The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

I." PAUL RATCLIFFE'S ADVENTURES. A STORY OF WILD LIFE. CHAPTER II OUR three Oregon friends were the first to congratu- late us upon our safety. They had seen the Indians at a distance, had heard their war-whoop, and had put us down for lost. Had we once got in the hands of this tribe they would have murdered us by grees, and have carried our scalps as trophies of their victory. „ victory. We were altogether a party of twelve, arid as jolly a lot aa perhaps ever met together. Six went to the right of the camp we had erected, and four to the left, in pursuit of game, whilst two remained in the tent to I keep the fires in, protect our stores, and prepare food for us on our return, for we had determined to wait upon ourselves, and had therefore taken no bothering servants with us. t In taking the journey, I mentioned, in the last chapter, Paul Ratcliffe and myself, with the three Oregon friends, and a young man named Burchell, composed the six who proceeded to the right of the tent. As the reader knows, we had nearly lost our lives through our imprudence, in not taking advice from those friends who knew the prairies better than we did. The party of four who took the ground to the left of the tent were more fortunate than we were. They had proceeded cautiously, and had brought down a fine buffalo before they had been out half-a-dozen hours, and in a very short time they had his skin off, with which they had returned to the tent, bringing also with them some of the choicest parts of the flesh, which our friends in camp immediately com- menced cooking. It was a cold dreary day, and as evenins came on the rain poured down in tor- rents, so that before our party- reached the rendez- vous we were literally wet to the skin. The bright fire inside, and the savoury smell of cooking as we en- tered the tent, were things that only persons in our position can thoroughly appreciate. To make a long story short, after a slight attendance to our horses we soon replenished the inner man, and over our grog and pipes each party gave a history of the day's exploits, until weary sleep closed our eyes for the night. The next morning we found it still raining in tor- rents. Our tent was, however, thoroughly waterproof as well as the enclosure that covered our horses, and as we had plenty of food for ourselves and provender for our steeds, we did not consider that a day's rest would do us any harm. How should we kill time, how- ever, was suggested, when to our infinite delight Paul Ratcliffe said he would endeavour to amuse us with his exploits in foreign countries. And first," he said, I will give you something about ADVENTURES IN THE BUSH. Two years ago I was travelling with rather a large party in Denmark and Sweden, and from thence to Holland, where I came upon a tract of country called Oeland. Amongst others I had with me a Hottentot servant named Job. I remarked to him one day that he did not seem to be like others of his countrymen. He had not such savage-looking cheekbones-he had a better nose-he had smaller lips-his forehead was higher—and his speech was softer. He told me that he supposed there was a reason for all theae^peculiari- ties, and upon my promising that I would not reveal his secret to his companions, he entrusted me with it. His mother was the child of a French officer by a Hottentot woman who had lived in Grahametown so that he had a fair sprinkling of French blood in his veins. "But," he added, with a perfect French twist of the body and shrug of the shoulders, I don't think my father ever knew that his wife had European blood in her veins. Ha knew she was different from other Hottentot women; but he thought it was because she had lived so long with the Boers." I asked Jot if he supposed his father would have cared for the circumstance of his wife's birth, if he j had known it.. „ TT "Bah. waa the quick reply. Your Hottentot who lives with the Boers has a. disgust of getting S white blood into his veins. And the more brutish you ? find him, the stronger will you find this antipathy." "But." said I, "I have found a number of cases where I thought the Caucasian and Hottentot blood had been mixed." Certainly," replied Jot. It is so, very often but your half-breed doean't venture back into the Hotten- tot country. Ho would Barely be killed if he was caught by those who recognised the dilution of his blood. I don't think you will find a case in the colony where a child has been born of a Hottentot father and white mother; but the cases are quite numerous where the parentage has been reversed." j Jot's language I cannot possibly give. His words were mostly English when conversing with me; but his idiom was half Dutch, while the other half seemed made up of English, French, and Hottentot. It was comical to hear him when he was zealous and tried to talk fast. We had been for several days traversing the edge of a broad desert, and had found plenty of game. One afternoon, while descending a hill, I discovered a soli- iary eland standing by a clump of thorn-bushes. He was the largest of the antelope tribe I had ever seen- l&rger than any ox-and was well laden with fat. "Hi! cried Jot, who was walking by the side of his oxen, if you get that fellow, you will find some