The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

BPITOMB OF NEWS. A sea-fight took place last week between a Port- sea and dog and a conger eel, off the Isle of Portland. The dog proved victorious. The Committee of the House of Lords have passed the bill for a new and independent line of rail- way to Brighton. Arthur Harvey, aged eighteen, was bathing just off Batcersea last week when, it is supposed, the cramp seized him, and he was drowned. Three youths have been fined X5 each by the Liverpool magistrates, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment, for secreting themselves (not having paid any passage money) on board the Inman steamer City of Cork, bound to New York. Ann Messenger, in the service of Mr. Neelds, of Wood-green, Middlesex, was found lying on the floor of the kitchen the other day, with her clothes burnt off, and so extensively injured that but slight hopes are entertained of her recovery. Letters from Athens state that a large extent of the best vineyards in Greeoe are attacked by oidium, and that repeated treatment by sulphur has not re- medied the evil. The crop, which had promised well, will therefore suffer considerably. A fearful storm is reported to have swept over the Adriatic. The Italian fleet in harbour at Ancona has suffered severely, and the ironclad ram Affondatore was suuk. The Affondatore was built by the Mill wall Shipbuilding Company. Efforts are being made to raise her. The Registrar-General's weekly return shows. that last week the cholera made further progress in London. The number of deaths were 1,053, being 149 more than in the previous week. There were also seven mora deaths from diarrhoea. Out of the whole number of deaths from cholera no less than 916 were in the E3.8t. districts. Reportad Seizure of Ships at Liverpool. — The Liverpool Journal of Commerce of Tuesday states that the American consul at Liverpool has ob- tained a warrant for the seizure of seven steamers be- longing to Messrs. Frazer, Trenholm, and Co., and which it is alleged belonged to the Confederate Go- vernment. The warrant was obtained on the strength of an affidavit made by a clerk of Messrs. Frazer, Trenholm, and Co. The Fight for the Championship.-The long- talked of fighr, between Mace and Goss for £ 400 and the championship of England took place on Monday at Purfleet. Mace won after 21 quick rounds had been fought in 30 minutes. He had the best of the encounter throughout, Goss being much punished. The Oldest Land in the World.-Professor Agassiz says that the strip of "high lands which divide the waters-flowing into the St. Lawrence from those flowing into the Atlantic," is the oldest land in the world. It was once a lonely sea beach, washed by a universal ocean. Mrs. Yelverton.—Mrs. Theresa Yelverton (Long- worth) has presented a petition to the House of Lords, praying that she may fee permitted to proceed with her second appeal from the Court of Session in Soot- land against Major Yelverton in formd pauperis. The petition was on Thursday referred to the Appeal Committee. The Sir J. Mandeville, a large vessel, jast arrived from Bombay, with a cargo of nearly 6,000 bales of cotton, drifted from her moorings in the Sloyne, on Monday, and got upon the Pluckington Bank, a VI: ry dangerous shoal at the south end of the town, Fortunately several "powerful steamtugs were at hand, and she was ultimately dragged away and to ?ed into the Coburg Dock. The scheme for the settlement of the costs of the claimants to the Bunda and Kirwee booty has received the sanction of the Treasury. The sum allowed by the Right Hon. Stephen Lushington is upwards of £ 43,000. Sir Eoundell Palmer, the late Attorney-General gets = £ 1,000 as his share, Mr. Eolt, Q.C., gets 100 guineas, and Sir Fitzroy Kelly, the new Chief Baron of the Exchequer, 500. An English counterfeiter. of greenbacks, Bay s the New York Sun, has been arrested at Atlanta. He states that the bills were made at Nottingham, Eng. land, and that he, with nine accomplices, came here for the purpose of peddling them. There are three in New York, two in Boston, one in Cincinnati, one in St. Louis, one in Nashville, and one unknown. He refuses to describe them. Considerable quantities of these counterfeit greenbacks are in circulation in Memphis. They are well executed. Importation of Mosquitoes.-The Journal de Bordeaux states that an invasion of mosquitoes has just fallen upon that city. They lie concealed in the houses during the day, and at night, as soon as the lights are extinguished, issue forth and render sleep impossible. They are supposed to have been brought by some vessels from tropical regions, and all attempts to purge the apartments of them by fumigation or otherwise has been ineffectual. The Public Income and Expenditure.