South Wales Daily News

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS BIRTH. HOSGOOD.—On the 26th inst., at Barry, the wife of J. H. Hosgood, a son. 13 DEATHS. DAVIES.-On the 27th August, at 7, Eldop-road, after a few days' illness, Thomas Davies, late Sergeant- Major 3rcl Battalion Welsh Regiment, and Scots Guards. Age 60. 962 LEWIS. -On tne 25th inst., at the King's Head Inn, Blaina, Annie, wife of H. M. Lewis. Funeral on Monday, 3 o'clock, Cemetery, Blaina. Friends please accept this intimation. 950 MOGGITIDGE. -August 24th,' 1891, at Lossiemouth, N.B., while rescuing a boy from drowning, the Rev Matthew Weston Moggridge, Priest-in-Chanre, of Dufftown. N.B., eldest and only surviving son of the late Matthew Moggridge, J.P., of Wooafield, Mon- mouthshire, and 8, Bina-gardens, South Kensington, London. Aged 53. 920 REES.—On the 27th inst., at Maesyffynon, AHerdare, Dan Clifford, the youngest son of William Thomas Rees aged 3 years. RuSSELL.-Augitst 25th, at Maesycwmmer, Elizabeth Russell, late of Machen aged 86.

LEGALLY, BUT NOT LOGICALLY, GUILTY. IN our yesterday's issue, we reported a case in whielf two men were charged with wilfully breaking two plate-glass windows. They made no attempt to deny what they had done, but having failed to satisfy the court that they had been tempted by poverty to commit the offence, one of them pleaded that he had as much right to destroy property when circumstances not brought about by himself forced him to do it as that the law should pass sentence upon him without his having any voice in making the law. He admitted that he might be legally guilty, but denied that he was logically guilty. Most persons will consider this an extraordinary defence for a prisoner to set up. We should like to know how it wonld be received by an ordinary jury, and it is highly probable that an opportunity will shortly be given for ascertaining this, as the prisoners have been committed for trial. We fear that society would soon break up or go to pieces if logic alone were to be appealed to in our criminal courts. At the best there is not much logic in our laws, and as there are millions of people who have not had any hand whatever in making or re- pealing a single law upon the statute book, the country would not be long in running into all sorts of riot if no one could be punished who could furnish evidence that he had had no hand whatever in making the laws. It is obvious, then, that the plea urged by the window-breaker cannot be accepted, and yet the argument is not altogether absurd. It is quite true that, generally speaking, the laws must be obeyed by all inhabitants of the country without exception, and none but a mischief-maker or lunatic would argue to the contrary, but it is equally true that many of our laws, if not the whole of them, should be submitted afresh to the people's Parliament to receive popular sanction. We admit that in the meantime the laws should be enforced, but there can be no doubt of the propriety and sound policy of having them gradually revised so as to make them just. We might take the Game Laws as an illustration. We con- sider the Government bound to submit to a popularly elected Parliament the poaching laws, which were evidently made by land- lords in their own interests, without the slightest consideration for the claims or rights of the people as a whole. The princi- pie that people should be bound to obey laws only when they have con- sented to obey them is not altogether absurd or ridiculous. Under a despotic Government the despot makes and enforces whatever laws he may choose to promulgate, but where the people maintain and possess the right to govern themselves, as little delay as possible should be allowed between the extension of the franchise to the people and a thorough revision of the laws. For this reason we think that the working classes should submit to their associations and societies as many reforms or amendments in the laws as they may deem necessary so as to deal fairly with all ranks and classes. With regard to laws generally, it is more than high time for the legislature to take them in hand. While we cannot admit that a man has a right to break a pane of glass because he had no hand in making those laws which make the destruction of our neighbours' property a punishable offence, it is very hard that people should be liable to be punished for what ought not to render any one liable to a penalty, and harder still is it that any one should be punished for breaking a LAW which cannot be proved to have been made. Many cases come before our courts in which there are differences of opinion as to what the law has decided, and lawyers of the highest standing are sometimes opposed to each other in their opinions upon the question. In such cases it is monstrous to condemn as guilty and liable to fine or imprisonment a person who has never studied law and who cannot be responsible for committing an offence when the law itself speaks with an uncertain sound. Allowing that every one should be held bound to obey the law, it is I. only fair that the law itself should be set forth in terms so clear and intelligible that no ordinary person could break it without knowing that he was doing something which would inevitably render him liable to punishment.