of the sweetest meat you ever eat." The eland, when he saw us, pricked up his sharp ears, and started off at a swift trot. I unslung my rifle, and urged my horse to a gallop. Two friends I had with me joined in the chase, but their horses could not quite keep pace with mine. Presently the eland I broke into a run, and threatened to distance us but I was sure of him if he did not give me the slip by gaining some impenetrable cover, for his slender legs were not lasting enough to hold out against the animal I rode. Over fallen trees and through thick bushes the old bull made his way, and finally he disappeared beyond a wooded ridge. I soon came in sight of him again, however, as he dashed down a gentle declivity. He was at the bottom and I was at the top. would he keep on up the slope beyond or would he turn and flee through the vale ? If he did the latter I could cut [I him off- He started Tip the rise, and I could see very plainly that his lega were failing1 him. "Now, old xeiiowr!" j to my horse, as I tightened the rein with my left hand, while I balanced my rifle in the right, up and at him! My noble beast seemed to understand my words, for he straightened his neck, and dashed down into the vale, and up the slope beyond. Nearer and nearer we came, and when within fifty yards, I dropped the rein, and raised the rifle to my shoulder. In a fQW- moments We were by the eland's side, and I Bent a ball through his ribs. My horse curved about of hia own accord but there was no need of another shot, for the game Was down. I dismounted and hurried up, and was surprised to find how hard the poor eland had laboured. His neck and shoulders were covered with sweat and foam; his tongue hung out from hia mouth, and great tears were coursing down from his full, soft eyes. The Expression upon hia mild, ovine faoe was peculiarly touching, and as his dying gaze rested upon me, I fancied that there was something almost human in the | prayerful look. But his hours were numbered, and JUst as he breathed his last my two friends rode up. t The eland I had slain was one of the largest of his kind. The length of his body, from hia f°se to the base 0f his tail, was eleven feet; his Might waa six foet; and he could not have weighed than ten or eleven hundred pounds. His colour, like, all that I have seen of that variety, was a greyish bellow upon the back and sides, fading to a dusky cream. colour upon the belly, while the more promi- ?e«t parts, like the mane and the tail, and the face, a brownish hue. His horns were three feet long. J-hey inclined gently back from tke head; were very at the base, with two spiral turns, or twists, a lrd of the way up, and thence tapering off slender sharp. I think I never tasted sweeter meat. It equal to the best stall-fed beef; and my friend Gilroy declared, upon hia honour, that he would e^er be crosa if he could always have such feed. j. That night we encamped in a pleasant valley, close a spring of very good water. While supper waa s prepared, old Bolus came in from a reccnnois- ^^ce, and beckoned for me to follow Men. When we ou^ °'' hearing of the others, he informed me Wv* founel some iracks in the sand not far off, did not please him. He said they were the ■*°i £ 8 of Bushmen. nicked him how he knew. j §, .There's nothing else on two legs that can make j a track," he answered. "It is made by & small, j fyjn^Ped foot, all skin and bones. Oh, I know just as | tkj i8,8 though I had seen the,fellows themselves. And j j.wacks are fresh, too." j aft then Jot joined us. He had been to the spring .«»|4?ra^er» aQd had also discovered the tracks. | fc ■mas^sr>'J he cried, in his clear snapping ';P)::EW, I a-re ikki not far away." "What are they ? I asked him, desiring to see how his judgment would square with the old guide's. They are marks of the Bushmen," he replied. How do you know ? U Why—I've seen them." Wbat -the Bushmen ? No, the tracks. Goodness gracious d'ye suppose I could mistake the track of a Bushman for anything else! It's made by a foot like a bunch of sticks. Ah, my master, I am not mistaken." "Very well," said I. "We admit that they are Bushmen. What next?" That depends upon how many there are of them," answered Bolus. If they are strong enough, they'll try to rob us." „ „ I think you'never met a pack of these rascals, said Jot. I told him I never had. "Then let me tell you just what you've got to find if you ever"do meet them. You've met a pack of wolves?" Yes." Then you've got an idea of the Bushman. He sa human wolf. He's a creeping coward, and a blood- thirsty-thief and if there's a pack of them near us, we must be on our guard." "Jot is right," added Bolus. "These Bushmen know no more love than do the beasts we slay and if they get their eyes upon our wagons, they'll take our property if they can get it." And yet I noticed that neither of my men seemed to be alarmed. I asked them if they did not consider that ) there was danger. "Certainly," said Jot; "but not so much as there might have been if we had not discovered these tracks. The Bushmen are cowards, and are afraid of the white man's rifle." j We went back to the camp, and told the others what we had discovered. The Mozambiques that were with us seemed a little timid, but tried not to show it. My two English friends, Harry and