—An account of the gross public income of the United Kingdom for the year ending 30th of Jane last was published on Saturday. The total ordinary expendi- ture was Y,66,767,165 18s. 3d., which was raised by fortification expenses ( £ 600,000) to 467,367,165 18s. 3d. The total income of the year was X67,726,436 0s. 7d.; the exoess of income over total expenditure being X359,270 2s. 4d. The balances in the Exchequer amounted to zC4,471,670 14s. 7d. No balance remained of the money raised for fortifications. Breach of Promise of Marriage. At the Exeter assizes, before Mr. Justice Byles, an action for breach of promise of marriage, Capron v. Denning, was tried. The parties were neighbours, and it was alleged that the plaintiff, a farmer, near Ottery St. Mary, had kept company with Miss Capron, bad pro- mised her marriage, had purchased a ring, and had made other provisions for the marriage. The jury found a verdict for plaintiff—damages, £35(i). Fall of a Suspension Bridge.—The Rotonde suspension bridge at Nantes, France, gave way two days back, while a herd of 40 bullocks was passing over. The cattle had been divided into two portions, of which the first with two men got safely across; but the second lot with a drover named Tertrois were precipitated into the water. The man lost his life, not from drowning, but from the animals falling on him. Several of the latter also perished. The bridge was very old. St. Paul's CathedraL—The Bishop of London has appointed the following gentlemen to preach at St. Paul's Cathedral on Sunday mornings in the month of August, 1866Sunday, August 5, the Rev. Edward Meyrick Goulbum, D.D., of Merton College, Oxford, incumbent of St. John's Church, Paddington Sunday, August 12, the Rev. Robert George Baker, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, vicar of All Saints', Ful- ham; Sunday, August 19feh, the Eev. Thomas Jackson, M.A., of St. Mary'fl-hall, Oxford, rector of St. Mary's, Stoke Newington; Sunday, August 26th, the Rev. William Charles Fynes Webber, M.A., of Christ Church, Oxford, rector of St. Botolph's, Aldersgate, and sub-dean of St. Paul's Cathedral. Attempted Suicide.—Charles Reed, 70 years of age, a law-writer, was charged, at Worship-street, with having out his throat with a penknife, on the 23rd of May last. The defendant was living in a house in Martha-street, Haggerstone, at the time he attempted snioide. The wound was bound up by a surgeon who was called in, and he was removed to the hospital, where he has been ever since. It was stated that his wife died the day before, and he was in a state of great mental anguish. He had a eon-in-law at Norwood managing a large establishment, and a sister who sup- ported herself by her needle, but none of his friends were present.—Mr. Ellison direoted that his son-in- law should be communioated with, and that he should be sent to the workhouse for the present, since he had no home to go to, his house having been sold. The death of Signor Farini is announced. Few men came more prominently forward in the great movement by whieh the unity of Italy was assured. He was a physician who, having been expelled from Rome for political causes, was created Dictator of Modena in 1860, when the Duke was driven out. Sub. sequently Fariai was Governor of Naples. He was a man in whom Count Cavonr placed the most implicit confidence. He filled various places in the Italian 'Ministry; but he worked too hard and brought on softening of the brain. In this lamentable condition he has been for some time. In Italy he will be deeply amen ted. Lady Don and a Party of Maories.-DLiring the detention of the barque Strathspey, in which Lady Don was a passenger to Callao, a party was made up to visit the Maori Kaik, at the Heads, in which her ladyship, Mr. Wilton, and Captain Deane joined. After rambling about for some time amongst the huts, one of the Maories recognised Lady Don, from having seen her perform at the Princess's Theatre. A report was spread through the settlement, and a large con- course of Maories, including their Princess, assembled round the party and requested her to act as in the theatre, whereon her ladyship humorously sang My Johnnie was a shoemaker," which delighted her sable audience very much. The Princess joined in the chorus, during which the Maories danced round to the tune. I Two Brothers Drowned at Scarborough. —Two young gentlemen named Baldwin, residing at Scarborough, were drowned, last week, whilst bathing on the North Shore. The deceased were brothers, aged respectively 10 and 14 years. They had not been long in the water before the younger brother was ob- served being fast carried out by the current. His elder brother, seeing the danger, bravely swam out after him, but, although he was a good swimmer, he also was carried away. Assistance was promptly ren- dered by the attendants of the Allen Safety Boat, but all in vain. One of the bodies was washed up in a short time, and was taken to the workhouse, where it was soon identified. The other body has not been re- covered. Explosion of Coal Gas at Sea.