THE LAITY OUSTING THE CLERGY. AN article on the Nationalisation of the Cathedrals in the Contemporarg Review for September by H. W. MASSINGHAM will well repay perusal. It proves very clearly that the teaching in our great Universities is rapidly slipping out of the hands of the clergy and falling into the hands of distinguished lay- men. And why is this ? Simply because the chairs are thrown open to competition. Time was when Holy Orders was the pass- port to any such position in a University, and, therefore, the work was done by a minority of men of real scholarship and ability, and a majority to whom even the grossest flattery would scarcely have ascribed any qualification at all. So recently as fifty years ago the control of the English Universities placed in the hands of the clergy nearly the whole of the learning and the educational work of the country. Fellows of Colleges were nearly all clergy- men. The schoolmasters were mostly clergymen. But what do we find now 1 Of forty-two Professors at Cambridge only nine are clergymen, and six of these may be considered teachers of divinity. Another illustration furnished by the writer of the article in question is equally remarkable. In England and Wales, he says, there are fourteen pro- fessors of history attached to the Univer- sities of Cambridge, Oxford, and London, and the various University Colleges. Only two of these are clergymen. But if this be a correct view of the case, what is gained by handing over to the clergy a large proportion of the elementary schools of the country ? It is evident that the clergy hold their own only when they have no one outside their own ranks to compete with. Put then on an equal footing with the laity, and they are beaten in the race. The Church is not maintaining its prestige in having distinguished scholars in its high places. Even those who go up to the House of Lords seem to sit there unable to do anything but to go occasionally into the unpopular lobby. The honours bestowed upon them and the stipends by which they are enriched far exceed any benefit they confer upon the country or any lustre which they shed upon their office.