Andrew, were sorry if I we had got to come to mortal conflict with human beings, but they were ready for it." Human!" cried old Ben, pounding his huge fat fiats together. D'ye call them eritturs human ? By the big horn spoon I saw one of 'em at Port Elizabeth, and I should call it a cross between a the big horn spoon! I saw one of 'em at Port Elizabeth, and I should call it a cross between a baboon and a black bear. Don't talk that kind of I stuff to me." Good! cried Jot, clapping his hands. Master Ben knows. The more we kill of such kind of animals I the better." After supper we all went down to the place where the tracks had been found; and it was decided that a party of Bushmen had been that way. There were I tracks in the sand, and tracks upon the grass; but how many we could not determine. It might be that they had pushed off, and that we should have no trouble from them. There was a moon that night, riding midway in the heavens at sunset. At ten o'clock I turned in, leaving Barry Rusk, with Sunam and Tambet, the Mozam- biques, on the watch. An hour afterwards I was aroused by a peculiar sound above my head; and as soon as I had chance for thought, I concluded that an arrow had sped through the canvas covering of the wagon. I leaped to my feet just as Sunam came to call me, and whea I reached the ground I found Jot and old Bolus already armed. In a few moments more Andrew was with us, and while Harry was tell- ing me what had transpired, I sent my boy Dan to rouse up Ben Gilroy, who was encamped in the distance. The rascals are in that clump of bushes," said Harry, pointing to a dark line of shrubbery some fifty or sixty yards away. They have made no noise yet, but I am sure I saw one or two of them moving. Thsy have fired two arrows, and I think one of our oxen is struck." Yes," said I; and one of the arro ws came through the top of my wagon." "They only meant to try if we were awake," sug- gested Jot. We had thus far held our confab beneath the shade of the wagons, and I doubted if the enemy had dis- covered that we were aroused. Only Harry, Jot, and myself. had been out into the moonlight; and even we had madeno demonstration of alarm. Xf-ter some further conference it was decided that we would remain just as we were until something more transpired, Bath Jot and Bolus were confident that the Bushmen were in the adjacent thicket, and that they were watching for an opportunity to pounce upon us. Ra! Another arrow came tearing through the cover of our wagon. "They'll come upon us pretty soon," said Jofc. Xf we don't move they'll think we're all asleep." If they were coming, we were ready for them. I had a pair of heavy pistols, a double-barrelled rifle, and a single-barrelled rifle, and a shot-gun and the others of our party had arms enough. Old Ben had joined 1fJ, 'Dan having led him carefully out in the shadow, bad he had his two rifles, and a heavy double-barrelled ducking-gun, which he had charged with buck-shot. It will be understood that these precautionary arrange- ments touching our fire-arms had been made before dark. A note of warning from Bolus brought us upon our knees; and by looking under the wagons we could see the line of bushes. Half-a-dozen dark objects were moving out from the cover, and very soon the number was increased to a score—ay, to more than that. As they came out into the moonlight I could see them plainly-I counted thirty of them creeping along slowly and stealthily, with gleaming weapons in their hands. Until this moment I had had some slight feeling of hesitation about firing on the strangers; but I enter- tained such feelings no longer. I saw too plainly their murderous intent. I could see their knives, and I could see that they were clutched ready for use. "Shall we shoot them from behind this caver? asked Andrew. Certainly," replied Bolus. We don't want any of their poisoned arrows flying at us." All were looking to me for the word, and I did not withhold it one moment after I thought it was time to give it; We were upon our knees, and could easily take aim beneath the wagons. At the word of com- mand eleven throats of iron sent forth their burdens of fire and lead, and in another instant half-a-dozen more shots followed; for some fired their second bar- rels immediately. A yell, like the howl of frightened wolves, answered to the -cracking of our rifles, and when the smoke had cleared away not alive Bushman was to be seen. Jot and Bolus had started out, and fired two more shots at the retreating foe; and if their desire could have been gratified we would have given chase. But I thought differently. I did not appre- hend that the rascals would attack us again, and I had no desire for mere vengeance. We kept a watch through the rest of the night, but we had no more trouble. In the morning we found nine dead Bushmen upon the ground, and from the tracts of blood through the shrubbery we knew that several more had been wounded. Of all the specimens of humanity that I ever saw, the Bosjesmans, or Bushmen, are the lowest. They the Bosjesmans, or Bushmen, are the lowest. They J are smaller of frame than the Hottentots, and more spare. They speak a coarse, grunting language, which no other tribe can understand; and their life of constant warfare and pillage gives them a