Mason Jones, Mr. Fremantle (scholar and first-class man of Balliol Col- lege, Oxford), the Hon. W. Brodrick, of Oxford; the Hon. Reginald Abbot (a double first at Oxford), Mr. -d. G. Thomson, a classical "first" at Cambridge,- and the Hon. T. C. Bruce, a wrangler, and first-class man of Cambridge.

A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. As your correspondent during the Parlia- mentary vacation, I must take the most pro- minent subject of the last few days, and record my own views of the great Volunteer Meeting at Wimbledon. To any one who has not witnessed such a scene before, the encampment at Wim- bledon is as curious a sight as could be seen in any country. We have been told that English- men do not equal foreigners in the art of making camp life comfortable, and pitching a home on the plain; but I must confess that, after seeing a great deal of that kind of thing in other parts of the world, nothing in my observa- tion has come up to the neatness and comfort of the Wimbledon Camp. It has been said that the great metropolis is near at hand, and that the volunteers individually are many of them pos- sessed of very deep and well-lined pockets, from which a X50 note is scarcely missed. Speaking, however, of my own experience, I went through miles and miles of these encampments, and though, in some of the tents, princely luxuries were introduced, and a chef de cuisine was there to supply the wants of the inner man, for the most part the volunteers roughed it like soldiers; they lay in their tents all. night, contented themselves with rough fare in the morning, went through heavy drill during the day, and partook of rations such as are enjoyed by- ordinary soldiers. A curious incident came under my notice during the meeting, serving to show that volunteers willingly submit to dis- cipline. It had rained heavily for some forty- eight hours, and here and there upon the common the hollows had filled with water, well mixed with mud; in advancing the commanding officers generally avoided these spots, but upon this occa- sion a whole corps advanced hip deep into one of these morasses; the commanding officer, feel- ing a regard for his men, called Halt," which was done at once; whereas had they gone a few feet farther they would have been clear. The officer, who chanced to be short- sighted, applied his glass, and looking hither and thither, and consulting his coadjutors, after keeping them a couple of minutes in this pre- dicament, cried Quick march," and, amid much laughter, the men got away from their dis- agreeable position. As to the shooting, the ordinary reports will tell you that it was far above the average, and a jollier, happier lot of fellows than the volunteer competitors I think I never saw together; there was a friendly rivalry, but this elid, not beget enmity, and whoever won was congratulated on all sides. It was a funny sight in the evening to see some thousands assembled in a large building called the Theatre, and here at eleven o'clock at night, after the amateurs had gone through their performances, God Save the Queen" was sung, and away went members of the various corps-east, west, north, and south—in search of their tents, which, on a dark night, often occupied a lengthened time, more especially as this year no camp fires were allowed, which, although it might be considered a good precautionary measure, cer- tainly at this meeting lessened the picturesqueness of the scene. But I have not space to dwell upon preliminary proceedings, so I will take my readers with me on the great review day. The Wimbledon Volunteer Ground consists of about forty-eight acres of Common enclosed all round with boards, closely knit together, ten feet high. Spectators from without could see only the tops of tents, and the grand stand and refreshment-rooms raising their tented heads far above the others. The crowd that had assembled without this enclosure were many of them unaware that there was no admission to the ground without payment of a shilling, and this did not admit them to the tented buildings. Armed, however, with an order from the Secretary of State for War, I went to the southern gate, which is far removed from the principal encampment, and here some fifty tents belonging to the London Scottish were raised, quite in military fashion. Around each was a shallow gutter cut, which became a receptacle for the rain that fell upon the canvas, inside were few articles of comfort, the ground alone being the resting-place, and the camp blanket the only covering. As I marched along I found the open ground in front protected by mounted police, scarcely a volunteer was to be seen, most of them had gone to the rendezvous which were fixed at various distances from the Common, the few alone remaining who had been fortunate enough to obtain prizes. At the north end, where the great tent for visitors and the thousands^ smaller tents belonging to volunteers were erected, was placed a table covered with purple cloth, on which were the numerous prizes won in the late contests. Some of these were magnificent specimens of art: tea-services, cups, &c., in silver; rifles, watches, and shields of all kinds and de- scriptions. The ground around was carpeted with red cloth, and shortly after three o'clock the Countess Spencer, escorted by Lord Elcho and a brilliant company, took her seat at the centre of the table. As one victor after the other made his appearance, he was heartily cheered