SOUTH WALES NOTES. lBY COSMOS.] A RADICAL REFORM. ALTHOUGH the system of circuits has long been out of date, and a radical change was recommended as long ago as 1872 by some of the leading judges and lawyers in the country, no practical step has yet been taken to set up a better system. I am, therefore, glad to see that Mr Pitt-Lewis, M.P., has at last grappled with the situa- tion, and drafted a Bill which is calculated to bring about a better state of things. Its provisions are numerous and comprehensive, but the leading feature is a proposal to establish permanent district -courts through the country, not unlike the present county courts, but with this vital difference that their jurisdiction is to be unlimited. They are, in fact, to be branches of the High Court in London, and actions of every kind will be heard in them instead of being, as now, either tried in London or at long intervals at the assizes. The present County Court judges are to receive the first appointments to these new courts, their salaries being raised to :£2,500. The district judges are also to be eligible for promotion to the High Court in London. The addi- tional expense would be met by a reduc- tion in the number of superior judges, who would cease to go circuit and be able to sit continuously in London. The advantages of such a reform are very obvious, and it now only remains for the public to press for its adoption. A WESLEYAN SYSTEM. MR Pitt-Lewis's Bill contains several other novel provisions, one of which has been borrowed from the Wesleyans. He proposes: that the judges shall change their districts every three years, in order to avoid any danger j of local interests swaying the Bench. This is a very important suggestion, and might usefully be extended. It is a grievance to solicitors that their success should depend J so much on the goodwill of an individual j judge as it does at present. A young man I who happens to offend his connty-court judge at his first appearance is practically J ruined as far as his advocacy IS concerned, I while one who succeeds in getting on the i blind side of the judge is a made man. Moreover, a judge who lives long in a district is apt to come under the influence I of local party prejudices, however impartial he may strive to be. TO PREVENT RAIN. WHEN the Yankees were experimenting for the purpose of producing rain I pointed out that in this country we required a method to stop excessive moisture. What the Ameri- cans never dreamt of an ingenious French- man is undertaking. In a district of France I there have been a number of destructive t storms, which have caused great injury I to the crops and vineyards. The director 1 of a local observatory has an idea that he can avert these disasters. With this view he has erected on the hills round the unfortunate neighbourhood a series of high poles surmounted with metallic caps, and connected with wires. The theory is that these circuits will lessen the electrical tension of the, clouds, which are supposed to be the authors of the mischief. His plan is simple, but will it be effective ? Pre- suming the latter, will it be necessary to take down the poles to secure wet ? The old proverb has it that it never rains but it pours. The Gallic scientist evidently only intends to prevent the pouring, but not the rain. There is not much difference between the two to a man who is not an agriculturist. AGRICULTURAL GRANTS. MAJOR CRAIGLE was for many years secre- tary of the Chamber of Agriculture, but latterly he has been promoted to be a director of the Education Department of the Board of Agriculture, and in this capacity has issued a report on the distribution of grants to agricultural and dairy schools in Great Britain. This report details the work of this department for the past 12 months. Although the amounts at the disposal of the board are small the results achieved are per- fectly satisfactory. Thirteen bodies received the sum of :£1,945 for dairy teaching, and agricultural experiments were encouraged to the extent of :£835. Altogether the board advanced £4,840 in grants. The Bath and West and other societies received a large share of the grants, but owing to the large develop- ment of the agricultural department of the North Wales Collegiate scheme, and the starting of a new Collegiate centre in York- shire, their supremacy will soon be seriously threatened with a more extended system of examination for pupils, who may be capable of acting as teachers, is considered advisable, and the Board of Agriculture is thinking of drafting a scheme which will be adopted if the leading agricultural societies will support it. AN ANTIDOTE TO THE PUBLIC HOUSE. THE Methodist Times has some very sensible remarks upon the recent Eisteddvod. The matters to which it calls attention have frequently been ventilated in this column, I but my suggestions—especially as regards reading-rooms—have been received by the teetotal party with nothing but derision. The journal in question says :— It seems a pity that a. sum of £25 should be offered for an ode to the sun. Practical Welsh- men consider an ode to the sun all moonshine! In the Welsh valleys thousands of colliers are getting drunk and going to the bad because the public- house is the only resort open to them. The cause of morality and decency suffers from the fact that no bath-rooms are attached to the cottages, and the men have to get into their tubs in presence of the whole family, no second room being avail- able as a rule. If the £25 prize was offered for an essay upon the necessity of providing a free reading-room in connection with every place of worship in a colliery district, and a bath-room to each house, the sun would not be at all offended, and the people on this earth would be consider- ably better, cleaner, and happier. I ZINGARI AT TREDEGAR PARK. LORD TREDEGAR'S new cricket ground, which was opened yesterday by a match between I Zingari and Monmouthshire C. and G., is prettily situated at the back of his house. When it is is completed by the insertion of a corner, which is at present not available, it will be one of the best grounds in the county. The turf is excel- lent, and as smooth and full of herbage as a lawn. The wicket dried very rapidly yes- terday, and allowed a full day's play, although it was under water on Thursday. His lordship most liberally entertained the teams and several friends to luncheon in a marquee which had been erected under the shadow of some magnifi- cent trees. Among the guests were Mr J. Baldwin, of Chepstow, who, if not the founder, was one of the original mem- bers of I Zingari when it was formed, 50 years since. The old gentleman, notwithstanding the weight of more than four-score years, took as keen an interest in the game as any schoolboy, and apparently would, on the slightest provocation, have volunteered to play had his services been required. The match was very evenly con- tested, and neither side could claim to have much advantage. However, Lord Tredegar's profuse hospitality is not conducive to good cricket. Late hours do not contribute to accuracy of eye or steadiness of hand, and a recherche repast is too much of a tempta- tion for a batsman. THE BENCH AND THE BREWERS. THE Newport magistrates yesterday held their adjourned meeting on the licensing question, at which the exhaustive report furnished by the chief of police as to the structural condition of public houses, the conditions under which tied houses were held, etc., were set forth at length. Every- body expected that, backed by a famous recent judicial decision, as well as by a rapidly-growing public opinion, the magis- trates would have risen to the dignity of the occasion. This was especially expected after the very strong pronouncement made by different speakers at the original meeting. It now appears that the magistrates are alarmed at what they have done. Like the naughty boy who did the chalking up and then ran away, the magistrates are cowed at the outcry which "the trade" has made. At the original meeting they invited the attendance of the Press, and their glowing periods were given to the reading public of the district. Yester- day, the chairman of the licensing com- mittee prompted the Mayor to declare that the deliberations were private. How in- tensely private these were will be gauged from the fact that each member was apparently sworn to secrecy. No one wishes to see the publican unfairly pressed everyone would be glad if the brewers did not exact the well-nigh intolerable conditions contained in the agreements with tenants in their tied houses. The Newport magistrates might have given a valuable opinion on these points, but they clearly are not cast in the heroic mould. Men with some backbone would not have caved in so readily. THE IMMUNITY OF SHIPS FROM LIGHTNING. IN the old days of wooden ships lightning was much dreaded. An old skipper I knew used to gather his hands aft so that they should be out of the way of any iron. Where he would have gone for safety in a modern ship which is built of metal is diffi- cult to determine. Captain Drinklage, of the German Observatory, has published an interesting paper upon ships struck by lightning. From a scrutiny of log books he finds that from the year 1870 to 1889 only fourteen strokes were recorded out of a yearly total of 180 vessels. He accounts for this small percentage by the fact that most ships have wire rigging. The light- ning travels along the wire through the iron hull to the water.