low, crafty, cunning look, which, added to their filthy habits, renders them more repulsive than any animal of the brute creation. They have no fixed habitation, but roam about in families, seeking no shelter but such as is afforded by the trees and bushes, and sub- sisting upon plunder. If they find no plunder they eat raw flesh;. and, if that fails them, they eat snakes, and mice, and vermin. Their garments are just such as they can procure. They will go naked rather than labour for clothing; but such articles of apparel a.s they can steal they will wear. Their arms are knives, elubs, and bows and arrows— these latter weapons being generally poisoned. While Gash and Bolus were preparing breakfast, the other servants dug a hole m the sand and buried the carcasses of the dead Bushmen; and before we got ready to start we found that we had a dead horse on our hands. A poisoned arrow had struck the poor animal in the shoulder, and he died in agony. During the day we kept a sharp look-out, riding as far as possible from dense thickets, but we saw nothing more of the'Bushmen. They had evidently had taste enough of our quality, and concluded not to tempt our rifles again. (To be continued)

A RAMBLERS JOTTINGS. The only argument which has yet been used to show that Parliament should meet before February was in the speech of Mr. Henley at the Oxford- shire Agricultural Society, in which he said that a petition should be presented to the Queen, ad- vising her Majesty to assemble the people's repre- sentatives to devise some means of arresting the cattle disease. But this matter has been already dealt with by the Cabinet, and orders have been issued prehibiting the importation of diseased animals into this country, and obliging all suspected cattle to undergo a kind of quarantine. It is generally believed that the Government have sufficient power without introducing any new Act of Parliament, and that it will be unnecessary for Parliament to assemble before the usual time. I should like to mention a little fact connected with the importation of foreign cattle that I have not seen alluded to. Some few years ago when cattle were first imported to this country free of duty, Sir Morton Peto, who had then in his hands the greater portion of the railway to Blackwall, conceived the idea of extending his line farther down the river, to an open space of land known as Thames Haven. Here rich alluvial pastures fringe the river on the Essex side, which the honourable baronet had purchased with the view that the poor beasts who had suffered on a long voyage could be turned out for a few hours to feed and recover themselves. I There was a good harbour for ships to unload, and the new railway was ready to convey them to town when in a fit state to travel. But after all this had been done, the importers would not take advantage of it; they gruciiged the delay and expense that was incurred by landing animals so many miles down the river, and I preferred running them to Blackwall at once, putting them on shore tired, sick, and hungry, and leaving them to suffer a further period of starvation in the dock quays before they were sent to market. No wonder that disease was often developed amen gat them; it was, in fact, the direst cruelty to animals. Now that attention has been called to the matter, it begins to be found more profitable in the end to give the imported cattle a bite at the pasture lands before they are brought to market, and already the port at Thames 'I Haven is coming into favour; the deserted pier is absolutely beginning to look lively, and the fields are being filled with foreign cattle. j We think, however, that it would be very advis- able to have some better regulations for the cattle- boats taking up their respective berths than at 1. present exist. A few days since the passengers going on board a steamer had, in order to reach their vessel, to cross a cattle-boat, ankle-deep in manure and slush. It surely must be somebody's duty to see that the diminution of one nuisance does not become the source of the most disgusting annoyance to a large section of the public. The meeting of the English and" French fleets at Cherbourg and at Portsmouth has been very freely discussed in London. Men who grumble at everything and try to make mischief, assert that there is a political object in it, that Napoleon has his own interest in view, and that England plays second fiddle in everything he proposes, having) no will of her own. That the primary object of this meeting was to show to the world at large, America more especially, the union which exists between these Western cotmtriee, the power of which Napoleon could sway according to his will and pleasure. I heard this commented upon in the various clubs, and each speaker put a different construction upon it; the majority, however, of close reasoners rejoiced in the fact of our unity, I. auguring good results; and whilst they gave Napoleon full credit for his wisdom, maintained that England would always support her indepen- dence; that this return of courtesy for courtesy received, would not alter the position of affairs if ever our interests clash. Perhaps less ] would be said upon the subject were it not for the dearth of news at the I?rese.nt i season of the year. The debating societies