by the spectators, and Lord Elcho had some compliment to say to each when introducing him to Lady Spencer, who gracefully presented the awards. After the prizes had been distributed, Mr. Gale, the discoverer of the mode of making gunpowder inexplosive for storing purposes by mixing a white powder with it, was presented by Lord Elcho. A bowl of this preparation was placed upon the ground, and a slow match was burnt through it, after which, a red-hot poker was drawn across it without having any effect, except the explosion of a few grains of powder singly. Mr. Gale then sifted the powder from the mass, and applying a match to it, an explosion immediately followed, distinctly showing that the combustible nature of the pow- der had in no way been destroyed by the admix- ture. On the conclusion of this interesting experi- ment, three cheers, loud and long, were given for Lady Spencer, three cheers for her noble husband, and these were followed by cheers for Lord and Lady Elcho, and the ceremony concluded with three cheers for the Queen. I certainly expected that the inventor of so useful a remedy against explosions would have come in for a burster, but T?1 no\ THEY never mentioned him." ,y ^is time the common was crowded with visitors; carriages of all kinds and descriptions filled the spaces outside the review-ground, gen- tlemen and ladies on horseback paraded about, and all was in preparation for The Grand Review. As the hour approached for the great event, staff officers galloped across the ground giving instructions to mounted police, and seeing that the preparations were complete. Five o'clock was announced on the card as the time when the review would take place, but it was long after that time before the volunteers made their appearance. At six o clock a splendid silk flag, bearing the British standard, was hoisted in front of the grand stand, and the cannon announced the approach of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge; and now one volunteer corps after another, each preceded by its band, entered the ground, the London Scottish carrying out their nationality by playing the bagpipes and drums. The Duke of Cambridge, on a splendid charger, and accompanied by a brilliant staff, galloped here, there, and everywhere, scrutinising every- thing, from the tents, the artillery guns, and am- j munition wagons, to each corps as it marched to its proper station; and then, with scru- pulous care, he watched' the formation of brigades and the preparations for the sham fight. This occupied a considerable time, and spectators were becoming impatient until the booming guns of the artillery, at the far distance, announced the fight to have commenced; then the skirmishing parties, scattered all over the common, began a vigorous fusilade. Soon, nearer and nearer came the battle, the cloud of smoke notifying a plentiful explosion of gunpowder, and, as the artillery approached, delicate ladies put their fingers to their ears to keep out the deafening sound; and now the horse artillery appeared in front of the grand stand; an aide-de-camp rode swiftly to them, and, according to orders received, away went the whole brigade full gallop to a few hundred yards distant, when they suddenly stopped, and, in less than a minute, the guns were unlimbered, and bang, bang, bang! was heard, to the evident terror of those in the vicinity. The enemy were supposed to be at a distance, however, and the artillery and the various infantry brigades followed hard after them. Of course, the volunteers were victorious, but not until they had expended much ammunition. I cannot go over the full details of the action, suffice it to say, that every corps acquitted themselves like soldiers of the line. When the fight was over, the Duke of Cam- bridge, accompanied by his staff, took his position underneath the British standard, Captain St. John Mildmay, as secretary, acted the part of master of the ceremonies, and, before the Dlfke's arrival, placed in the front rank of visitors Lady Spencer, Lady Elcho, and several other ladies of title, with Lord Bury, General M'Donald, and the great deer- stalker and rifle-shooter, Captain Ross, dressed in Highland character, whilst near to them were the two Indian princes in native costume, and close be- hind was the Queen of the Sandwich Islands, with a cloak of cloth of gold from head to foot, having with her an adopted child, with scarlet turban covered with brilliants. The Duke of Cambridge, with that peculiarity of recognition which all the Royal family possess, seeing Lady Elcho, General M'Donald, and Captain Ross, at once remembered them, and, with John Bull character, shook hands with them and said, All safe, all safe, ladies no accidents. A noble lot of fellows." The duke now turned towards the marching corps, who passed one after another before him. General iy speaking, the march-past eli- cited a meed of praise from his Royal Highness, and as they went by the saluting flag he would use expressions of this kind—"Very well, very well;" "very good," &c. Amongst those who received the applause both of his Royal Highness and the public, were the London Scottish, the London Irish, the Rifle Brigade, the Queen's, the North Middlesex, the Civil Service, the South Middlesex, and one or two of the Tower Hamlets corps. The weather was beautifully fine, and altogether the meeting passed off very pleasantly, and reflected the highest honour upon our noble volunteers.