THE IRISH CRISIS. STRUGGLE FOR THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL. TRIUMPH OF MR DWYER GRAY. In anticipation of the final poll of the share- holders of the Freeman's Journal in favour of Mr Dwyer Gray's change of policy from support to antagonism of Mr Parnell the tone of the Freeman on Friday morning was distinctly different, and it was easily perceivable that Mr Gray has control of the helm. In the leading article, the Freeman states there is no reason why, out of the present apparent strife, national peace of a durable character should not arise, an honourable and prosperous peace, conducive to the enhancement in value of the property of the shareholders and full of good to the cause of the people of Ireland. It is sanguine enough and trustful enough to harbour the belief that the present difference may soon be terminated by a solution creditable to all concerned. A meeting of shareholders in the Freeman's Journal Company was resumed in the Imperial Hotel, Dublin, on Friday. On the previous day the meeting had rejected a vote of confidence in the directors, proposed by Mr Timothy Harring- ton, M.P. Mr Gray's motion to increase the directorate or, if necessary, call for their removal was lost on a show of hands but a poll was called for, and the meeting adjourned until the following day. On Friday a scrutiny showed that for Mr Gray's motion there had voted eight shareholders, representing 57 votes, proxies 128, number of votes 15,296 in all, 136 snareholders and 15,290 votes. Against the resolution, 23 shareholders voted in person, representing 1,159 votes, and 19 proxies representing 1,196 votes—a total of 42 shareholders and 2,355 votes. — The resolution was therefore carried by a majority of 12,941 votes. — The Lord Mayor stated that, in view of the vote, he and his brother directors would only hold office until their successors were elected.—A point was then raised that under the articles of association 14 days' notice of intention to elect new directors had not been given. The Lord Mayor (as chairman) ruled the point well founded, and an adjournment for consultation took place. After the adjournment the Lord Mayor announced that a meeting of the shareholders would be held at an early date to elect new directors, and that in the meantime the present directors would continue to hold office.— Mr Clay, Mr Gray's solicitor, suggested that the present directors should resign one by one, and co-operate with some of Mr Gray's nominees. The Lord Mayor declined, and said the directors would not co-operate with men whose politics were at variance with their own. The Parnell Leadership Committee met in Dublin on Thursday night, and urged Mr Parnell to immediately start a new national independent paper, and thanking Jthe staff of the Freeman's Journal for their sturdy! and uncompromising stand in favour of Mr Parnell's leadership. The starting of a Young Ireland League was approved, and one speaker said it would tend to take Irishmen from the scourge of the Ecclesi- astics of the country. Mr Dwyer Gray was denounced as a turncoat and a traitor.

