The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

c-- IMPERIAL PAELIAIMT. .RT In the House of Lords, ETharsday, a Royal Commission, composed of the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Bessborough, and Lord Foley, sat. The Speaker and several mem- bers of the House of Commons having appeared at the bar, her Majesty's consent was read to Several Private bills. Several bills were advanced a stagey and; their lordships adjourned. In the House of Commons, Mr. Baillie; Coehrane called attention to the large meeting advertised to tefee place> on Primrose-hill to advocate Efttorm. He -wished to know whether such meetings were illegal. Sir G. Grey had not heard of such a. meeting but it was illegal to hold any meeting for poliuc^Lpurposes within o o mile of "Westminster. The reason being that memb Parliament should not be under intimidation The Chancellor of the Exchequer said.that m rnoving the adjournment of the House on the thit day, he hoped to have been able name of some person who would take his place, a J the House for the construction of a new Cabinet, but he had received a communication from Lord Berby to the effect that he desired to have to make certain propo-als to Majesty. would therefcre move the adjournmeutoi tbe House until that day week for public business, but the House would sit daily for private blMreBe'rnal Osborne thought that her Majesty's Govern- meat had exercised the most remavkaMe forbearance during the late political crisis. At the same time the country were not hv qnv dimhb satisfied with what had occurred. They Ed aw. "ttout a »a ,,„w they were asked to adjourn for another week and this at a time when.a-moaetary and commercial pamc us and war was-riugmg m our ears. Ha did not think tne Ministers were justified in abandoning their places, and abandoning the Reform Bill at the same time. Government were only beaten on a point of detail, and forty-four g-entle- men on his side of the House who voted against the Govern- ,ei we ment upon the rating v. the rental franchi., re willing to support them on every other principle of he bIll. The Liberal members were, by the condnet of their leaders, left in the lurch, and forced to take their seats on the opposite side of the House. He complained of the time which had been wasted this session, and many bills which had been advanced several stages were thrown overboard. Although he should have to change his seat as an indepen- dent member, he would say that as the last Government had forsaken their colours he was willing, to support any Government that would bring in a good and liberal measure of Reform, that, as far as fee was concerned, there would be no factions opposition to ai),y Government. Major Knox complained of the rioting which occurred consequent upon numbers of persons carrying a Reform Newdegate thought all were at liberty to express an opinion. After a few words from the Chancellor, of the Exchequer in explanation, the House adjouraed. In the House of Lords, on Friday, Earl Russell stated that. in: compliance with a. request from the Ea.rl of Derby, he should move that their lord.-hips do not proceed with any public business until Thursday next. Lord-Brougham made some few observations on the sin- gularity of the-resignation of Ministers. A long discussion took place on the second reading of the Gas Light and Coke Company (private) Bill. The House adjourned at six o'clock. The House of Commons went into committee of supply we forma. The report of the selection of members to serve on the Heteton election-committee was brought up, and The House adjourned at five minutes past four o'clock. In the House of Commons, on Monday, Mr. Dimsdale took the oaths and his seat for the borough of Hertford. The members of the Helston election committee ware sworn. m. On the motion that the House do adjourn to Thursday, Mr. Wat kin inquired whether the letter of the Govern- ment to the Bank of England was to remain unmodified, and the rate of int-erest to remain at 10 per cent. The House, under the circumstances, ought to meet to-morrow in order to obtain information on the subject. Mr. Childers said that it was understood that the House would do no public business uatil Thursday, and no answer could be given. Mr. Darby Griffith asked if the Home Secretary and the police had taken steps to preserve the public. peace in reference to a meeting which was to take place iairaiingar- square that evening. M The^House then ad'jearneA at twenty minutes past four; In, the House,of Lorcts, on Tuesday, the Lord- Chancellor took his seat on the wool-sack at haif-past ten o'clock, for ^Several"bUla were read respectively a second time, and the. following bills were read a third time and passed:—Esk Valley Railway Bill; Shrewsbury and North Wales, and Shrewsbury and Potteries Junction Bail way Companies Amalgamation Bill; Glasgow s,nd South Western Railway (Additional Powers) bill; Bideford, Appledore, and West- ward- Ho! Railway Bill (Amendment); Bradford Corporation Bill (Amendment). Their lordships were engaged during the remainder of the day in legal business. .Ðfpø.;l