( THE NEWS BUDGET. Breaking a Man's Thumb.—Luke Thacker, a labourer, residing at Smethwick, was charged, at the Birmingham Petty Sessions, with assaulting Michael Golding, and breaking his thumb, on the 15th instant, at Harborne. It appeared from the evidence that the men are fellow-labourers on the new line of railway now in course of construction. There was quarrelling on both sides, and the complainant provoked the assault. Under these circumstances, the defendant was liberated upon the payment of the costs. Singular # Place for a Robin's Nest.-For three successive seasons a robin has built its nest in a watering-can suspended from an interior wall of a tool-house standing in the garden of of Mr. Thomas Constable, of the Manor-house, Otley. The progeny, four in number this year, are just fledged, but still remain inmates of the building; neither they nor the old birds manifesting any apparent fear of the pre- sence of the gardener, with whom the whole family are great favourites. Plague of Caterpillars.—A most unusual inci- dent was witnessed, says the Lindtsay Gazette, on a grass plot belonging to Mr. James Hughey, Fenelon. An extraordinary colony of caterpillars, numbering millions upon millions, were seen moving along in a western direction, consuming thistles, grass, and every kind of vegetation they met with on their on- ward march. So completely did they demolish thistles, that nothing remained of those attacked save the roots and thorns. Charge of Personating a Voter.—The other day Mr. James Wood was charged before Mr. Preston, at the Liverpool Police-court, with personating a deceased voter at the election for South Lancashire. Mr. Weir Anderson, election agent for the Conserva- tive party, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Cobb for the defence. The prisoner had presented a card at the Liverpool polling booth, signed with the name of John Bradshaw Brumfitt," though when challenged as to whether he was Brumfitt he said No." Mr. Weir Anderson pressed for the penalty—imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years, but the magis- trate remanded the case, on bail being produced, for further inquiry. A Marriage Agreement.—A couple who found married life not what they expected, have applied for a divorce, but as they had only quarrelled with each other, it was refused. Before marriage they had made the following agreement:—" Money to be handed over by husband monthly household matters to be left to wife; wife to market; husband to be satisfied with domestic arrangements when conducted with economy and camfort; no complaints or improper language on either side in presence of any children that may be born; love and kindness to be observed; no quarrels; and, above all, punctuality at meals." This precau- tion intimated a spirit that could not well help but lead to the rock it was intended to avoid. Serious Oecurrence at Wimbledon, The close of the shooting at Wimbledon on Friday last was signalised by a display of fireworks, which unfortu- nately proved the cause of a serious accident to Miss Gifford, a young lady of eighteen, now on a visit to Mr. Howland, of Gay ton-lodge, Wimbledon, who was sitting among a group of ladies in front of Lord Elcho's cottage. While thus witnessing the spectacle, one of the mortars used to discharge maroons burst, and a splinter of sheet-iron struck Miss Gifford in the neck, inflicting a very severe wound. She was immediately taken to Captain Mildmay's tent, where she was attended by Surgeon-Major Wyatt, of the Coldstream Guards, who is the camp surgeon. The wound was too severe to admit of the young lady being removed. She therefore remained in the tent aU night, and on Saturday morning was taken to Gayton, where, it is hoped, she will progress favourably. Alarming Accident to a Lady.