SIR EDWARD REED. We are glad to learn that Sir Edward Reed, K.C.B., M.P., is now much better, and yester- day was so far recovered from his indisposition as to be able to leave Porthkerry, where he had been the guest of Mr John Cory, J.P., for some davs, and return to London.

DEATH OF CANON CARUS. The death of Canon Carus on Thursday even- ing at Bournemouth is announced. Canon Carus, who was 87 years of age, had for some years lived in retirement at Bournemouth. Though he re- signed the incumbency of Christ Church, Win- chester, in 1870, he continued to act as Proctor in Convocation until 1880, and as Canon of Win- chester until 1885. Mr Carus came out as Seventh Wrangler (bracketed) in the Tripos which had the late Baron Cleasby, another Trinity man, near its head, and in the first class of the Classical Tripos, with Kennedy, Jarrett, Cleasby, and other fore- most men of that year. His University thrice placed him on the list of her select preachers. He was the author of two works well known to the Evangelical section of the Church, his "Memoirs of Charles Simeon" and his Memorials of Bishop Mcllvaine."

The Londcm Gazette last night announced that the Queen has appointed the president, council, and members of the Society of Arts to represent Great Britain and her colonies at the Chicago Exhibition.

j LONDON LETTER. [SPECIALLY WIRED.J l I [FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT, t I LONDON, Friday Evening. THE CHILIAN WAR. The game of cross questions and crooked answers is still being carried on by the re- presentatives of the two Chilian parties in this country, and even now it is not known, with any degree of certainty, what the posi- tion of affairs really is. The Chilian Legation was somewhat upset to- day by the categorical denial of their statement that the insurgents had capitulated, and in the absence of any further direct news there is evidently a fear among the representatives of the official party that Balmaceda may still be menaced by the Congressionists. These contradictory reports can be of no use for speculative purposes, for in the money market, nobody would think of touching Chilian concerns at any price. Any quota- tions which may be given are perfectly illusory, and represent no amount of business done. The great fear is that whichever side gains the day terrible reprisals will be taken on the defeated force. Balmaceda has already given a taste of his quality in this direction, and if he should hold his own his tender mercies towards the insurgents who submit will be cruel. It is difficult to see how any Power can interfere in this event. The revolutionists have not been recognised by any Power except Bolivia, which is not 1 worth mentioning, and the quarrel is purely internecine, and can be settled only by the victorious authorities. PROTECTION NEEDED FOR EUROPEANS. For the sake of the British and the Euro- pean population generally it is hoped that a sufficient fleet will assemble at Valparaiso to protect the fugitives. During the earlier days of the struggle some merchant ships did good service in this direction off Santiago. Thousands of refugees of all nationalities were sheltered for some weeks, but the only recognition of this humanity and the great expenditure involved was a formal visit from the Chilian Admiral, who returned thanks, but no recompense or even a promise to pay. One merchant captain, who has recently returned to Europe, is very anxious, he tells me, on this account, as the owners, an Amsterdam firm, are not too well pleased with the pari, he played. thoush d, IS difficult to else ne could have done, and he had enough worry and responsibility during the time in looking after excited and unruly company to entitle him to some con- sideration. THE "FREEMAN'S JOURNAL." It seems to be settled now that the Free- man's Journal has completely changed sides. Indeed after yesterday's meeting there could be no doubt as to the set of the tide. The question now is what is to be done both by the Parnellites and the Anti- Parnellites. The latter have now two papers, the Freeman and the National Press, and it would be folly for them to go on attempting to cut each other's throats. Amalgamation is talked of; and, on the other hand, it is understood that United Ireland, which Mr Parnell so valiantly captured with the aid of a crowbar, will without delay come out as a daily paper, taking over the members of the staff of the Freeman, who will resign along with the directors. SIR CHARLES RUSSELL. Sir Charles Russell, who has been taking the waters at Homburg during some weeks past, is credited with the intention of making a tour in America during the Parlia- mentary recess. The main