DEPARTURE OF TEE GREAT EASTERN. The Great Eastern sailad on Saturday precisely at twelve o'clock—the day and hour fixed upon six months ago by Mr. Glass and Captain Andersan. If these gentlemen had been gifted with a prophetic vision tbev could not have been more fortunate in their choice. The tide was so high that it fairly touched the low marshy shore which skirts the Med- way on either eide, and the sky was as serene and the air as bright and warm with sunshine as the pro- foundest believers in good omens could have desired. Mr. Brcckman, R.N., the pilot, came on board at ten o'clock; and his fitness for the responsible duty is beet proved by thefa-ot that to him the,, Governmelit entrust the navigation of all their vessels in these waters. All the anchors save one having been hauled up (the fiddler playing the while on the capsan), the fourth anchor was detached from the chain and left to a mooring barge, assisted by a dockyard steam-tug, to pick up and convey to the- new anchorage ground of the Great Eastern. This accomplished, the great ship, propelled both by paddle and screw, proceeded slowly and majestically on her appointed way—at the very moment of her departure Mr. Pender's yacht firing a friendly salute. The picture was a pretty one as the vessel left; the Kentish Flats, with their purple-tinged background of bills; passed the hulks." which dot the-river a.t a.distance of every hundred y ards passed the jetty at Sheerneas, linsd with a multitude of spec- tators passed the receivra^ ship, and the stately Formidable, which carries the admiral's flag passed the- large unfinished fortification at Battery Point, where hundreds of spectators gathered on the bend of the shore..Lvery vessel of -war dipped its union jack, hundreds of blue jackets filled the rigging, and Bent across the water a succession of ringing cheers, the echoing responses being given in obedience to the shrill whistle of the boatswain of the Great Eastern while on the deck of the flagshil) P, band struck up the lively notes of "Cheer, boy a, cheer." Thus, to the music of inspiriting snouts and martial strains, the Great Eastern steamed out of the muddy and tortuous MedWav into the deep blue expanse beyond. Her course first lay between SheerneM mid-ground and Cheney Spit, and then leaving the Nora Light on the left, she made for her anchorage on the verge of the Oaze deep. Yachts and Burn- ers followed in her wake, affordlllg ampt, opportunity for gratifying their passenger ^for evoking fresh outbursts of British enthusiasm. ^Hav- ing arrived at her destination for the night, the_ goal was given to lower the and the bolt having been slipped, the hu^e "Trotman" planged wIth a crash into the sea. Heresbe remained until noon on Monday, when thevoyage was. pursued without anytur- ther stoppage or intermission until she reached Bere- haven oa Wednesday. It tak<s the Great Eastern a^ least a week to receive on board the 2 500 tons of coal which she requires for her voyage to Newfoundland. to The William Cory, with the shore end of the cable, has accomplished her journey to the Irish coast, so that the misbap of the Caroline, which excited some alarm last year, i-a not likely to be repeated. The Albany left on Sunday with a, large quantity of stores and apptratua; and the Medway, with the Newfoundland shore-end of the new cable and aportion of last. year's line, sailed on Tuesday. All the arrange- ments were carried out with the most business like punctuality; and if, as is anticipated, the expedition actually Eiails from Yikniti* for its ultimate destination on or about the 15th July, the promoters of this great enterprise will fully realise all their wishes as to the time of departure, The Great Eastern reached Bere- haven on the 4th of Ju!v, the anniversary of the .Declaration of IndepeadtEoe, and a day which Mr., Cyrus; Field can saarcely fail to regard us of happy augury.

MARSHAL BENEDEK'S ARMY. LaFrance of the 30th uIt. says Some telegraphic dispatohes, proceeding from an excellent source, arrived yesterday, and explain the causes of the check suffered by a corps of the Austrian army; but this check, notwithstanding the lamentable losses which accompanied it, does not appear to have in any way compromised the plan of the campaign drawn up by. Marshal Benedek. The Austrian General-in-Chief, hav- ing for his base of operations the line from Josephstadt to Theresienstadt, wished to avoid giving battle until the two Prussian armies should be completely engaged in Bohemia. At the same time he placed as an advanced guard the corps of General Gablenz (the 10th Corps), charged with the duty, of preventing, at any cost, the iunction of the two armies of Saxony and Silesia. The Prince Royal of Prussia, on the other hand, manoeuvred to obtain that important object. These facts explain the three days of obstinate fighting during which the Prussians, far superior in numbers, have sought to force the positions defended by General Gabion The latter, comprehending the importance of the mission intrusted to him, decided unhesitatingly upon an heroie sacrifice. His corps, d'armee must, at any risk, insure the plans of the Commander-in-Chief, and pre- serve to him the free control of the railway. This railway, secured to the Cbmmandef-in- Chief, has enabled the latter, during the three days' com- bat, to concentrate the oorps of his army, and to complete the preparations for a decisive battle. It has been under these conditions that General Gablenz has sustained an unequal struggle with a corps of 25,000 men already tried by the last actions, and with which he has, with a valorous self-denial, resisted all the efforts of an enemy who had at, his disposal fresh troops which he could renew almost to any extent. At the last moment the Prussians received the succour of 30,600 of the Guard, their best troops. It was before these formidable forces that the IGth Corps for a long time maintained its position, allow- ing itself to be crushed and falling at its post in order to assure in any event the execution of the orders of the Commander-in-Chief. This noble sacrifibe insures now the position of Marshal Benedek, who remains with his forces skilfully grouped, ready to carry out the plan which has long since been prepared. The confidence which the old general inspires in all his army is such, and discipline is so severely enforced, that* secrecy is religiously observed as to-all military operations; and the officers of the army of the north abstain, from all correspondence upon the subject, even with their families;"

FEMALE, HOUSEBOLDERS AND TEE SUFFRAGE. (From the Law Times.) Mr J. S. Mill has presented a petition from 1,500 ladies of Westminster praying for the admission of female householders to the suffrage, and he has given notice of a motionforthe introduction into the Reform Bill of a provision to that effeeb. The announcement has provoked a repetition of the storm of sorry jests by which shallow pates purchase an easy reputation for wib, and the philosopher will probably be put down by shouts of laughter in the House of Commons evoked by Bernal Osborne and other professional wags. It is easy to anticipate their line of argument. They will misrepresent the nature of the claim, and treat it as if it were a request that all women, wives and daughters included, may be endowed with a vote. So taken, they will win an ea&y victory in; argument as well as by jest. But that is not the proposition, nor any- thirig liho it, and Mr. Mill and they who support him jnust take good care that the debate shall not be di- verted from its proper subject, so as to afford' the desired food' for sooff and jest; Liet it be_ clearly understood that there, ia neither dessga nor desire, te assert what is oalled woman's rights," nor to in- terfere, in any mannor with the proper and established status duties, and responsibilities ef women. It is not intended to convert- our wives ani daughters into politicians, nor, to diiturb the peace of households by hoisting buff and blue on opposite sides of the same table. The claim is merely that single women who are independent householders, and have the same qualifi- cation as other electors, should be permitted to vote as such in the election ef members of Parliament. And wherefore should they not ? The burden of proof is on those who would exclude them. Having all the iugredi. ents that qualify an elector, they have a right to call upon the objectors to show caase why they should be deprived of the privilege. The only ground of objection can be that of sex. She occupies a hoixseof X7 value; she pays rates and taxes; she is, subject to all the liabilities of independent householders, except that of serving on a jury. Wherefore, having to bear its burdens, should she be deprived of its privileges P It is for the objector to make good his objection. We know precisely what the answer will be. It will repeat the arguments, some shallow but. many sound, against the enfranchisement of women generally, and then it will be triumphantly assumed that these are conclusive'answers to the claim of this class of Women in particular. And there will lurk the fallacy which those who hold a diff-arent opinion must detect and ex- pose. Those arguments are good as against wives and daughters, but they are altogether inapplicable to single women who are independent householders. Having given to the question much thought, with the help of much experience, we are unable to suggest a single sound objection to the claim of female house- holders to vote. But there are many good reasons why they should do so, apart from that foremost one that they have all the qualifications which the law requires to constitute an elector. They pay the same rates and taxes as other electors; they are not merely eligible to serve the offioe of overseer, but may be com- pelled to serve it, and in many parishes do really serve it. Bat, more than all, the law has actually enfranchised them for parochial voting. They are at this moment lawful members of vestries; they may, and do in fact, vote at all parish meetings, upon the avowed principle that, paying rate3 as individuals, it is but just that they should have a voice in the expen- diture of the rates they pay. Being, then, admitted by the law and the constitution to vote in parish elec. tions and on parish questions, as being independent householders, in the choice of guardians who are to expend the rates they pay, what substantial and rational objection can be raised to their admission to vote also for the election of those who are to expend the taxes they pay. If justice has been deemed to re- quire their enfranchisement for rating purposes, surely there is no less just a claim to their enfranchisement for taxing purposes. We heartily wish success to the endeavour of Mr. Mill.

SINGULAR GBARGE OF HORSE- STEALING. James Allen and Thomas, Dwyer, horse keepers, were charged, at the London Guildhall, on remand with stealing a horae, on the 20th ultimo, value JB10 10a., belonging to Mr. James Meacook, and also with receiving the said; horse* well knowing it to have been, stolen. Samuel Doble, metropolitan police-constable 147 X, said that on the morning of the 21st June, he went with Polioe-eonatablo Woodman to Oarlisle-mews, near ^he Edgware-road, and saw the prisoner Allen there. He told him he was going to take him into custody for being concerned with others in stealing a horse, the property of Mr. Meacook. He (Allen) said, "I had nothing to do with thestealing of it; it was brought to our mewslast night about aquarter-pastten by two men, for my master to buy. He did not come home, and they "tec waited tor about two hours, and then I and Dwyer, and two other men, took the horse to a Mr. Taylor, and sold ltror £ 3.» h3 ai30 said he did not know who the otttier two men were. Witness then took him to the station-houso ard searched him, and found on him 1s. Old. For the defence, Catherine Winkworth was oalled, who said she lived at. 4, Camliale-mews, and her hus- band was a She knew both the pri* eoners. Oa the <sucn ot June she was sitting, at her door, working, xrom a tew minutes past nine till near half-past onu o clock, ana daring the whole of that time the two prisoners were taera about the stables, and never left the yard. T. Allen, the emplor of the prisoner Allen, said that in the early part-of uhe evening he and his partner were standing in their yard, when two men came up, to them, and, addressing his partner, asked him if he would bay an old horse they had to sell. He said if the horse was their own he would, and it waa agreed that the men should briLg it up In the course of the evening. He told Allou that he and his partner had, to go to Westminster, and that if a horse was brought to them to buy to say that they would ba back early, and that he was not to leave the stablea. They did, not return, however, until one o'clock in the morning. Alderman Mechi said this evidence would have to be considered by a jury,, aad committed fcha prisoner for tri&L

ACCIDENT TO TEE PRINCE OF WALES. On Monday afternoon, as H.B.H. the Prince of Wales was riding in Rotten-row, Hyde-park, he met with an accident which at the time caused considerable alarm. As the Prince was riding at the Kensington end of the row, a horse over whom his rider seemed to have lost all control dashed at a furious pace along the ride. The animal came direct upon his Royal Highness, who, seeing that a csnousaion was inevitable, disengaged his feet from the stirrup-irons, and fell clear of the horse. The concussion came with such force that the Prince's horse was dashed down, rolling over and over. The other animal did not fall, but con- tinued its onward career. His Royal Highness was not much hurt, but he must have received an awkward twist, for the beel of his boot with the- spur thereon was subsequently picked up by a groom on the spot where the accident took place. So little was the Prince discommoded by the accident that ia the evening he was present at the Royal banquet at the Trinity-house.

REFORM MEETINGS. An immense out-door Reform meeting was hold in Trafalgar-square on Monday night, under the auspices of the National Reform League. At the very lowest computation ftom 30,000 to 50,000 parasms were pre- sent. Notwithstanding the reports in circulation, no attempt-was made to interfere with the meeting. The only policemen in sight were those on ordinary duty and! they interfered in nowise with the proceed- ingsi The natural result followed. The people, left to themselves, were most orderly. They were, how- ever, none the less ia earnest, and they spoke out plainly what are their feelings in respect to Reform. Mr. Edmond Beales presided, and briefly described the position of affairs. The meeting was altogether a remarkable demonstration. It ia probably only, tha forerunner of otharSj still more numerously attended, which may be expected to be held in the same or other suitable places. The meeting being too large for hearing one speaker, was afterwards divided into four sections, and, indeed, there was material enough for a dozen. Meetings were also held the same evening at Clerkenwell-gresn and at Hoxton. There was a. great Reform demonstration in the place, Laicesteri on Monday night. 20,000 persona were present; Mr. Walker, of BirstaU-house, was called to the chair. Resolutions condemning a Tory Administration, and expressing confidence in the Russell Government, and for continuing the agitation, were unanimously carried1. At the close cheers were given for Earl Russell, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, and the borough memberf. On Thursday evening an enthusiastic meeting was held in the large room of the Castle Hotel, Hastings. Mr. Womersley moved, and Mr. Edwards seconded a resolution expressiag confidence in Lord Russell and his colleagues, and strongly condemning the renegade Liberals, which was carried amidst great cheering. A resolution appointing- district; committees to super- intend the register, waa moved by Mr. John Banks, hon. see., and also carried unanimously. _u. "W"I.

SMOTHERING. A MAN WITH PITCH. John Holland, a plater, in the service of Mr. Fault- less, harness-smith, of 47, Parker-street, Drury-lane, was charged before the magistrate at Bow-street, on Saturday, with a singular Leriesi of outrages on two smiths' labourers, named Dennis Neal, and James Finch. About eight o'clock on Friday night the prisoner. who was: in the workshop when Neal came in, and asked to see Mr. Faultless, said," If you come in here I will finish you." He then struck Neal, threw him on. the-ground, and flang a, great pitch pot at him. Being very heavy it; fell short, but the pitch poured over his face, blinding and half-suffocating him. While endeavouring to wipe his eyes, the prisoner scooped up more of the pitch with his two hands and poured it over his head, struck him several more blows, and retreated up a ladder to the loft over the workshop. Several persons came in to Neal's assistance, and one, the complainant Finch, attempted to mount the ladder. The- prisoner snatched up a heavy pitch ladle, weighing 25! b., and threw it at him. It struck him over the hip, hurting him severely and tearing his coat. A police-constable was called in, and found the prisoner standing at the top of the ladder and brandishing, a file, declaring with furious gestures that he would run it through any one who attempted to approach him. The constable, however, deprived him of the file, and took him to the station. Mr. Vaughan had! no doubt that, the prisoner had committed a very unprovoked outrage, or series of outrages. For the assault on Neal he must go to prison for 14 days; for the injury to Neal's clothes he must pay a fine of 10s.; and the amount of the dama,e, X- I 2s. 6d., or be Im- prisoned 14 days; for the assault on Finch, 10s., or seven days; and for the injury to Finch's coat, 53. fine and 5s. damage, or seven days. All the senfcencas to be consecutive, and all with hard labour.

MR. PEABODY IN AMERICA, The special correspondent of the Herald, writing from New York, says:— Mr. George Peabody has thus far declined all in- vitations to public dinners and receptions. A few days since some of the leading men of Boston solicited Mr. Peabody's attendance on the occasion of a dinner to be given in that city. The distinguished financier and philanthropist, after mentioning pre-oecopafcion as a reason for declining the invitation, added: "'Proud as I am, and have ever been, of being an American, and of having been by birthright a citizen of the old Bay State, I feel peculiar pleasure in receiv- ing from her most eminent sons this evidence that the course which Providence has kindly enabled' me to follow, while in the land of which I have so long been a resident, has gained such cordial approval in my own native country and state. This testimonial that my eld friends have not forgotten me in my absence, and are ready to extend to me greetings, I can most heartily reciprocate. I hope for the pleasure, before again leaving for England, of personally meeting and taking by the hand most, if not all of you. Trusting that during the remainder of my life I may be so fortunate as to better justify the high opinion you have expressed of me, I remain, with sentiments of the highest respect, your humble servant, "GEORGE PEABODY." ■ ♦

It is said that a bottle of champagne costs four guineas in New York. A rather high sum tEl pay for explosive matter. A Child Accidenta.lly Ha-nged.-The other day, a child, six months old, whose parents, named Clark, live at Harton, within two miles of South Shields, had fallen asleep in bed, and the mother had placed a chair alongside in order to prevent its falling out. A few minutes afterwards, she went back to the roomi to see if the child was still asleep, and found the infant hanging by the chin to the top of the rail of the chair, quite dead. It is thought that the child had awoke, and in its endeavours to get out of bed, met with the accidenti, Death of an Omnibus Conductor.—Dr. Lan- kester held an inquest on Thursday at the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's-ian-road, on vifew of the body of Alfred Sheppard, 33 years of age. The deceased had been a conductor in the service of the London General Omnibus Company. He had latterly complained of ill-health, and had asked for a rest. He expected hav- ing a rest on Sunday, but it was not allowed. On the afternoon of that day he complained of his head, and went into the yard of the Peacock, at Islington, to bathe it in a tub of water. He rejoined his bus, and soon after passing the Angel he fell baek from his standing-place. He was conveyed to the hospital, where he died on Tuesday morning. The hospital surgeon was of opinion that the company ought to have granted the rest for which he had applied. It was also stated in evidence that he had been ia the service of the company for not less than seven years. The jury found a verdict of accidental death, and passed a resolution expressing their regret that the company refused a holiday to the deceased at a time when he was evidently unfit to perform bia duties. Terrific Thunderstorm at Filey.—Violent storms paased over Filey on Sstturday afternoon; the rain came down in torrents, and thunder rolled fear- fully. One clap of thunder was so sudden, and appa- rently so near, that the inhabitants seemed almost paralysed by the effects. The only damage dose is at the coastguard station, where the topmast of the flag- staff,ia shivered to pieces, the tiggicg burnt, and the vane at the top cut from the pivot, which, aloag with pieces of the mastt, were strewn about the yard. For- tunately it rained heavily at the time, which caused the coastguard to take shelter in the house. A large splinter from i he mast waa thrown over an adjoining house across the street.

MURDER AND SUICIDE IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE. A ease of most deliberate murder and suicicle oecurre on Tuesday morning at Swavesey, a populous, village on the borders of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon- shire, and near to St. Ives. Inquiries on the spot show that there were resident at S wavesey Mr. Dodson, a harnessmaker, and occupying a small quantity of land, his wife (one of the deceased, and, it is to be feared, the perpetrator of this double crime), and several children. The whole of the family, including an apprentice, breakfasted together at seven o'clock in the morning; and the meal, at which nothing unusual occurred, concluded, Mr. Dodson took his way into the field, and the apprentice proceeded to his work. About nine o'clock the apprentice had occasion to visit the back yard, and was then horrifiedat findingthe bodiesof Mrs. Dodson and the youngest child (the latter about four years of age) suspended from a beam in a cowshed close upon the house. The alarm was raised. Mr. Dodson, the neighbours, and medical assistance were all summoned and assembled in haste, but both Mrs. Dodson and the child were dead, and had been so for some tim&, according to the opinion of Dr. Daniels. There is very little doubt that Mrs. Dodson first destroyed the child, and then her own life. There are sundry rumours afloat as to the instigating motives of this double crime. It is said that Mrs. Dodson had taken much to heart the fact of her husband having lost several beasts by the cattle plague.

POCKET-PICKING AT THE THAMES BE,GETT-A. A boy, who gave the name of William Jones, was brought up at the Wandsworth Police-court on Thursday, and charged as follows Police-constable 234 V said: Yesterday afternoon I was on duty in plain clothes on the towing-path, when I saw tha prisoner make several attempts to pick pockets. At last he got his hand in the pocket of a female, and took out three-halfpence. I took the money from him. The female could not attend, as she said she had to go to London. She said she hoped that he would be punished. Mr. Dayman Did you take her address ? Constable: No, Air. Mr. Dayman Yon should have taken her address. I shall remand the prisoner for a week. Let there be inquiries as to whether he has been committed before. Another boy, named William Boddy, was charged by the Fame constable with a similar offence. The constable saw him make several attempts. He suc- ceeded in, getting a handkerchief half-way out of a gentleman's pocket, but on catching sight of the con- stable he left it and run away. The prisoner denied the charge, and said he came down to the river for pleasure. Remanded.

HOOTIimS moM~THM HOWL." A Council will be held this day at one o'clock, at Windsor Castle, to issue a Proclamation of Neutrality, and to eatfcie other matters of pressing importance which have stood over. Prince Teok has been offered a command in the Austrian army, and will leave England immediately for Vienna. The Princess will probably accompany him. We learn that tho Dllke of Argyll is likely to be appointed chairman of the Royal Commission about to be issued to inquire into and report upon the extent and the mode of working of the coal fields of Great Britain. We learn with great pleasure that Mr. Waddington, who has so long and ably filled. the- post of Under Secretary of State to the Home Department, is said to have the honour of being made Pi ivy Councillor at the Council to be held at Windsor this day. Colonel Conolly, A.D.C. to the Lieutenant-Genera Commanding at Aldershot, has proeeeded to Frank. fort as Military Attache to the mission of Sir A. lhlet, K. C.B. We are informed that Mr. Winter Jones, keeper of the department of printed books in the British Museum will succeed Mr. Panizzi as librarian. -=

TEE CHARGE OF STABBING A MOTHER IN TH E BEAD. On Thursday, at the Guildhal I,' Maria Longman, a pretty young woman, about 26 years of age, was placed at the bar on remand, before Alderman Mechi, charged with stabbing her mother in the head. The circumstances of this case are very melancholy. For three years past the prisoner has taken an uncon- querable dislike to her mother, without the slightest cause, although to everybody else she behaves in the most friendly manner. The young woman is under the delusion that her mother is continually following her about for the purpose of trying to do her some injury, and she on one occasion told her mother thi-t she would nov.-r be satisfied until she had her life. Fearing this might be the case, the father, a very respectable man, advised her to go to Australia; and she consented to do so. The papers from the Emigration Commissioners were signed, the money paid, and everything ready for her to sail on the 10th of July next. On the 17th last. the prisoner went to see her parents, and sud- denly took a knife out of her pocket and plunged it into the head of her mother, lacerating the left ear severely. She then fell on her knees before her father, and Baid — "Father, for- give me; I am mad-, I am mad, I am mad." The prisoner was brought before the magis- trate and remanded, with instructions to Mr. Gibbons, the surgeon at Newgate, to examine her as to the state of her mind. He sent a certificate stating that she seemed to be labouring under a delusion on one point, but he should like to see more of her before he could pronounce a decided opinion. The prisoner was accordingly remanded by Alderman Sidney until Thursday. The following certificate was handed to Alderman Mechi from the surgeon of Newgate :— Newgate, June 27, 1866. "In obedience to the instruction of the sitting magistrate, I have the honour to certify that having most carefully examined Maria Longman since her admission into the gaol on the 18th instant, with the view to ascertain the state of her mind, it is my opinion that on one subject her mind is unsound. She is under the belief that her mother is always en- deavouring to injure her—that whether near home, or many miles removed from home, in some way she is quite unable to explain, she is continually exeroising some injurious iniinence. For this belief there appears to be no foundation, and the only conclusion at which we can reasonably arrive is that she is suffering under a delusion. J. R. GIBSON, M.R.C. S., &c." Alderman Mechi asked the father if there was any reason to account for this unhappy delusion. Mr. Longman said there were natural causes which were curable by medical treatment. Alderman Mecbi said it was a most lamentable case, and he hardly knew what was best to be done with her. He thought the beat thing he could do would be to commit her for trial, and then the judges would find some means of having her taken care of until her mental and bodily health was restored. Mr. Longman asked the worthy alderman to let her go to Australia by the vessel that would sail on the 10th of July, as all the papers were signed, her pas- sage taken, and the money paid. Alderman Mechi said he was afraid to let her go from under control. H« did not consider her own life or the lives of others connected with her safe under her present state of mind. In the interests of the public he must have the poor young woman taken care of until he state of her mental and bodily health was so far improved as to render it safe to trust her to the care of her friends. He must commit her for trial. The prisoner, after being cautioned, said she had nothing to say, but that she would be perfectly safe if sent away to Australia, for she had HO prejudice against any one but her mother. The prisoner was then committed for trial. —

The Spanish Government are proceeding with great severity against the icl ore in the recent military revolt, and are eeleotin^ the sergeants, who are sup- posed to have been the instigators of the mutiny, as examples, 27 having betm already shot, and several more are to undergo a similar fate. Heavy .Damages.-An action was brought on Thursday, at Wee-tniiust-er, against the South-Eastern Railway Cisaipanv to recover damages for injuries sus- tained in the well-known Staplehurst accident. La Merchant, the plaintiff, was in the same carriage with three other p-rsoas, who were all killed, and sustained such: serious injuries that the cost of surgical attend- ance and other expenses was alleged to amount to £ 1,500. The jury gave a verdiot for the plaintiff— Damages, J3;250.

-:4 BRIDE-RACING: FORMS OF ESPOUSAL IN UNCIVILISED COUNTRIES. Let us take a Turanian example of bride-racing. The ceremony, which is performed on horseback, is described by Dr. Clarke. A girl is firat mounted, who rides off at fall speed. Her lover pursues; if he overtakes her she becomes his wife. But it sometimes happens that the woman does not wish to marry the parson bv whom she is pursued. In this case she will not suffer him to overtake her. We are assured that no instance occurs of a Kalmuck girl being thus caught unless she has a partiality to the pursuer. If she dislikes him she rides, to use the langu- age sf English sportsmen, 'neck or nought,' until she has completely effected her escape, or until her pursuer's horse becomes exhausted, leaving her at liberty to return, and to be afterwards chased by some more favoured lover." That is, the chase, where it leads to marriage, as it commonly does, is a mere form, the woman meaning to be caught. As it is always preceded by a contract, fixing the fcrida's price and consenting to the marriage, it is un- doubtedly a merely symbolical ceremony, in which the idea is that of the "unprotected female" trying to escape from her would-be captor. The chaaee of escape which it offers to a reluctant bride is an acci- dent of a ceremony, the origin of which cannot possibly be referred to the desire to consult the bride's inclina- tions. Vaaibery says that this marriage ceremonial," no doubt, with modifications from case to case, is in use among all the nomads of Central Asia. Ha de- scribes it in the case of the Turkomans. The young maiden, attired in bridal costume, mounts a high-bred caurser, taking on her lap the carcass of a lamb or goat. She sets off at full gallop, followed by the bridegroom and other young men of the pe.rty, also on horseback. She has always to strive, by adroit turns, &c., to avoid her pursuers, that no one of them approach near enough to snatch from her the burden in her lap. The chase ends, I suppose, in her being caught. "The game" is called Kokfciiri. But all wild tribes have not troops of horses like the hordes of Central Asia. When the Australian, who gets his wives by the ancient methods de facto, chases a leubra, it is on foot. Should he ever raduca the race to a symbol, the symbol will certainly represent a foot-race. And this is the form of bride-racing among the natives of Singapore, who also, being accustomed to boating, have an aquatic variety of the form. They hold great j ubilees, at the fruit season, near the groves of the tribe, which often lie together, and during these jubilees their marriages take place. "Tae marriage ceremony," says Mr. Cameron, is a simple one, t4nd the new acquaintance of the morning is often the bride of the evening. On the part of the suitor it is more a matter of arrange- ment with the parents than of courtship with the daughter; but there is a form generally observed which reminds one strongly of the old taleofHippo- menes and Atalanta. If the tribe is on the bank of a lake or stream, the damsel is given a canoe and a, double-bladed paddle, and allowed a start of some distance; the suitor, similarly equipped, starts off in chase. If he succeeds in overtaking her, ahe becomes his wife; if not, the match is broken off. It ia seldom that objection is offered at the last moment, and the race is generally a short one. The maiden's arms are strong, but her heart is soft, and her notare warm, and she soma. becomes a willing captive. If the marriage takes place where no scream is near, a round circle of a certain size is formed, the damsel is stripped of all but a waistband, and given half the circle's start in advance; and if she succeeds in running three times round before her suitor comes up with her, she is entitled to remain a virgin; if not she must consent to the bonds of matrimony. As in the other case, but fe.v outstrip their lovers." This is the Kalmuck case over again. Singapore is not singular in the equatorial regions. We find the form both as bride-racing and as brida-catching in various quarters-ia the islands of the Pooifi(i.-The Argosy.

AN ECCENTRIC NOBLEMAN. The Earl of Mar and Kellie died quietly in his man- sion at Alloa, after a somewhat eventful life. The stories of his quaint doings and writings are innumer- able, everybody having his own stock. His mode of correspondence was for many years a matter of amuse- ment to those who received it, chiefly from the habit he had of putting so much of his letters outside. He who ran might read the political opinions of the noble lord, and the past-runners had of tea much fun in deci- phering what part of the address was intended for their guidance, and what portion was intended for the recipients. But if the outsicles were curious, the ineidea were not less so. In a recent case that came to our knowledge, where the noble lord had obtained a plaia form to be addressed to an official in Edinburgh, ha carefully erased the words "I am your obedient servant," and added that he should be very sorry to sign himself the obedient servant of a person he knaw nothing about; but re- ceiving a reply in the usual set terms of deference and attention, the earl, in his reply, then said, "As I have been eo civilly answered, I have muoh pleasure in signing myself your obedient servant." It is but a few weeks since he wrote a curious letter to a news- paper, asking the paper to be sent to him daily, per post, as soon after publication of that newspaper as possible." The letter then weat on to say that it was not to be addressed to Kellie Castle, nor to Fifeshire, nor to Stirling, nor to Alva, nor to Ireland, but only to him at Alloa."

THE CASE OF MADAME VALENTIN. In the Court of Q reen's Bench the ease of Valentin v. Hall occupied tha attention of Lird Chief Justice Cockburn and a special jury the while of last week. Mr. Serjeant Simon, Mr. Quia, and Mr. Hersshei were- coapsel for the plaintiff; and Mr. Coleridge, Q.C., Mr. Serjeant Ballantine, Mf. Raw, and Mr. Day for the defendant. This case has baen so often brought before the public that a very short history of it will suffice. Madame Valentin, the plaintiff, had lived from 1830 with a M. Doriflon, a French merchant at Bordeaux, who died in September, 1862, leaving great wealth behind him. He left a daughter married to one Bouillon. She and her husband arrived in Paris on the evening before her father's death. He left a will bequeathing 40,000fr. to the plaintiff, and the residue of his property to Ma.da.me B oaillon. The plaintift had inquiries made of her about a variety of shares which had belonged to the deceased; some she gave up, and denied the possession of others. Bouillon instituted criminal proceedings against her for the concealment of the shares, and she was convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and that imprisonment she had undergone. She had disposed of other shares, for whieh she had received 100,000fr., and wlf,h thit she came to Eng- land. The Bouillons followed her, and empl j v-j-.i Hail as their attorney, and he commenced an action against her for the recovery of the value of th3 sha. and she was arrested on an affidavit of one Lifourcade. When in prison defendant got possession or the pro- ceeds of the shares. The notion against her was tried in the Court of Exchequer, aad she then set up a gift by Dontlon of the shares, and she obtained a verdict. Prosecutions for perjury agaiust plaintiff and against Lafourcade were instituted and there were convictions in each case. The plaintiff alleged that the deceased had intended to marry her, but the marriage had not taken place, as he had died sad enly, but had given her these sbares. The plitii,t,ff then brought this action against Hall for having taken the shares, which he pleaded belonged to Bouillon. Masses of evidence w ire produced on both sides, and as many of th-s witnesses-were examined by in- terpreters, the trial has beea long and tedious. Mr. Serjeant Simon having replied, the Lord Chief Justice summed up, when the jury returned a verdiot for the defendant.

A journey to Scotland costs her Majesty £ 1,009, and the return to England the same amoant. A Family of Soldieia. —Oae Giuseppe Basini, a baker of Forli, has at this moment nine sons serving in the Italian ara,Y.. Tlie Poor people Of ICew.-A liberal entertain- ment was providea ior the pi,or inhabitants of Kew by the tradespeople of the Duchess of Cambridge, on. Kew. green. A marquee erected on the greep, within which nearly 350 persons dined-the band of the V division of perfyrmiug music. The Rev. P. W. Nott. presided. At a lafer hour the tent was nsed for dancing, when a qa-ririlJe band took the place of tho police bdr d. In the evening the trades- people of her Roval Highness the Duohess of Cam- bridge assembled at the Coach and Horses, Kew, to cèlebtata the Princess Mary's marriage.