—An accident which has resulted in very distressing consequences has just occurred in the vicinity of Windsor. It appears that Capt. Brand and Mrs. Brand (the daughter of his Excellency M. Van de Weyer, the Belgian minister) were driving in the neighbourhood of the town when the horse ran away, and while the Captain was trying to restrain the animal the reins broke, and all control over it was lost. The Captain attempted to quit the, carriage, but in doing so slipped and fell, receiving some injury. The shock to the system which Mrs. Brand received through the accident, although she was not thrown out of the vehicle, has brought on premature confinement, and left the lady in so critical a state as to cause much alarm to her friends. Mrs. Brand was, it is said, to have left her residence in the cloisters of Windsor Castle shortly, on a two months' visit to M. and Madame Van de Weyer, at New Lodge, near Windsor Forest, the seat of the Belgian minister. Departure of the Queen of the Wether- lands.—Her Majesty the Queen of the Neuherlands, accompanied by Count de Randwyk, the Countess Pabist, and a numerous suite, arrived at Wool- wich, on Saturday afternoon, at five o'clock, in six carriages, and immediately embarked at the Royal Arsenal pier on board the Netherlands paddle steam sloop Cycloop, for Rotterdam, which had been under steam about one hour awaiting the arrival of the Royal party. The arrangements for the embarkation were well carried out, and the Cycloop steamed down the river for the Nore at half-past five o'clock. The I vessel has been under repair at the dockyard, having sustained damages by a collision duriag the time she was moored in the river. Assault with a Gun.—On Friday an action for assault was brought by M. Dugniol against M. Hug- two French glass-blowers employed at Chance's Glass Works, West Bromwich-at the Oxford Assizes, the object being to recover damages for a shot wound re- ceived. The plaintiff, the defendant, and others were in a yard in December last where snow-balls were being thrown about, and the defendant took up a gun and threatened to discharge it at any one who threw at him. The plaintiff threw a ball at him, and the defendant fired, blinding one of the plaintiff's eyes permanently, and so injuring the other that he could no longer follow his occupation. The defendant alleged that the gun was fired accidentally, but the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, giving him X120 damages. Violent Storm in France and Belgium.— The Alord of Brussels gives a sad account of the ravages caused by a violent storm of thunder, hail, and rain, which has passed along the frontiers of France and Belgium. At Mons, Maubeuge, Valen. cienneg, Licjfe, Maestrieht, and Cateau, the destruc- tion of property was immense, and several lives were lost. In the country between those towns all the crops in the fields and gardens were cut to pieces by the hail, and in the small town of Rcculx more than 12,000 panes of glass were broken. At Maestrieht the hailstones were as large as pigeons' eggs, aud broke not only the windows but even the slates and tiles of the roofs. In the environs of St. Qaentin two mills were blown down, and the owner of one of them killed. At Cateau several houses and other buildings were thrown down by the combined effects of wind and flood, killing one person and wounding several others. The damage done along the line followed by the storm is enormous, but as yet cannot be calcu- lated Strangling a Wife.