—The screw steamship Alford, of London, 638 tons, Captain John Ellis, put into the Sound on Friday afternoon. She is from Cardiff, with coal and cask staves, bound to Charente. When off the Land's-end, at four in the morning, the mast-head light was brought down, and shortly afterwards an explosion of coal-gas occurred forward. The upper part of the head of the boatswain was blown off. Another seaman has several ribs broken. The remainder of the crew were forward, and escaped injury. Several feet of the deck were blown up, and the iren combings of the hatchway of the fore hold were torn to pieces. The hatahway was closed at night and opened in the morning. After the explosion the ship was put before the wind. The Bishop of New Zealand has been visiting the famous gold district of Otago. In an address to the inhabitants there his lordship said You have even the pleasure of classical allusions and associa- tions. You have your Mount Ida; and I was really delighted by it to be reminded both of Homer and of Virgil. Tennyson, too, says: Oh! mother Ida many-fountain'd Ida.' Another classical allusion may be suggested. At Mount Ida, one is reminded of tineas landing in Italy, and finding on the highway the sow with her thirty farrow, which fixed the site of Alba Longa. That no doubt entered into the thoughts of the surveyor who named the streams that flow from your Mount Ida, and which are called Hogbura, Sow- burn, Pigburn, and so on" (laughter). Escape of a Panther from a Menagerie.— A young panther between six and eight months old, forming part of a menagerie, escaped two days back from the Softeville railway station by gnawing an opening in its cage while on its way from Paris to Havre. A number of persons, armed with guns and pitchforks, started in pursuit, and discovered the animal in some fields, at Quatre-Mares, where it was shot. It was then stripped of its skin and the remains buried, with the exception of some pieces of flesh, which several of the persons who had joined in the chase cut off, with the intention of tasting when roasted. A Father's Neglected Children. John Crump, a labourer, was charged before the magistrate at Wandsworth with wilfully neglecting his two chil- dren. The children, aged four and nine years, were found in the prisoner's room in an empty house in a disgraceful state of filth, and covered with rags; the prisoner was away from home and the door was locked. The prisoner returned home drunk. A policeman took the children to the workhouse, and said it would be some time before they could be cleansed, as it was necessary that they should be passed through the infirmary, and have their heads shaved. The prisoner denied neglecting his children, and denied being drunk. Mr. Dayman tolsl the prisoner he had put himself in a-periioua position, for if he were sent for trial, he might be sentenced to a long imprisonment, which he most richly deserved. Ho was remanded for a week. Accounts reach us that Bishop Phmket, of Tua-m, has been seized with an attack of apoplexy. Dr. Stokes, of Dublin, was called by telegram to attend him, and, proceeding by special train to the palace, found him dangerously ill, but not beyond hope of recovery. The bishop is in his 74th year. The troops in the Royal Barracks, Dublin, were paraded on Saturday while the sentences—penal servi- tude for life-of the courts-martial on Corporal Cham- bers and Private Cranston, for Fenianiam, were read out. The corporal's stripes were cut from Chambers's military jacket, and the prisoners were then reconveyed to gaol. Keform Meeting at Reading.-On Saturday evening a meeting was held at the School of Art Room, Reading, when a branch of the Reform League was established. The room was completely filled by respectable working men, and the chair was occupied by Mr. John Box. Some working men spoke, and several members were enrolled. An Act of Parliament has just been issued to authorise the construction of a new pier at Hastings, to be called The Alexandra Pier." The Harbour Company are to commence the construction of the harbour works before the 16th of August inst. They have decided not to begin the Alexandra Pier until they have expended £ 40,000. An inquest was recently held in Hoxton on the body of Matilda Arno, aged 26 years. The deceased was separated from her husband, and lived with another man. On Monday night she disappeared, and on Wednesday her body was discovered in the Regent's Canal. The medical evidence showed that she was about to become a mother. The jury returned a verdict of Found drowned in the Regent's Canal." Mistaking a Gentleman's Head for a Rabbit.