j have nothing else to talk about except murders and the cattle disease, and these being pretty j well exhausted they fall back upon Napoleon and his policy. I went to one of the most visited of these societies the other day, and the subject of debate was The Meeting of the Fleets of England and France; is it to en- courage a friendly union, or is it a mere sham ? To be opened by an Observer," Ientered the room, and waited for some time to hear the illustrious Observer, who at length appeared in the person of a tailor, who, whatever his faults and failings might be, had undoubted natural eloquence. Well, he warned England of the danger of a too close relationship with France, and denounced the pusillanimity of the Govern- ment, which permitted the Emperor N&poleon to dictate to us, and asserted that the meeting of the fleets was intended to discourage the Americans, so that the empire of Mexico might be secure; and that, as far as a permanent friendship being- established between the two countries, it was a positive mockery, delusion, and a snare." A barrister who was present gave the most perfect solution of the problem, and for the benefit of my readers I took notes of his speech. There is nothing at all mysterious," he said, "at the two great fleets of the Western world shaking hands. It origi- nated in the visit of the French men-of-war once or j twice to our ports, when the officers were received by one and all, from the nobleman to the peasant, with acclamation. Only last year the Mayors of Hull and Yarmouth, together with the inhabitants of those localities, invited all the French officers to festive scenes, and treated them with the j greatest hospitality; and then Viscount Boyne and the other leading noblemen entertained them at their castles and hails in the grandest John Bull' style. On the return of those officers to France, these things were reported at head- quarters, and Napoleon felt pleased and grateful; but too proud to be out-done in generosity, he planned this return visit to prove that he appre- ciated and reciprocated our friendship. This is the origin of the meeting, and although political causes are assigned to it, such as a demonstration against America, if she should prove too bullyish, or become practically an enemy to France in Mexico, or England in Canada, they are mere idle words. I don't believe a word of the specu- lation. The joint action of England and France is too mighty a matter of arrangement, particu- larly after past experience of its bad working, to be lightly planned again, especially so prospectively. It certainly has been a very pretty and imposing sight for Frenchmen, who got some cheap I glory at seeing the respect that England apparently shows in the eyes of the world to the French nation as a naval power. A few words would com- pletely alter the existing state of friendship. Why, even the most trivial interests about a distant place like Madagascar might counteract all the l recent displays of heartiness. Thus, though we cannot conclude that present friendliness prevents the possibility, we may rest assured that.it dimin- ishes the chances of future hostility. The friend- ship which the English and French now entertain for each other will, whenever any discord shall arise, cause both Powers to reflect upon the dangers of a conflict, and a peaceful arrangement might per- haps be substituted for a declaration of war. Let us then be thankful that we can shake hands with that Power which comes nearest to us in martial and naval strength, and in commercial enterprise." Thus spoke our learned orator at a de- bating society; but apropos of this, I am reminded of the jealousy that formerly ex- isted between the two countries, and am glad to compare it with the present good understanding. It is only three years ago since Lord Clarence, Paget, as one of the Lords of the Admiralty, was twitted in the House of Commons on the su- periority of the French ironclads. The Magenta was talked about as one of the noblest vessels that ever was built. His lordship determined to judge for himself, and posted off to Toulon, where the ironclad was stationed. He saw the local of- ficials; declared himself an English Lord of the Admiralty, but could scarcely get civility from them, and as to an order to go on board the Ma- genta, that was out of the question. In his dilemma he bethought him of the mighty talisman-goIa, and after paying two napoleons, act, managed to board the French ironclad. Short, however, was his triumph, for the French captain was soon made aware of the arrival of a stranger, and that stranger an Englishman. He ad- vanced coldly and fiercely, and demanded of him his right to be there. It was no use telling him he was a Milord of the English Admiralty, but, to his lordship's disgust, he was coldly and peremptorily ordered to leave the vessel. How dif- erent is the feeling now. We are shown every new invention in the French navy the same as if we be- longed to the nation, and we in turn exhibit our men-of-war, and tell them every sew contrivance that we are adopting. That such unity may per- manently exist is the desire of every patriot in both countries.