—The Court of Assizes of the Vosges last week tried a weaver named Aldrian, aged thirty-one, on a charge of having, on the 22nd January last, at Bussang, murdered his wife by strangling her with a cord. On the day above mentioned the prisoner went in great haste to one of his neighbours named Grosjean, and said that his wife had committed suicide by strangling herself. Grosjean accompanied him back to his residence, and saw the woman lying on the floor by the bedside, quite dead, with a thick cord wound four times round her neck, the first two rounds being drawn very tight with slip-knets, while the other two were slack. The surgeon who made the post-mortem examination having declared that the woman could not possibly have tied the cord herself and drawn it so tight, the prisoner was suspected as her murderer, and arrested. When interrogated, he confessed that he had committed the crime in a moment of irritation caused by his wife's reproaching him with neglecting his work and spending his money at the wineshop. In court he repeated the same statement, and the jury having brought in a verdict of Guilty, with extenuating circumstances," the President condemned him to hard labour for life. The Electric Light at Sea,-Som(i interesting texperiments have just been made at L'Orient, on board the Coligny, the object of which is to utilise the electric light at sea. By means of a submarine reflector, the water was illuminated to a great depth, so that it was possible to look down from the deck and see the fish, attracted by the light, swimming round the lamp as if in an aquarium. A kind of diving- bell with a large glass eye in one side, and arranged to supply air to a diver, was also let down to a depth of thirty-eight fathoms. By means of this apparatus it will be easy to inspect submarine constructions, to fish coral, &c., and recover wrecked property. Signals were likewise exchanged, by means of the electric light, between the Coligny and the semaphore of Belle Isle. These different applications of the electric light were made, in presence of a military commission, by the inventor, M. Bazin, civil engineer, of Angers, and were found to give satisfactory results.

THE FRENCH LAW OF MARRIAGE. A contract of marriage extraordinary was brought under the consideration of the Paris Court of First Instance, presided by M. Benoit Champy, three days ago. A count and countess, whose names are not given by the legal journals which report the case, refused their consent to the marriage of their daughter Helen with the man of her heart. She thereupon retired to a convent, from which she addressed to her parents those actes respectueux, which by the French code enable persons of full age to marry without the consent of father and mother, which is prima facie necessary. Thereupon the parents institued a suit to stop the marriage on the ground that their daughter was insane, and the principal evidence produced in support of the allegation was that she had signed a contract of marriage in the following form — Our Marriage Contract. Art. I.-Loving each other, and knowing each other well enough to be certain that one cannot be happy without the other, we join ourselves together to live for ever hereafter as good married people. She will be I and I shall be she, he will be I and I shall be he. Art. 2.-Chartes-I promise Helen to devote all my mind, all my strength, and my whole being to the pur- pose of maintaining her, and the children that she may give me, honestly and decently. Art. 3.-Helen-I promise Charles to second him in keeping our household from want and difficulty; with that view I shall make economical habits a duty. Art. 4.-Charles-I admit that I am sometimes hasty and violent; I hope to be excused for any sudden burst of anger. Helen-It will perhaps be hard to endure, but the condition is acceded to. Art. 5.-Helen-I must also be pardoned something. My temper is a little uneven, and I am greatly dis- posed to be jealous. Charles-I will not mind caprices, if they are not too frequent. As to the other fault, I am disposed to rejoice at it rather than otherwise, for a jealous per- son is not likely to give cause for jealousy. Art. 6.