-Mr. W. Foster, jun., of Middlemoor, was the other day shooting rabbits in a part of his father's land called the Cliff, and had set down on a stone and taken off his hat, and was eagerly watching the move- ments of a rabbit that had come out of the rocks. Whilst so engaged, a hay time man, from Well House, mistaking Mr. Foster's head for a black rabbit, took aim and fired, the shot striking Mr. Foster in the head, neck, and shoulders. Fortunately the wounds are not of a dangerous character, and no fear is entertained of Mr. Foster's recovery. Singular Matrimonial Story. — The Hon. Obadiah Browne and Mrs. Cora Browne were re- married a short time since at Newhaven. They were first married nearly a quarter of a century ago, lived happily for some time, and became parents of two sons, now grown up. Trouble came, and they were divorced. Mr. Browne married again, and after living with his eecynd wife for a number of years was divorced from her. He finally renewed the acquaint- ance of his first wife, and the result was that he has now led her to the altar for the second time.- Chicago Tribune. The Locusts in Algeria.—A private letter of the 17th July from Algiers, gives a deplorable account of the destruction caused in that province by the lo- custs. Their invasion had lasted two months. They had nearly eaten up the crops, and in many places stripped every green leaf from the trees. In some places the devastating insects lie on the ground a foot deep. The looal authorities at one time gave five francs a quintal for the collection and destruction of the locusts, but had reduced the reward to two francs. Some of the cultivators had abandoned their farms, shut up their houses, and removed into Algiers, in consequence of the loss of their crops. To prevent a repetition of the plague by the langostines or young of the locusts, just come out of the egg and covering the earth in all directions, the troops are distributed in parties over the fields to assist the cultivators in destroying the pest. Subscriptions, says the writer of this letter, have been opened in France and Algiers, to relieve the sufferings of the numbers who have been ruined by this terrible visitation. A Husband Stabbed by his Wife.-At the Woolwich Police-court on Wednesday a young woman of respectable appearance, named Mary Ann Hay- ward, was charged with attempting to murder her husband. On the night of Sunday, the 22nd of July, the prisoner returned home at a late hour, and a quarrel, which lasted until two o'clock on the follow- ing morning, took place between her and her husband, the result being that the prisoner plunged a kaife in her husband's side near his heart, and he has since remained in a very precarious condition. Shortly after the occurrence he was considered to be in imminent danger, and Mr. Traill proceeded to take his deposi- tion, which was to the effect that he had some words with his wife, but could not remember what they were. He was not tipsy, neither was he sober. He thought he hit his wife, and after that the stab hap- pened. No one but himself and wife were present. She was cutting bread with the knife. He was certain that he struck first. Other evidence was given, and the prisoner, who appeared to feel her position acutely, and sobbed piteously, was committed for trial. A rather strange murder cafie was brought under the notice of Dr. Lank ester on Tuesday. It appears that one morning last month a lady residing in the City-road went into her front garden for the pur- pose of watering the plants. On going to a tub in which the water was kept, she saw the body of a child apparently eighteen months old, head downwards. The name of the child or the perpetrators of the foul deed has not yet been discovered, but the jury have come to the conclusion that the unfortunate child hag been wilfully murdered, and it is likely that a Government reward will be offered for the apprehen- sion of the murderer. At another child-murder inves. tigation at which Dr. Lankester had to preside on the same day, he stated that no less thBtl four cases of a similar character had been brought under his attention within a day or two. A Farmer Committed for Forgery.—At Dewsbury petty sessions, John Oldroyd, farmer, was brought up for uttering a forged bill of exchange for .£65 18s. There were two bills which it was alleged the prisoner had forged and uttered, but it was only intended to go upon one. Evidence was given to show that the prisoner was up to May last in tha employ- ment of Messrs. David Wroe and Co., colliery pro- prietor, Dewsbury Moor, as bookkeeper and collector. In April last he gave the cashier the bill above stated, which purported to be drawn by Messrs. Ephraim Fox and Sons, and to bear the endorsement of that firm, and cash, together amounting to .£100, in part payment of an account for coal, X- 170. The bill was paid into the branch of the Huddersfield Banking Company, at Heckniondwike, when it was, after run- ning its course, returned dishonoured, and declared to be a forgery. Mr. Fox, of the firm of Ephraim Fox add Sons, woollen manufacturer, Staincliffe, said the signature of the firm on the bill was not theirs. They did not pay on account for their coal, but paid the prisoner cash for the whole in April last. The prisoner, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial to the assizes. Sentence of Death-At the Norfolk assizes, on Saturday, Hannah Colthorpe was tried for the murder of her illegitimate child. The evidence showed that the child, about two years old, had been put out to nurse, and that its mother, giving up her place as house servant, had asked the nurse woman to meet her with the child at a place named, on the Norwich- road, Ipswich. She said she was going with the child to the workhouse. Next m?™ia = T%7!e e'ef!8 body of the child was found in a, ditch. When apprehended the prisoner made a statement ^"10h ataoun'ced to a confession of guilt. The jury loufid ner guilty, but strongly recommended her to mercy. Sentence of death was passed, the judge promising that the jury's recommendation should be rerwarded to the proper quarter. Whilst the sentence was being passed the prisoner fell into an hysterical fit Fifteen Cottages Burned Down in Oxford- ct shire.—On Saturday afternoon a fire broke out at the village of Islip, the hrSi station from Oxford on the Buckingham avid London and North-Western Railway, which in a very short time caused fifteen poor families to be houseless-their abodes with their furniture being entirely consumed. It was nearly three hours before an engine from Oxford arrived, too late to save any of the cottages. The fire originated in a hovel, where some hot embers had been incautiously shrown in with the ashes, the door was left open, and they were fanned into a flame. The buildings being thatched, the fire soon communicated to the cottages, and, assisted by a strong wind, they were quickly levëlled to the ground. Mexico.—"The news from Mexico," says the Inclependance, "is decidedly unfavourable. The cap- ture of Matamoras, announced some time ago, but which the optimism of the Mexican official reports sought to oontradiot, has been, as you know, confirmed by the French Monitewr. The roads continue to be so unsafe that journeys to any- distance in Mexico can now only be undertaken in caravans; those who travel by diligence expose themselves to be robbed or murdered. The taking of Matamoras by the Juarists, at a time when Marshal Baz&ine still commands the French army, shows what will be the audacity of the disaffected after the departure of those troops. Fifteen battalions of ca,asadorea (native chasseurs) are being organised, forming an affective of 18,500 men. This organisation is effected, provisionally at least, at the expense of France." Banquet to Her Majesty's Ministers. The customary banquet, given by each successive Lord Mayor of London to her Majesty's Ministers for the time being, took place on Wednesday night at the Mansion-house. The entertainment was of the most sumptuous description, and, as it is some time since the guests who graced the Egyptian-hall were Con- servative statesmen, the proceedings were invested with unusual interest, The compliments paid by the Lord Mayor to the patriotism, the ability, and the statesmanship of his guests followed each other with an evident appropriateness; and the speeches of the Earl of Derby, Lord Chelmsford, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the other guests who addressed the csmpany, were worthy of so distinguished an occasion.

THE HUSBAND, THE WIFE, AND THE LODGER. Among the applicants who came before Mr. Ingham, at the Wandsworth Police-court, on Tuesday, was a respectable-looking working man, and he stated that he wanted advice as to the way to get rid of a lodger. On being told that he must serve his lodger with a notice to quit, he replied that he found his wife in bed with him. Applicant had told him to leave his place, but he refused and insulted him. If he laid his hands upon his lodger the law would not protect him. The applicant further said that his lodger laughed at him, and said his wife had no business in bed with him. Mr. Ingham inquired whether the lodger called the applicant by any offensive name. The applicant said not exactly. He only laughed and jeered him, and that of course was very aggra- vating. He (the lodger) said that if anyone's wife liked to come to his bed he would net prevent her. Mr. Ingham said he could not give him a summons for that. The applicant then said that his wife had gone away. Mr. Ingham thought that was a good riddanoe. He told the applicant that he was not bound to support his wife any more, neither would he be liable for one farthing on her account. He also explained to him that if his circumstances permitted him to incur an expense he could sue for a divorce. With regard to the lodger, the applicant would have to give him notice to quit. The applicant then thanked the magistrate for his advice, and left the court.