OUR "CITY" ARTiOLE. I if'" f.= =. THE half-yearly meetings of our railway companies, at which directors have to give an account of their stewardship, occasionally throw a little light upon the management of railway affairs, and the ad- ministrative capacity of those who are entrusted with it. We cannot, as a whole, our railway magnates upon the services which they render to their respective compa^ a *■ hough we believe them to be highly honour? ^n, and to be actuated by just and worthy mo ^es. By their deeds, however, men must be judged-so, at least, says the proverb; and we see no reason why we should ignore that dictum on the present occasion. We must be just as well as generous, otherwise our remarks will have little weight or influence. There is one thing that must strike even the most ordinary of reflective minds—namely, the fact that railway property, taken generally, pays the least amount of interest of any investment we have. Ca-pital invested in our old roads even paid a higher amount of interest than the capital does in the majority of our railways; and as to other investments, be they water or gas-works, 'banking, insurance, or trading associations—in short, in whatever form capital combines' to produce a pro- fitable result, they all leave railway investments far behind. Whilst the feeling of insecurity in travel-ling continues to increase in the minds of the public, and the general attention and ac- commodation is being continuously lowered, the question naturally arises, How is this P And we need not go far for an answer Bad j management. The -fact is the railway system is based upon a wrong principle. It is completely changed from what it was intended to be. Railway companies were originally supposed to be merely the proprie- tors of a line of railway made for the benefit of the public, the latter having rights over the rail- way. These companies have now become traders and carriers, and contract debts, and have dealings, in just the same way, although upon a, much larger scale, as ordinary traders and carriers do. Yet they are not subject to the same law as traders are, with regard to their borrowing powers for when railway companies are hard up," they have only to go to Parliament, which has hitherto readily granted them new powers to raise capital, though it cannot restrain them from exceeding those powers. This has been the bane of railway companies, for the facility of raising money has led many of them into injudicious expenditure upon lines which ought not to exist, or, if they ought, should have been postponed till the com- panies had realised sufficient capital to construct them without having recourse to a system of borrowing, which is sure to bring about its own ruin. The ordinary trader, however desirous he may be to enlarge his premises, or to extend Ms business, if he be a judicious man, will wait till his accumulated profits enable him to carry out his views; he will not allow himself to be "ham- pered with almost unlimited liabilities in the shape of acceptances or debentures until the very in- terest upon these securities swamps all the profit- he may derive from the whole of his undertakings. The whole question, both of the borrowing by railway companies in excess of their Parliamentary powers, by means of an over-issue of debentures, and also of the payment of contractors by Lloyd's bonds (acknowledgments of indebtedness for work done) bearing a certain rate of interest, and payable within a limited period, was inquired into by a, committee of the Lords in the sessions of 1863 and 1864. It would appear that debeiitulres are not only placed in peril, but, as there is no priority amongst securities of that class, a deben- ture which wa.s perfectly valid when issued, might, in the event of an over-issue, and if the issuing company being subsequently compelled to wind up its affairs, not having the means to satisfy all its creditors, and not being liable to be made bankrupt, turn out to be so much waste paper. Besides xvhich, the holder of a Lloyd's bond might, if his claim were not satisfied, recover judgment against a company, and seize the roiling stock, &c., which a debenture holder could not do so long as his interest was paid-his debenture being only redeemable at the end, perhaps, of two, three, or four years, at which time he might find that the holders of Lloyd's bonds had swept off everything tangible before his turn ,came. The Select Committee (Lords') reported in each session, and, among other things, recommended, as the best means of counteracting the evil, that the several railway companies should be required to make annual returns of their borrowing powers and liabilities, and that there should be a compulsory public registration of debentures. This bill passed the Lords, and was withdrawn on its being proposed for a second reading in the Commons on account of the lateness of the session, and the threatened opposition of the railway interest. An Act of this sort would obviously be the means of giving greater security to creditors, and would even strengthen. the credit of companies who wished to work fairly. These remarks are peculiarly appropriate at a tune when an inquiry has been instituted as to the financial position of one of the great companies-the Qveat Eastern Eailway. At a recent meeting of the shareholders, the chair- man of that company, after being taxed by Cap- tain