—Charles and Helen—We are persuaded that between lovers disputes and coolnesses almost always arise from petty causes. On this account, we mu- tually promise never to follow our own desires in things of small importance, but always to give way to each other. Helen-In important matters it will be right that Charles should decide, for he has more knowledge and judgment than I. Charles-Helen is too modest. I shall never decide anything without consulting her, and either con- verting her to my views or adopting hers if I think them best. Art. 7.—As a consequence of the last preceding article each of us shall always be dressed according to the taste of the other. Art. 8.—The words "I will," "Iexpect,' X re- quire," and other similar expressions, are absolutely erased from our dictionary. Art. 9.-Charles-will honour his wife, that she may be honoured by others. He will always exhibit towards her esteem and confidence, and will oe espe- oially careful never in her presence to allow any advantage over her to any other woman upon any point whatsoever. Art. 10. We shall ever bear in mind that want of cleanliness and attention to personal appearance must necessarily produce repugnance and disgust. Neat- ness is to the body what amiability is to the soul. It is that which pleases. ^,?iaj10rity of women nurse their own children. I hope Charles will approve of my per- forming my duties as a mother Charles-1 approve; subject'to the doctor's advice. Art. 1A. C/MM les — Helen will take great care not to spoil our children's intellects in their early years. She must not talk, or suffer others to talk to them any of that nonsense which gives false ideas and dangerous impressions throughout life. Helen-I will pay great attention to this Poiiit. Art. 13. — Although our mutual tenderness is a guarantee that we shall never faii in the engagements hereinbefore set forth, each of uk, will keep a copy of these presents, in case of the breach of any article shall be entitled to lay it before the other party to remind him or her of the covenants entered into. Art. li.-Inasmucli P-s neither will have anything that does not belong to the other, there is no occasion to take any account of the contribution of ea,ch to the common stock. Affection and courage, our only for- tune, cannot be counted, and each of us will endeavour tn brine as much as possible. I' Done in duplicate at Paris, in the year of grace 1864. With all my heart, CHARLES D With all my heart and for all my life, HELEN, future wife of Charles D ( The court held that this eeeentrie contract afforded no evidence of insanity, for which imputation, there was moreover no pretence. Judgment was aecocd- ingly given against the parents, and the Mayor is ordered to proceed at once to perform the marriage ceremony.

J:l1tÖnn Rnb CoriRtrjj fiCoaey tilfU.r'K'.et. CITY, JULY 26.—The stock markets to-day are very (friigtv the principal business consisting of preparations for., the naif-monthly settlement in shares and foreign stocks. gs-ad for Friday. The funds are unchanged in price. The dis- count market is unsettled, owing to the uncertainty wknsix prevails as to whether the Bank of England will rjist, "ie rate of discount at the weekly (;ourt to-morrow. }\i"e;¡, while, few bills, however good, are taken b{(! '11 per cent., or t above the present Bank xmnuttraa* Consols are now quoted 89J to 90, both for money ani tan 8tn August. The official business report is as follow*— Three per Cent. Consols for money, 90, 891; ditto for account, 90; Three per Cents. Reduced, 89f. Now per Cents., 8^1, f: dittoTwo-and-a-Half per Cents., 711; fli- chequer Bills. 4s. prem.; Bank of England Stock, 248, ZH The railway market to-day is inactive, preparation far Friday's settlement forming the chief business. IKJKIJOB and North Western stock is now quoted 1221 to !.KiK-at Western 651 to 66; Midland, 132 to Lancashire said Yorkshire, 120f to 12H; South Eastern, 83.1 to Sli; Metropolitan, 13St to î; Great Northern, 130 t D, lili: j ditto A, 142* to 143; London and South Western, to OO.