BREACH OF PROMISJJj OF MARRIAGE CASE. At the Town-hall, Leeds, on Monday, a jury was empannelled before Mr. Wheelhouso, the Sheriff's assessor, to award damages in an action, Langthorn v. Ellison," in which the defendant had suffered judg. ment to go by default. It had been brought for a breach of promise of marriage, the plaintiff being a weaver at Mr. Dewhurst's mill in Skipton, and the defendant is a cattle-dealer at Carlton, near that town. Mr. Robinson said the plaintiff was 19, and the daughter of the clerk at Christ Church, Skipton. The defendant, whose age was 32, became acquainted with her at Whitsuntide, 1864, when he got the mother's approbation to visit her at her home. The intimacy soon became closer, and letters passed between them. The first was dated Sunday evening, and he (Mr. Robin. son) thought it was evidently the first, because in it he addressed the plaintiff as "My dear Miss Lang- thorn." The others which followed were couched in terms of greater endearment. One dated Carlton, Tuesday evening," called the plaintiff "JMy Dear Mary Ann; and in it, after explaining that he had been travelling, he said," Please to meet me to-morrow night (Wednesday) in the fields in Broughten-road. Crosa the line at the gatehouse. I will not keep you long, Mary Ann; don't be afraid to come, for you have no cation to be frightened of me. I will be there at the time specified to meet you-From your own dearest JACK." The plaintiff met the defendant as re- quested, and he appeared then to have seduced her. The plaintiff was delivered of a child on the 2nd of April last, and nearly up to Christmas last the defendant continued his visits, being about that time married to a lady at Manchester. It was contended on behalf of the plaintiff that the defendant had deliberately intended to break his promise, and, therefore, the case called for exemplary damages. The only question was as to the defendant's circumstances. He had told the mother of the plaintiff that he did a large business, and was not at a loss for a few hun- dreds, and could earn 18a. a day the year through. He had also told the plaintiff that a man at Gargrave owed him 100, and he was going to have a lawsuit about it at Liverpool. He had talked to the plaintiff about re- ceiving telegrams from Scotland, relative to cattle, and that he had been riding from nine o'clock on Monday morning until eleven on Saturday night, and from these circumstances the jury would ba able to form an opinion what he could ears. The plaintiff had ob- tained an order in bastardy against the defendant, and the magistrates who lived in the same locality as the defendant, and would know his circumstances, had made an order upon him for the highest amount which the law allowed. Mr. Bruce addressed the jury in mitigation of damages, contending that the defendant was not a cattle dealer, but merely a driver. The learned assessor having summed up, the jury re- tired, and after being looked up nearly four hours awarded the plaintiff .£68 5s.

A SKETCH OF DICK COTTON'S COURTSHIP. Yea, sir, my wife does look like a queen. That is the remark I am accustomed to hear whenever I intro- duce her to any OBe. It is the remark I made myself when I first saw her at the Isle of Wight, several years ago. Not that queens are always lovely. Little Vic- toria, a most excellent woman, motherly and plump, looks no more royal than our grocer's wife, Mrs. Smoker, in her Sunday gown, and Eugenie, though once beautiful, is too much like a walking fashion-plate to be regal. She was nineteen when I first saw her walking on the beach at sanset. The sun was shining on her hair- pale gold, not reddish-and with ripples like those on the heads of antique statues. Her forehead was like Bnow, and her eyes like a Spanish girl's, black and glittering, as though down in their liquid darkness were buried two great flashing diamonds. The turn of her head, the shape of her bust, the movement of her Land, the very sweep of her dree, were regal. I give you my word, sir, regal. I did no know her name—I never expected to know it. From the first mom. nt I was in love with her, but, to vow the truth, just as much in awe of her, and she seemed as far away fram me as-as-the moon, sir. xou see, at that period, I was only young DICk Cottqn, iiinior, clerk at Quibbs and Co.'s; had not the slightest claim to being fashionable; and but for a legacy of a few hundreds from an old uncle, should not have been able to afford the summer trip to New. port, and a month's holiday with cessation of salary. Not that I stood in awe of people in general. When the rich Miss A., or the great belle, Miss B., were pointed out to me, I saw pretty girls in elaborate toilettes. They had money—I had not much. They resided in Belgravia—I didn't. That was all. But this lady seemed removed from me by formid- able barriers never to be overstepped. With some of the lesser lights, indeed, I became acquainted; but the thought of an introduction to the lady I mentally designated as the queen never entered my mind. So when, standing with my friend David Brown, upon the piazza, I saw him bow to this divinity, I stood aghast as though Juno had come to earth, and some one had nodded to her. "Do you know that lady ? I gasped. And he answered- "Know her? Of course. That's Miss Augusta M'Pherson, down here with her father, who has been ill with gout, or rheumatism, or something. Like to know her ? I'll introduce you." I was in a dream when I heard my friend say, "Miss M'Pherson, Mr. Cotton," and saw the white robes Sweep about in the mysteriously graceful manner as she bowed. I walked beside her on the beach, Brown on the other side. I heard her say it was fine, and hoped it would remain so; but the royal presence in which I found myself so overwhelmed me that it seemed pre- sumptuous in me to intrude myself and my opinions about the weather into public notice. So I remained mute until we parted, when I bowed low, and she once more swept a curtsey. Nice girl," said Brown. Fine looking; but she takes airs and freezes you. J like a jolly girl Now, there's Miss Kidd: you may hear her laugh a mile off; and such a one to dance the schottische; and Miss Flip-jolly too, though she will be sentimental. You don't mind that, you know, on a moonlight night when you are lazy. This one there's no flirting with, and she won't dance what I call the hugging dances.' She'll die an old maid, or marry a parson, with all her beauty." He was puffing at a cigar with his eyes half shut, and I don't suppose he knew when I left him. It was better to go off in that impolite way than to knock him down, as I should if I had remained. I give you my word I should, sir. I went back to the beach to find the place on which Augusta M'Pherson had been standing when I was introduced to her, that I might kis it;" I discovered the fairy foot-print, but the presence of a large family party prevented the completion of my design. How- ever, I picked up a pebble from the spot, and put it in my left-hand pocket, which answered quite as well. After that, finding myself unequal to meeting strangers, I went to my own room and read Byron. Byron was tall, and elegant, and interesting. I was roly-poly and common-place, but how his sentiments went to my heart! I was quite as desperate as be- quite. Why not ? There was I whom Nature had unkindly made, personally speaking, a match for some cook or housemaid, in love with a queen—a woman regal in every look and tone, for whom only a king could be a match. Of course, she would never think of me a second time. Being upon the subject of looks, I bethought me of a certain dozen of cartes- de-visitel had in my portmanteau. Perhaps, after all, I was not so ill-looking. I brought them to light. Alas I did not look either dignified or interesting-holding up a chair, with a pillar behind me, and the vice in which the artist had screwed my head plaialy visible on either side of my neck. I was disgusted, shocked, enraged. Surely I might sue that gentleman for a libel. I crammed the hideous things in my pocket, and threw myself on my bed, vowing that Augusta M'Pherson and the light of day should never beam upon me more. But they did. I grew hungry at dinner time, and went down in a new white vest. Next to me sat a maiden in purple silk. She turned —it was Miss Augusta M'Pberson. She smiled and mentioned the fact that "it," meaning the weather, "was warmer." Afterward she introduced me to a white-haired old gentleman as Pa." That was Mr. M'Pherson. To him I could talk. I listened to a dissertation about sitting in draughts, and we conversed volubly about cotton, which he was of opinion would go up." Soon Mr. M'Phersor. retired, and the sound of music stole into the parlour where we sat, and one after another arose and sought the dancing room, and I offered my arm to the queen beside me, and we fol- lowed. Then arose the humiliating knowledge that she was taller than I by half a head. I was only one of a crowd after that. Men who did not dance gathered about Augusta, and other ladies, weary or disinclined for exercise, were added to the group. Some I knew. I could talk to them. We chatted and grew merry. By-and.by Augusta became very silent. Suddenly there came in at the casement a waspish fly, who buzzed about the plump, bare shoulders of MiEs Kidd and alarmed her. I, as in duty bound, flew to the rescue, whipped from my pocket my per- fumed cambric kerchief, and with it put the insect to roat. But in so doing, out tumbled that hideous pack of chair, upholding cartes de visite, on which the ladies pounced, for each an album. Oh, yes, we must,—don't give him one back," and with giggles and exclamations, the horrid things were appropriated, to be put with other horrid things, between covers of emboased leather with golden clasps. Don't you want one, Miss M'Pherson ? Thus spoke Miss Flip, with gleeful affectation. Augusta, quiet and calm, smiled politely, and replied that she had no album." Of coarse not, and if she had, would she put roly- poly, holding up a chair, between its pages ? Only eleven," cried Miss Kidd. Oh, Mr. Cotton, you've hidden one. Upon my honour, Miss Kidd, no. The dozen are there." Then Miss Kidd carefully searched the floor and her qompanions' pockets, and I emptied mine, but the twelfth carte de visite was gone, vanished from the face of the earth since its first appearance. "For I counted a dozen," said Miss Rose Bud; "you know I picked them up." Then Augusta, rising, swept bsck her robes that they might look under her chair, aud did it with an air of such majestic contempt of cartes de visite and those who accumulated them, that I felt ashamed of ever having had one taken. And, lest she might come across it, I searched for that missing picture diligently, but it could not be found. How little did I guess that all my future happiness hung on that missing picture. The days wore on. Some of the butterflies fluttered away to other places. The favourable air kept Mr. M'Pherson at the Isle of Wight-. There also, of course, remained Augusta. QCleenlikø she swept adown the baach at sunset. Queenlike she condescended to talk to me. Sometimes she sung to her father and let me listen. There was osly one comfort in it all. If I was next to nothing in her estimation, so were others. She cared for no ose's admiration— not that of the hand- somest or most celebrated. Oh, those long, delicious, wretched days, those moonlight evenings, when I basked in her royal smile. I could not tear myself away. Sometimes I half fancied that she knew I adored her, much as 8h. knew that her spaniel did, or her canary bird. All the while tender, adoring thoughts were m my hear, aud I would have spoken out, had IJo°ked, asi wel- E-B felfc like Byron—had I been somebody besides lifctL Dick Cotton, of Quibbs and Co,'e. Quid's ended mv dream at las* My holiday had e-Sred f w.v summoned home. Unless, mdeeo, wrote my uncle, "I desire some other young man to euin-y my advantages at the wholesale establishment into which I had been fortunate enough to enter, and where, with due attention to business I might make mTodays of miserable ecstasy were past. I must leave her. I told her so that night—at least I said- "I shall be obliged to start for the city to-morrow. She gave a queenly sort of bow, and said- "Indeed. Papa will miss you. There are so lew here." She was always royally courteous. Any one so highly bred could not be rude for her life. But that was all. She dismissed the thought from her mind at ones, and swept into the dancing-room five minutes after on the arm of Colonel J asper, of whom I was mortally jealous, for, despite the fact that he had beside that left arm on which she leant, only an empty sleeve, he was more a match for her than any man at the Isle of Wight that season. I rushed away and went do vu to the beach. 1 here I hired a, boat, and rowed myself out on the stuu water to indulge in melancholy reverie. In & £ 0llu half an hour I was hailed from the shore. there stood Miss Rose Bud, my friend Brown, and Augusta MThersan still on the arm of Colonel Jasper. Oh, I know you," cried Rose Bud; come and tai couM not refuse. I approached them. I thought Augusta would not enter, but she did. I had an ex- cuse for offering her the assistance of my Ji Oh, the little velvet palm, how it thrilled through me. I felt my heart beat, and then stop, and then beat furiously again, and remember nothing more until Brown cried- I say, Cotton, what are you doing ? and the next instant felt that the boat was overset. The ladies screamed. Brown uttered a ferocious exclamation. I caught the white garments of Augusta M'Pherson. I was a good swimmer, and knew that I could save her. We were not far from the shore, and three pleasure boats came at once to our assistance. Rose Bud nearly contrived to drown herself and Brown by her struggles, but nevertheless we were all rescued. In a few moments we were all on shore, and Augusta had fainted in my arms. Rose Bud was in hysterics. Ladies surrounded both. One who stood near Augusta called for smelling salts. No one had any, but another lady deolared that Miss M'Pherson generally had a smelling bottle in her pocket. In went a hand at once—out came a handerchief, a pair of gloves, and a wet piece of card or paper-at laet the smelling bottle. That being seized upon, I took possession of the rest, to restore to her when she had recovered consciousness. Alas! I was tempted to dishonesty. Think what a temptation it was to have gloves and a kerchief worn by your best beloved thrown in your way. Augusta recovered soon, apologised for the trouble she had given, and called herself silly." When she was able she returned to the house on the arm of her father, who had come to the beach in his dressing gown on hearing of the accident. And I, after being thanked for saving her life," went to my chamber. There I lit a light, spread gloves and kerchief on the table, and apostrophised them as things she had worn and touched. Then I glanced at the damp oard. Aha! a carte de visite-my rival's portrait. Now I should see the king who was to mate my queen. Could I bear it ? I would. I looked at the card again. Ah! it was roly-poly. It held up a chair. Behind it was a column. It was—myself! my carte de visite, and it had fallen from Augusta M'Pherson's pocket! The missing carte de visite, not to be found by mischievous Rose Bud, or the waiter bribed to find it, in Augusta M'Pherson's pocket all this while! What did it mean ? There were some words written in ink, and not erased, upon the margin. I held it to the light, and read this:— Dear Silly, darling, he doesn't guess how much I think of him." It was in her hand. Don't ask what I did,sir. I was beside myself with joy. When I woke up next morning my queen was gone. But, instead, there was a loving girl under the same roof with me whom I dared to think of wooing and ef winning. As early as I dared I sought her out, and before the morning train started we were engaged. I didn't tell her about the carte de visite, of course; but I told her how I loved her, and she—well, sir, you can guess what she said without my telling you. We were married in a year, and have been happy ever since.