object of the journey is to visit his sister, who is a member of ther Carmelite Order of Roman Catholic nufts, and superioress of a convent at San Francisco. It is stated that Sir Charles and his sister have not met since the lady took the veil in Ireland, upwards of thirty years ago. The hon. and learned member has benefited greatly by his visit to Hom- burg, and is in much better health than when he left England. One day last week he breakfasted with the Prince of Wales, who is also taking the waters there. CHICAGO'S EXHIBITION. The British Government has to-night officially recognised Chicago's Exhibition by the appointment by the Queen of the Council of the Society ol Arts to promote the success of the enterprise. The Queen says :—"As it is our wish that such exhibi- tion shall afford full and suitable represen- tation of the industry, the agriculture, and the fine arts in our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, our colonies and dependencies in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australasia, and that our sub- jects shall take part in such exhibition—" This will be very flattering to the United States. Sir Truman Wood, the secretary to the Society of Arts, leaves this country next month for America to make the preliminary arrangements for British exhibitors. BRITISH'BOOKMAKERS IN FRANCE. The turf commission agents at Boulogne are, it is stated, not to be dispersed after all, the French authorities having withdrawn the order prohibiting them from carrying on their business in France. The net result, so far as this country is concerned, will be nil, for Belgium would have been made the happy hunting ground of the commission agents." THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. The diocese of Rochester, which has practically had no bishop of its own avail- able for active work since last January, may soon hope to welcome back Dr Randall Davidson to the labours of the bishopric. His lordship is rapidly recovering from his prolonged illness in Scotland, and accord- ing to present arrangements the enthrone- ment of his lordship will take place about the first week in October, from which date Dr Randall Davidson hopes to re-commence his episcopal labours, which are still being carried out by„Bishop Barry and the Bishop of Gibraltar. OUR FAVOURITE PRINCESS. The neatness of the Princess of Wales's dresses is always admired at home, and it is interesting to learn that even at Cowes and Denmark her attention to her costume has been a subject of much favour- able comment. At Cowes her costume generally consisted of blue serge worn over a white or blue birdseye skirt or blouse with white collar and cuffs. It is needless to say that such a neat and appropriate costume was much admired. One of her latest costumes is a Redfern dress of white corduroy cloth, the coat of which has a collar turned back like a sailor's from the neck, and open in front, showing a white or coloured blouse. A tan leather belt en- circles the waist, while the gauntlet gloves and tan Russian boots are of the same shade. SIR JOHN GORST TO VISIT IRELAND. In connection with the inquiry of the Royal Commission on Labour, Sir John Gorst will probably pay a visit to Ireland during the recess, to study on the spot the special and peculiar labour questions which arise in that island. During part of the tour which he intends to make he will be accompanied by Mr Austin, the Irish labour representative on the Commission. ARTHUR SULLIVAN'S HOLIDAY. Sir Arthur Sullivan is not expected to return to London nntil the latter part of next month. During his long holiday since the production of Ivanhoe he has spent the greater part of his time recuperating in one or other of the health resorts of the Riviera,|and is at present in Aix- les Bains. There he follows the orthodox routine in mild fashion, and is no doubt acquiring energy for his winter's work. It is formidable enough to appal anyone whose powors of work are less vigorous. A comic opera for the Savoy, a serious work for the Royal English opera, in addition to sundry lighter tasks, await him, so that he is well advised in recruiting as much as possible in the meantime. HOME PRODUCTION OF WHEAT. From the annual summary of the agricultural returns for Great Britain, it appears that the average under wheat con- tinues to show a steady decline. This year, as compared with last year, shows a decrease of over three per cent., and as compared with 1891, of nearly 6 per cent. The acreage under hops this year shows an increase of over 4 per cent. On the other hand, cattle, and consequently root crops, have increased, the former being over 11 per cent. more than they were two years ago.

I A SUMMER TONIC.—Pepper's Quinine and Iron is a bracing, appetising, sustaining means of overcoming the depressing, weak, languid, weary symptoms prevailing at this season. Everyone below par, susceptible to disease germ, influenza, .&c ihould be taking Pepper's Quinine and Iron Ionic. 534"

I. THE BEDFORD RAILWAY I MYSTERY. The inquest on the girl Mitchell, who died from I a bullet wound inflicted in a train on August 7, I was opened at Bedford Infirmary on Friday morn- ing by Dr Prior, the borough corocsr. The bullet was found during the autopsy on Thursday em- bedded near the spine, and death resulted from blood poisoning, due to the internal injury caused by the passage of the bullet —The Coroner, in open- ing the case, said he thought the evidence pointed to suicide, and then examined the witnesses.— The first witness, Mrs Elizabeth Howlett, of 5, Bennett-street, St James's-street, Piccadily, identified the body as that of Lenore Mitchell, she having stayed with her for six or eight weeks in May and June. She came with a gentleman, and they passed as Mr and Mrs Mitchell. They used to drink a great deal—mostly brandy. She also took opium. After the accident deceased admitted that she shot herself. Mr Mitchell's real nams wasLardner.—Railway evidenceproved that deceased travelled first-class from Leeds, had a gentleman with her to Sheffield, and was thenceforward alone. She had spirits at Derby and Leicester, and at Bedford was found shot. When in the Infirmary deceased admitted to the surgeon that she shot herself. She signed the following declaration, which the jury insisted upon seeing:— Tuesday, August 11. I, Lenore Mitchell, declare that the pistol wound from which I am suffering is the act of my own hand, and I purchased the pistol in Scarborough, and I fired one shot; and I placed the pistol next my heart; but I had no particular reason for so doing. This was signed by Mr Colby Sharpin, surgeon in charge of the case, and Mr Menzies, the gentle- man of Leeds who travelled to Sheffield with the deceased. The bullet went right through the body, passing through the chest, liver, and stomach, and grazing the kidney and becoming ejnbedded behind the 11th rib. The jury debated whether to insist on the attendance of the two men associated with the deceased, but eventually returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound i mind." =============

THE WESTBOURNE PARK MYSTERY. On Friday Dr Diplock resumed his inquest at Kensington Town-hall, on the body of Mrs Clara Elizabeth Wynne, of Goldborne-road, North Kensington, wife of William Alexander Wynne, a dispenser, who is now under remand charged on suspicion with having caused her death. Mr Bore, solicitor, appeared for the accused, and Mr Freke Palmer represented the relatives of the deceased. Dr Thomas Stevenson, Government analyst, deposed that the contents of certain jars for- warded to him had been analysed. He found in the stomach sufficient traces of hydr»t» of chloral to show that it had been absorbed by deceased in large quantities. In a bottle handed to him there were traces of morphine. There had been cases in which a fatal dose of hydrate of chloral had been taken, but so rapidly absorbed as to leave smaller indica- tion than in this case. On a bottle discovered in the room where deceased was found dead was a label similar to one used by a recent employer of deceased's husband, at Greenwich. Witness could not swear that a fatal dose had been taken in this instance, but the quantity absorbed would render the woman less able to recover from the effects of loss of blood consequent on the wound in the head which was proved to have been in- flicted upon her. Mr Freke Palmer told the coroner that if he ebnsidered it pertinent a constable could be called to prove that, on a previous occasion, when an attempt was made to arrest Wynne, he took a bottle of chloral from his pocket and smashed ia, The Coroner said he did not consider that evidence relevant, and the jury intimated that sufficient testimony had been adduced as to Wynne's previous conduct to his wife. The Coroner summed up, and directed the jury that, according to the medical testimony, Mrs Wynne had met her death feloniously. The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against William Alexander Wynre, against whom magisterial proceedings will be resumed to-day (Saturday).

GORED TO DEATH BY A BULL. INTELLIGENT CART HORSES. Mr H. Churton, district coroner, held an inquest at the Shrewsbury Arms, Little Bud- worth, near Northwich, on Thursday, on -the body of a farm servant named Hugh Slack. The evidence adduced showed that the deceased was employed as cowman on the Criksides Farm, Little Budworth, and that in the course of his duties he drove a number of cows with a young bull flom a field to the shippon. While tying the cows in their stalls the Dull returned to the field. Slack following. Some time after- ward, the farmer, finding that his servant had not returned from the field, set out to look for him. He, however, met the missing animal returning to the farm alone, and concluded that his servant had missed it. On reaching the bottom of the enclosure, he notioed four cart- horses with bowed heads, standing in < singular position, and on reaching them discovered the cowman lying on his side unable to move. He was quite conscious, and informed his employer that the bull had attacked him, gormg and trampling upon him, and but for the cart-horses, who came up and drove the infuriated beast away, he must have been killed outright. Medical aid having been called in, it was ascer- tained that the poor fellow's ribs were nearly all broken, and after lingering for three hours he died.—The coroner considered the case one of misadventure, and the jury returned a verdict of Accidental death."

ROMANTIC SUICIDE OF A GOVERNESS. A distressing suicide has occurred at Buckle- bury Vicarage, in the Newbury Division of Berk- shire, the deceased being a young Swiss lady named Ida Baud, engaged as governess in the family of the Rev. Robert Kewley. She had been somewhat out of health recently, and it is sup- posed that a love affair with a countryman of hers unsettled her mind. The deceased was found hanging by a rope which had been attached to a picture-rod, and when the discovery was made she was quite dead. She had got upon a chest of drawers to commit the rash act. Mdlle. Baud had been in Mr Kewley's service about six months, and every possible kindness had been shown to her, in fact, she had been treated as a member of the family. At the inquest, held before Mr Pinniger, of Newbury, evidence was given by a servant named Tegg, and also by the vicar and Mrs Kewley, the latter narrating various state- ments deceased had made in reference to the Swiss gentleman to whom she bad been engaged. The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.

THE SALVATION ARMY AT EASTBOURNE. The Salvation Army disturbances were the subject of a stormy discussion at a meeting of the Eastbourne Watch Committee yesterday. The Chief Constoble complained that he was un. duly fettered in his efforts to suppress the rowdyism of the mob, and several committee men urged that the nominal penalties imposed upon the roughs only encouraged the latter in their lawlessness. The Mayor, who justified the active opposition of the crowd, took umbrage at certain remarks that were made, and hurriedly left the meeting with the threat that he would resign his office.

OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA. Diphtheria has broken out in an alarming form in North Essex. At Elindon, near Saffron Walden, five children, named Adams, belonging to one family, have succumbed to the disease within a week. The last child, aged 11 years, died at the Saffron Walden Infirmary on Friday. Another little girl belonging to the same family ia lying in a critical condition.

OLD RAILWAY SERVANTS. Bullock, the guard of the three o'clock train from Paddington to the West 01 England—the Zulu express, as it is called—is one of the oldest travelling officials in the employment of the Great Western Railway Company, having entered their service 47 years ago. Though within three years of David's allotted span, Bullock is as active and energetic as a man of 30; and his never-failing civility and good humour have won for him popularity all along the line. During the Railway Rates inquiry at West- minster Town-hall, the London and North. Western Railway Company produced as one of their witnesses an old servant of Messrs Pickford and Co., who had been over half a century in the carrying business, and who remembered Camden Station when the carriers delivered the good. without shelter direct on to the railway com- pany's open trucks. In the rush and bustle of railway life a man must have a good constitution to be hale and hearty at three score and ten..

NEW HOTEL FOR SOUTHERNDOWN. A project i# on foot to provido the above watering-place with a long-felt requirement, < first-class hotel and family boarding house. A site has been chosen near the junction of theroadslead- ing to thebeach and the upper part of the village, and the hotel, a three-storey building, will provide for the privacy of theresident visitor and theliauntsof the general public. Ornamental grounds, and tennis com ts wili be formed, and ample stabling room provided. It is intended to apply for the transfer of an existingbeerlicenoo, ana, further, to ask the magistrates to grant a wine and spirit licence.

Messrs Idris & Co., the well-known mineral water makers, of Kentish-town, ha.ve just had the high honour conferred upon them of being appointed purveyors of mineral waters to hei Most Gracious Majeetv the Queen. The firm has been awarded the gold medal at the Jamaica exhibition for the excellency of their waters. They are now building new premises in Camden, town, which will be, on completion, the largest and best appointed factory in the world. LADDERS. -Ladders for builders, painters, plaw torers, farmers, private use, &c., all sizes, at CottrelT* old-established Manufactory, Boxes-st,. Bristol. 1164