HOPS, BOEOUGH, JULY 26.—Messrs. Pattenden anc' Smisfc. report no alteration in the market since last week. fflW reports from the plantations continue favourable iOr a gijod average crop. EGGS, JULY 2i.—Supply of Eggs not much in excess of demand: prices for Scotch aad Irish are 6s 2d to Cs t r French, small, 4s 9d to 4s lOd; large, 6 lOd to 7s; :fiJ:k. 5s 6d to 6s Spanish 4s 9d to 5s 3d and O itend; 6s fe. o. ■ per 120. COTTON, LIVERPOOL, JULY 26. The market OAWAFC Sales about 5,000 bales. HAY, SMITHFIELD, JULY 25.—Mr, Charles James BSSIMN. reports trade at the following prices :—Prime old ci?rc, from 125s to 135s inferior ditto 100s to 120a; new 110s to 120s; old hay, 110s to 120e: new ditto, 9&" -,o, 1; I), straw, 2Ss to 32s. TALLOW, JULY 26.-The market is steady at the fGllowkstg: prices:-Town tallow, 41s 6d; Petersburg Y.C., on the ESJGIj, 41s 6d; October to December, 42s 6d; December, 4 £ s lii to 43s; Jan. to March, 4os to 43s 3d; March. 4Ss M to 43s 9d FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, COYENT GARDES.—Vege- tables of excellent quality are now abundant, and of f there is a large supply. French beans are plentiful. Straw- berries and cherries are scarcer, but on the other haacv apples and plums are beginning to come in in abundacoa Grapes find pine-apples are sufficient for the demand. b tew Kent filberts have made their appearance, but they areas yet somewhat unripe. Good kidney potatoes fetch from Is 6d to 2s 6d per flozen pounds. Flowers ehiefly consist <* £ orchids, heaths, pelargoniums, carnations and picotee&f mignonette, and roses. Pine-apples, -per lb" 3s tc 5b; Grapes, per lb., 3s to 6s; Peaches, per doz., 6a to IDs; Nectarines, dø., 4s to 12s: Apricots (French), do., Is Gel to 3s; Figs, do,, 4s to 8s; Strawberries, per lb., Is to Is Apples, per sieve, Is Od to 2s Oranges, per 100,14s to 23s.r Lemons, per 100 8s to 14s; Nuts, cob, per 1001b,, 50s to iX; Brazil, per bushel, 13s Almonds, do., 18s to 20s; Cabb per doz., Is 6d to 2s 6d; French Beans, per half sieve, Setc 3s; Peas, per sieve, 2s to 4s; Potatoes, York Regents pf- ton, 100s to 114s; Rocks, do., 60s to 85s; new, round, 8e to 12s per cwt. do., Kidneys, 8s to 12s perewt.; Carrots aer bunch, 6d to 8d Carrots, new, per bunch, Is Turnips' par bunch, 4d to 6d Cucumbers, each, 6d to Is Beet, per doa. Is 6d to 2s; Shallots, per lb., 8d: Garlic, per lb., Sc:, Lettuces, per doz lci Od; Endive, per score, Is to 2s (id-, Artichokes, per doz., Is 6d to 3s; Horseradish, per bundle¡. Is to 4s; Mushrooms, per pott., Is to Is 6d; Parsley, r-«r doz. bunches, 2s to 4s.; Herbs, per bunch, 6d.

Castle Market. METROPOLITAN, JULY 21.-There are few more Be&sra than on Monday ll1st, till ckoice qualities are scarce, and command full prices. The supply of sheep is small for the time of year, and the demand good. Choice qualities are readily disposed of at rather higher rates. Trade is, how- ever slow for other kinds. Calves are plentiful, and prices rather lower. From Germany and Holland there are 1,97-:1 beasts, 7,870 sheep, 390ealves, and80pigs. Spain, 50beaet.Br Scotland, 285; Ireland, 154; Norfolk and Suffolk, 360; and 2,120 from the north and midland counties. Per stone of SIbs. s. d. s. d. Best Scots, Hfd3. 5 2 5 6 Best Short-horap 5 0 5 4 2nd. qual. beasts 3 0 4 0 Calves 3 8 5 0 Pigs 3 0 4 8 BestDns&bdsa. 0 0 0 0 Per stone of Slbs. B. d. e. "■& Best long-wools 0 0 Ci a Do. do. shorn 5 8 f "? Ewes & 2d. qual. 0 0 C 8 Do. do. shorn. 4 4 5 S Lambp Beasts at market, 5,630; Sheep and Lambs, 407; Pigs, 100.

The Produce Market. MINCING-LANE, JULY 24. SHgar extensively purchased and prices strong, although several arrivals, and an increase in stock over this time of last year. Havannah ofbrowE quality brought 30s to 32s; yellow, 32s 6d to 37s; florettg, 38s to 40s white, 40s 6d to 42s; Porto Rioo, as to quality, 30s to 39s; Cuba Muscovadoe, 29s to 34s; Brazil-, white grey, 32s 6d to 37s brown and yellow, 28s to 31s 6d; Madr&Sj, grocery, 34s to 42s; native, 26s to 29s; and jaggery, 258 ta 27s per cwt. Demand also on the increase for refined sugar, and eommon grocery lumps not easily to be bought under 43s. A fair trade in Molasses and Treacle at the rates quoted on Friday last. Coffee continues to be much in request, and exporters again, the leading buyers prices are expected to remain higc native Ceylon of good to fine ordinary quality to-a,y brought 68s to 73s; fine ordinary to middling Plantation. 79s to 86s; better sorts, 87s to 106s; Jamaica aa to quality. 6Ss to 102s; and clear garbled Mocha, 90s to lOSs.-A more ready sale for Cocoa: red Trinidad realises 66s to 112s: gray, 60s to 65s; and Grenada, as to quality, at .4 to 70s. Tea cautiously purchased, and easily "to be obtained at previous reduced rates, notwithstanding the large consumption in this country and on the contine-nrl.- Stock of Rice still reducing, and purchases were readily made: common to fine white Bengal brings 12s to 16s; soft grain, 8s 6d to lis, and Patna, 14S to 22S.-Severat transac- tions in Spices, and merchants less inclined to sell: Nut- megs to-day brought Is to 3s 8d; ditto limed, 9d 7° VS Q?I 7d Penang Cloves, Is id to is 3d Zanzabar °id to 3|d; Penang Pepper, 3d; Singapore; i Malabar, 4d to 4|d; Bengal Ginger, 26s 6d to 27s, and African, 38s to 39s.—A dull trade for Dried Fruit: Turkey pulled Fiiss offering at 36s to 60s; Valencia Raisins, fa r^i T, to selected, 37s to 39s; and Currants, 19s te -Prevision trade remains active: Cork Butter, as to quality, brings 96s to 114s; fine Friezland, 118s to I20s; beer and Em den, 94s to 98s; Irish Bacon, 69 s to 75s; German, 65s to 70s; and American, 52s to 58s —Sellers of tine Calcutta Saltpetre at 24s 6d; and British refined, 28s 6d; still few buyers. Cotton of all sorts improving in value: Madras and Surat selling at 9d,to Is 4d ° Bengal, Rangoon, and Scinde. 7d to 9Jd; West India, Is Id to 2s 8d; and China, 10d to Is ld.-Silk meets with little notice more desire to sell Japan: at 17s to 36s and China, 20s to 33s.—The Hemp trade active: clean Russian at £ 26 to £ 30; and roping Manilla, zC28 to &32.-The value f Spelter is X22 to iC22 5s.Scotch Pig Iron. 54s 6d.—Straits Tin, 91s cash, and to arrive, 93s.

A Boy's Hand Cut Off.-A sad accident has just happened to a youth named Isaac Sutcliffe son of Abraham Sutcliffe, manager of the Aire and Calder brickyards, at Goole. The boy was putting some sand into the machine. Seeing a hard lump pass iis, he reached his hand to pull it out, and the mrr-chine oeing in motion, drew his hand forward, when one of the knives cut off the right hand. Surgical aid was soon obtained, and the wound dressed. The poor iittk fellow is only about ten years of age. Anecdote of General Sherraan.-When Gene- ral Sherman was in command at Benton Barracks. St, Louis, he was in the ha.bit of visiting every part of 4- them, and making himself familiar with everything that was going on. He wore an old brown coat and a stove-pipe hat; and was not generally recognised by the minor officials or the soldiers. One day, ^vhila walking through the grounds, be met with a soldier | who was unmercifully beating a mule. Stop pound- I ing that mule," said the general. "Get eout," said the soldier, in blissful ignorance of the person to IN-how. she was speaking. "I tell you to stop," reiterated the general. "Ton mind your business and I'll mind mine," replied the soldier, continuing his Sank movement upon the mule. I tell you again to stop}" said the general. "Do you know who I am? I am General Sherman." "'That's played out," said the soldier; "every man who comes along hera with an. old brown coat I à. stove-pipe La- claims to 0." Geteral Sherman