Jervis, a brother director, acknowledged that they had far exceeded their borrowing powers, argued that in doing so they had benefited the shareholders for that it oftentimes happened they could borrow in a cheap market when money was plentiful, and so be provided for a period when money was very dear. He thought that credit rather than blame was due to the directors on that ground, for if they criti- cised narrowly the accounts of other railway companies, they would find that the Great Eastern was not in this respect poaching upon a manor that was untrodden by others. These remarks of the chairman have necessarily led to an inquiry into the affairs of other railway companies; for it appears to the general public, as it were for the first time, that, although a comoanv is ordered bv Act of Parli fl.TTlPTit t" go so far and no farther, yet the breach of this order is not a punishable offence. C<ss- i sequently, directors can keep shareholder?! m the dark as to their proceedings, whilst, instew7 d paying legitimate dividends, they are impov ing the company by increasing their d.eot, "i paying dividends from their borrowed capital. The aspect of affairs in the Money-mai l if) favourable, though stocks and shares eoi1 languid. The more settled aspect of the we i. » and the influx of gold to the Bank, together witfe favourable exchanges, have caused °,t- i" purchases for investments, and, if these COJ. business will be restored to a ccmpara,t_y healthy condition. Consols for money were laet quoted 89| to t, and for the account, 89 to t

JDnhùn anD €mrdro l^axMs, Money Market. CITY, Acre. 30.—In the stock markets to-day attfcc.tioa ifr chiefly directed, to the settlement of the fortnightly accomit, and little other business is going forward. The tendency, nevertheless, continues favourable. Iu the discount market to-day there is a large amount of money seeking employ- ment, while the supply of bills is limited. Transactioae continue to he effected at 3-J to t per cent. The rekte OR the Stock Exchange for loans from day to day C" v » lish Government securities is 2" to 3 per cent, ana for advances on foreign stocks to the next settlement:, » Consols are now quoted E9 to t, both for money and account (Sept. 7). The official business report is —Three per Cent. Consols, for money, 8 for account, 89J; Three per Cents. Reduced, 89" New Three per Cents., 89f, t, India Five per stoot, 105, Fiv-eand-a Half per Cent. u rupee paper, 109J; and Exchequer Bills, 3s dÙ1.- There is little business in British railway securi. les lo-a&yt apart from that connected with the fortnightly settleciev.-r." yet the tone of the market remains firm. London %n4 North Western stock is now quoted 1.27 to t; Great Western, 6S-J to 67; Midland, 1321 to Lancashire aiwi Yorkshire, 119 to J, ex div.; South Eastern, 80J to Sl-f: Metropolitan, 1331 to J, ex div.: Great Northern, 133 t, 134; clltto A, 153 to 151; London and South. "Western, 9S; to 991; Great Eastern, 46i to 471; and Caledonian, 134. fit 135. The Corn Trade. MAEX-LANE, Aca. 30.—The supply of EngJi><h whe.) on sale at Mark-lane, to-day, was moderate. G^nr 1 < speaking sales, progressed slowly, but without leaJir 5 any change in prices, as compared with TJondav. Vvsro foreign wheat the market was moderately suppbed, C.lle prices ruled firm. Floating cargoes of grain were III salt request, at full currencies. The supply of Barley wis^tu^c full quotations. Malt ruled firm at quite late rates. O", were in good supply, and steady request at Monday's PTi.C.t:5, Beans and peas changed hands at the full prices of Mow •T' The flour trade was steady on former terms. LIVERPOOL, AUGUST 29.—The market fairly attended. Wheat in moderate consumptive demand at Friday's p«es& Flour held firmly for quota.tions of last Fri-dav. Indiar. corn, 6d per quarter lower a.nd a good business done !.LLb.! decline. Mixed American, 30s to 30s Sd Galatz, 33s, Bean.; firm. Oats and oatmeal in fair request at fern pnccSr "Weather fine and warm. COTTON, LTVE:1POOI" AurmsT 30.-The market stror.? prices stili in favour of holders. Sales probably 15,000 ot £ 0,000 bales. TALLOW, AUG. 30.—The market is steady. Town tallow is quoted 45s; Petersburg X.C. on the spot,. 44s 9<i; new, December, 45s 6d; January to March, 45s 9d to -tvJs March, 46s 6d. HOPS, BOUOUSH, AUG. 30.—Messrs. Pattenden and Smiik repor a, good steady demand for the limited supply of the new hops that have arrived at market, at prices Varyina from 195s to 126s for Sussex; 110s to 135s for Weald <: Kente, and for Mid and East Kents, 130s to 190s per owe HAY, SMITHFIELD, AUG. 29.—Mr. Charles James Bastoc reports prices as follows :—Prime old clover, from 120s je 140.-5; inferior ditto, 100s to 110s; prime meadow hay, 11 Or to 12is iuferior ditta, 953 to 106s straw, 3Ss to 42s. EGGS, AUG, 28.—More Eggs arriving than required, and prices lowering: English, Scotch, and Irish selling at 5s. 96 to 6s 9d per 120; French, 4s Sd to 6s 6d; Spanish^s 6u to 4s 10d. and Ostend, 6s to 6s 6d. POJL 1RY, AUG. 28. A free sale for Poultry, and firm, although a fair supply: Geese, realises 4s 9d to' 7t each; Fowls, 2s 9d to 3s; Chickens, 103 8s to 2e Ducklings, 2, 4d to 3s; tame Babbits, Is 4d to Is 7d, pigeons, 5d to 9d; live Fowls and Ducks, 228 to 24' vet dos. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES COYEST O-ABIVEI".—« Vegetables continue abundant and good. Large importa- tions of French pears, peaches, nectarines, &c., con- tinue to arrive. English pears comprise J»rgone<'e, Bon Chretien, and Beurrd d'Amanlio. For pine-apples :1Di grapes there is still a heavy sale. Apples and plump ive abundant. Kent filberts are coming in in good coadiisV.ii. Good kidney potatoes fetch from Is to 2s per eio"eE pounds. Flowers chiefly consist of orchids, fcettos, oelait gpmuaas, carnations and picotees, mignonette, and roses Grapes, per lb., Is Sd to 3s; Peaches, par doz., 4s to 5c-* Nectarines, 23 to 6s: Apricots (French), do., 1» 6'i+a 3s; Figs, do., Is to 2s 6d; Pineapples per Jo -apples, per sieve. Is Od to 2s Oranges, per 100 'i J.a hrl'V Lemons, per 100 8s to 14s Nuts, cob, per 1001b' ? r Brazil, per bushel, 18s; Almonds, do.18s to 20^ per doz., Is 6d to 2s 6d; French Beans, per haif' lfxc .ss; Peas, per sieve, 2s to 4s; Potatoes 7^1-" „ &Pd\tto2'llfto°l^S; R0°k3' ^to?6ltoC-n 7 A-ll i > now> round, 8s fca 12r T.w c*t. ditto Kidneys, 8s to 12s per C^rroS per Dtmch. 6d to 3d: Turnips, per buncb, 4<1 U Cucumbers, each, M to 6d; Beet, per doz., Is 6d to 2s- Sha.llots, per lb., 8d; Garlic, per lb., Sa- Lettuces' per dozen, Is Od; Endive, per score, 1» to 2s Id Artichokes, per doz., Is 6d to 3s; Horseradish, oer bnnrUe; Isto^s; Mushrooms, per pott., la tols6d.: &»seW. bunches, 2s to 48. Herbs, per hunch,, C, Cattle Market. METROPOLITAN", Aue. 28.—The number of Seas,; consideraoly smaher than on Monday last, yet trade is du £ Choice qualities fuliv realise Thursday's quotations, but ferior difficult to ssil. We have a large supply of Shf. t. but choice qualities not very plentiful. There is a sir- reduction in price with a slow trade. Calf trade is du'^ lower rates. From Germany and Holland there are i::55( beasts, 15,180 Sheep, 207 Calves, and 345 Pigs. 8cjtJaD.ll.1; beasts, Ireland, 320, and 1,680 from the Northern Uid land CountIes, Per stone 01 SIbs. 5. d. S. d. Best Scots, Hfd3. 5 4 5 6 Best Short-horap 4 10 5 2 2nd. qual. beasts 2 8 3 8 Calves 3 4 5 2 Pigs 3 0 4 8 (3 4 6 6 1 Perstono of 31ba a d, D. Best liOng-woo]g 5 p ? I Do. do. ghorn o ft r, fi -Ewes & 2d, quai. 44- Do. do. shorn. 0 o ), Lambs « v g r r Beasts at market, 4,7S0; Sheep and Lambs 07 279; Pigs, 5S0. The Produce Market MINCING-LANE, AUG. 28. — Suffir- transactions, and at some advance ™. ere day, common to fine brown ManHH v. rates- -°' 31s; yellow, 31s 6d to 34s- 6-d w 29s to 36s 6d; Madras er'o(w^ + £ ,41s; Barbaaoes, 29s; Jaggery, 25s 6d to 27* £ 42s native, 26s fcc 35s; Manilla, claved I PenarlS' and Natal, 27s to 28s; Havannah, brown""™0 1JOs; ditto undayed, 26s <?d to Floretts, 37s fi.Hr, ■->?) ?3 33s>" yellow," 32s 6d to 37s 29s 6d to 32c 6d • 40s to 423! Porto Rico, brown, 32s to 37s •W yel!ow> 33s to 39s; Brazil, white and crev active fnrrofi a yellow> 27s 6d to 31s 6dper ewt. Trade arp 4.1« R1 + ?-, > ailfi the terms obtained for brown r,<r Pieces a °«tH9d; £ rocery, -2s to 45s; tittlers, 42s to 4e! p 3 ,f6d to 37s; and bastards, 28s to 30s 6d Vr» exn^ currency ranges strong, there being numerous expoic orders.—Cocoa still in great demand: red Trim^n/; bruigs 68s to 116s; and grey, 63s to 67S.-PUrchaS^ £ wma Tea are larger than for some time past, and aor-e advance in the value; duty was paid at this port durinsr ft, past week on 1,148,700 pounds.—Bice remains in gzear iu and.—1The value of new Valencia Baisins is 42s Currants, 28s to 35s.—Several transactions in Spices the currency ranges for Black Pepper at Sid to' white, 5d to Is; Pimento, 2"d to 2fd; Ceylon CiTiramcr., Is 4d to 3s; Cochin Ginger, 60s to 120s; Bensral f' 28s; and Nutmegs, lid to 3s; fine ditto, 3s 2d 'n 3 Supply of Provisons now in excess of demand • r~ Irish Butter according to quality are 102s tn in<\«-es-or Freizland, 110s to 1123; Kiel, 100s to 112s • BoVh ftp fine Dorset, 120s to 122s; Devon, 112 to llrtfvv JS to 108s; Irish Bacon, 70s to 80s Hambro' 7v>= r"?ea' 83f American, 60s to 64s.—Trade for Saltpetre a?$ fine Calcutta obtainable at 23s to 23s 6d r' stu* at 28s 6d to 29s. ncl renned

EO -— The New Style of (Bor rowal) K-r thr present moment the worshin nf Qf T « ■ A." saint of hairdressers?, must be or tu • pasfec. with the demand for fall the,for wtar rangement" necessarj' for our natural loob. :.118 fra,. ternity have just TY ITa* member the story of St T S Ie~ ♦ 0 TA -uoms being tbe first to wear fake hair ? It came about in this wise, if yon rsaem. e 103j, his hair in Palestine, and when Que^n lanca saw mm thus denuded she was sorely vexed However, she bethought herself of a remedy, "hieh was to eut off a look from the head of every r these she sewed carefully together, and thus the first wig! The effect is certaialy very \holl at this time, when one sees bonnets exhibited in the windows, with a big bunch of hair behind, as If th-re was an honest head within—which there' is In fact, now your hair is no longer an inevitable aeoea- sity, like your nose, which must be worn, ^nether it pleases you or not. Tbe colour and length of r'^ v „ jr conveniently changes with the fashion: tbe time iray come when science may work such wonders rhaWrc i our noses may bo retrousse or Grecian at V 7\>Tani JPrfO'r*.n/-1, [Pi'lS ^VEQT: