Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

l-íûncrn vvcKonbrat. j <V»m reV, to st-fte that wo ar-t r.t all tur. 1 Identify „i3c' es *iO. tun- i orr^s,s opinions..] | The fact that the two first Drawing Rooms of the season have been held by the Princess of Wales on behalf of her Majesty reminds us that the local in- convenient caused by the Jent of twelve months ago, has not yet disappeared. For many years past the Levees have been presided over by the Prince of Wales but whenever the Queen's health has per- mitted, her Majesty has held the Drawing Rooms in person. In either case the presentation to the Prince or Princess of Wales is regarded as equivalent to presentations to the Sovereign; indeed, this is always expressly stipulated in the official notices which appear in the London Gazette. A Drawing Room, at which ladies alone are received, is held by the Queen or the Princess of Wales, invariably at Buckingham Palace, her Majesty's former residence in London; the Heir Apparent holds the Levees at the Palace of St. Javjies's, not far off. What is known as a Court is presided over only by the Sovereign herself, for the reception of both ladies and gentlemen, and it. is the rule for this to take place at Buckingham Palace. A vi ry good idea of the great variety of life in London is furnished on a fine spring afternoon, when < & D 'awing Room or a Levee is being held. jPc* i :I\Ç, thèaftyn of Friday, the 14th inst., _}Ice8s of Whiles held a Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, rfcct in its way. No damp ground, a pleasant br.. and bright sunshine-such were che condition-s a^veeable hour in the Royal park of St. James's, where the rees and shrubs were ready to burst forth in early and premature vegeta- tion. A great crowd assembled in the hope of seeing the Princess as her Royal Highness was driven from Marlborough House to the palace, and then, of course, there was the long line of ladies in their open carriages who had come to pay their respects to the Queen's representative. And it was a respectable orderly multitude, the component parts of which could obviously spend an afternoon thus with- out feeling that they were making a sacrifice of time, which, to a large proportion of Londoners, means money. All this time there was no diminution of traffic in the great arteries of the capital, no lessening of the crowds ever pouring across the bridges, travel- ling in the underground railways, or making thoir way in steamboats up and down the rapid tide of the Thames. The absence of the Prime Minister from his place in the House of Commons for a week through ill- ness so early in the session has, as was inevitable, given rise to much political speculation in con- templating eventualities. One night last week there were the wildest rumours in the lobby. Not only was Mr. Gladstone unable to be present but the questions addressed to two other Cabinet Ministers—Mr. Chamberlain and Sir Charles Dilke—had to be answered by the Parliamentary secretaries of their departments, because of the absence of the chiefs. It was known that Sir Charles Dilke had had an interview with Mr. Gladstone the same afternoon, ill as the Premier was. Therefore the lobby gossips put this and that together. Three Cabinet Ministers away from their posts; the Premier not at a council held two days previously in his own house; Mr. Chamberlain had suddenly left London for Birmingham- what could it all mean but a break-up ? It does not take much to magnify a trifling lobby rumour into a monstrous canard; and such was the case on the present occa- sion. At the same time, there is little doubt that Mr. Gladstone, who has now lived in the world three-quarters of a century, is weary of official life, and longs for rest. No one would be surprised at his retirement from a harassing and thankless post, which is held under conditions widely different from those of fifty or even twenty years ago. The descriptions ot the latest engagements which Generals Sir Gerald Graham and Sir Redvers Buller have had with the Arabs amply testify to the bravery and skill of these gallant foes. As a race of men they seem immensely superior to the Egyptians, from whose rule they have revolted, and of whose behaviour at Tel-el-Kebir we have had graphic descriptions from Lord Wolseley. It 11 ppears in- evitable that Great Britain, with her vast-spreading empire, and her complicated interests all over the globe, shall be constantly inflicting chastisement on some barbarian antagonist. Within five years we have been at war with the Zulus, the Afghans, the Boers, the rebel Egyptians, and the Soudanese Arabs. That gives an average of a little war once in every twelve months. Endless are the applied results of charity and bene- volence in a giant community like that of London. An hour spent at the annual meeting of the Tempo- rary Home for Lost and Starvirt Dogs, which was held in Jermyn-street one day last week, would have amply illustrated this. The report stated that last year 14,687 dogs were received into the institution, of which 1985 had been restored to their owners, while 2188 were placed in new homes. A question was asked as to what became of the remainder, an undisposed-of balance of more than ten thousand vagrants. It was explained that these, being mongrels for the greater part, such as no one would receive into a house, had to be destroyed. The death was instantaneous and painless. Should this rate of destruction be continued many years, the ranks of the prowling dogs of London will in course of time become perceptibly thinned. An institution similar to the Dogs' Home would be much appreciated in Constantinople. Thousands of these wretches scour the streets of that capital at night, making the most hideous noises whilst in search of food. Baroness Burdett-Coutts had been announced to preside at this meeting, but a letter was read from her ladyship, in which she explained that by the advice of Sir William Jenner she kept to her house, a severe cold having prevented her from fulfilling this as well as other engagements. We have been so accustomed year after year to hear and read of the munificence of this wealthy lady and of the interest which she takes in all good works, that Time has imper- ceptibly crept upon her, and many will be sur- prised to hear that in another month she will have completed her seventieth year. The vast amount of good which she has endeavoured to effect in the cause of a long and useful life it would be impossible to estimate in anything like a cursory glance at her benefactions. But all who know anything of the benevolence of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts will sincerely hope that her indisposi- tion is but temporary, and that she may be spared many days for the prosecution of those deeds of charity in which she has so long delighted. The genial spring weather has been grateful enough to those octogenarians who were so tried by the bitter winds of this time twelve months. It makes all the difference when they are enabled to move about in the soft south wind, and in the brilliant sunshine which has been tenderly compared to the meeting of heaven and earth. Lord Shaftes- bury has been as active as ever, and no one, to listen to the metallic ring in his voice, would take the veteran philanthropist to be 82 years of age. That was a happy thought of Lord Mayor Fowler to give a dinner in the noble earl's honour at the Man- sion House. For half a century has Lord Shaftesbury been pleading the cause of the classed who cannot "plead for themselves, and while many a.ve criticised his mode of procedure, there are none to deny the earnestness and enthusiasm which have always been thrown into the work. The scene at the Royal ictoria Coffee Palace in the Waterloo-road on Saturday evening, when Weston the pedestrian completed his mammoth walk of SOOt) miles was one of much enthusiasm, and will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it. When the task was finished, a public meeting was held, over which Dr. Norman Kerr presided. Speeches were delivered by Dr. B. W. Richardson, Canon Duckworth, and others who have taken an interest in this wonderful test of the values of an application of temperance principles to a walk which could it have been straight across the Atlantic, would have taken Weston far beyond the ranges of the Rocky Mountains.

A SINGULAR EXPERIENCE. It is not often that a passenger could be blown from a foot-platform of a fast train going at full speed, be landed at the bottom of a deep embankment, and live to relate his sensations. An American, we read in the Xew York Herald, has, however, experienced an accident of this kind, without any more serious results than a rather severe sl iakiiilg, with some shock to the nervous system. lie was travelling between Philadelphia and New York when he had this almost miraculous escape from instant death. Whilst the train was proceeding on its way, find- ing the smoking car too cold for his comfort, he stepped over to another; and this not suiting him, he again changed his car, or rather in- tended to do so, but the wind interfered. He had stepped on to the platform in order to find quarters more to his liking, when a violent gust caused him to raise his hand to keep his hat on. As lie did this he was carried away by the wind, and whirled into a ditch, the other passengers, who saw the body Hying through the air, thinking that a man walking on the line had just been struck by the en- gine. The train was brought to a standstill, and the missing passenger, a person of small stature and slight build, recovered. He was dazed by the fall, but, marvellous to say, had neither broken bones nor in- juries severe enough to prevent him from continuing his journey, in the course of which he related to those who had witnessed the accident the peculiar sensations lie experienced as lie was whirled through the air.—Evening Standard.

WIFE MURDER IN IRELAND. At the Ivildare Assizes on Saturday David M'Con- naughtv. a farmer, was put on his trial, charged with the murder of his wife, at Graigue, on the 17th of December. After the trial had proceeded for some time it was discovered that one of the jurors was fast asleep. Lord Justice Fitzgihbon ordered him out of the box. and fined him £ 10. A new jury was then empannelled, and the case was resumed. The pri- soner's two children were the chief witnesses against him, and it appeared in evidence that the unfortunate woman went into Naas market on the morning of the 17th of Dec. to purchase some small articles and two suits of clothes, one for her husband, and another for her boy. On her way home in the evening she stopped at the house of a friend for about an hour, and her daughter went home with her. Her husband was out when she returned, but came in shortly afterwards and accused her of having been in the company of one Pat Malone. He called her a liar when she told him it was her daughter Ellen who had seen her home, and then knocked her down and kicked her. She ran into the bedroom, but lie followed, and threw her down again, and eventually she was left in such a condition that she died the next morning. The prisoner was found guilty, but recommended to mercy. Being asked by the Judge what he had to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, he stated that his wife had been one of the best of wives and he knew nothing about her death until the morning following it. He was very drunk at the time, but of course that was no excuse, and lie must submit to the law and was willing to do so. The Judge sentenced him to death, and his execution was fixed for the 15th of April.

THE NAVY ESTIMATES. The navy estimates for the ensuing year, after deducting appropriations in aid. amount to 1-10,811,770, which is a net decrease of £ 87,730, that is including in the vote for -1883-84 the supplementary estimate for Egypt of 1:147,200. For the effective service the amount is S8,008,970, and the non-effective is £ 2,071,900. On the net estimate there are the following in- creases Wages to seamen, £3;\500; Admiralty office, £ 0300; coastguard service, Sll,-K) dockyards, £ 12,200 medical establishments, £1500; naval stores, £ 52,000; new works, £ 19,300 medicines, £ 19(X); military pensions, X12,700 total; £ 142,500. The decreases are Victuals and clothing, £ 69,700; machinery and ships built by contracts, £ 12,600; miscellaneous services, half pay, £ 10.900; for conveyance of troops, £ 104,(500; and other items, making the total £ 230,230, or a net decrease as stated, of £87,730. The total force in the fleet and coastguard service is placed at 56,950, a reduction of 300 men on the number voted last year. The armoured tonnage to be built in the dockyards during 1884-85 amounts to 10,500 tons, and the un- armoured to 5,555 tons --total, 16,055 tons, as com- pared with the latest estimates for the current year of 16.099 tons. The tonnage weight of hull intended to be built by contract amounts to 4624 tons.

CONCLUSION OF WESTON'S 5000 MILES' WALK. On Saturday evening, amidst considerable enthu- siasm Weston brought U the extraordinary attempt to cover 5000 miles in 100 days to a successful issue at the Victoria Palace, Waterloo-road, London. The task, which was undertaken under the auspices of the Church of England Temperance Society in the in- terests of temperance and science, commenced as far back as November 21 last year. The conditions were that for 100 consecutive days, excluding Sundays and Christmas Day, lie was to walk 50 miles within each 24 hours, and under no circumstances to enter a vehicle of any kind, but to perform the whole journey, with its attendant incidental exercise on foot. The distance might he covered either on the high roads or in enclosures, at his pleasure, and to ensure his carrying out the conditions to the letter, two gentle- men, Lieutenant Henry J. Chalke and Mr. Her- bert Jewell, were deputed to accompany him constantly, and to act as judges and referees. Commencing his task, as before stated on November 21, Weston, followed by his companions in a carriage, started on a tour through England, the route taken and the mileage of each journey having been first ascertained and settled from the Ordnance Survey Department. One of the understood prin- cipal objects for which this unparalleled walk was commenced and finished was to show what immense physical and mental exertion may be undergone by anyone without the aid of stimulants of any sort, and it cannot be doubted that^as far as Weston is con- cerned he has proved his case, for his well-known abstinence principles were carried out strictly through the whole of his journey. The only way in which he used strong liquor was to rub his feet with whisky for hardening purposes. His manner of life throughout his performance has been uni- formly simple. Rising about six o'clock in the morning, he would eat a substantial breakfast of oatmeal porridge, and then commence his walk, which was kept up without intermission till five o'clock in the evening, when he allowed himself three-quarters of an hour for rest, after which he con- tinued and finished his day's task. His lunch at about eleven o'clock consisted of coffee and toast, while his dinner which lie had would eat while on the move (when practicable) at about 2.30, was generally mutton broth and beef, the latter meat being that selected for his evening meal. Instead of losing fiesh in the course of his extended peregrinations lie has gained upwards of 21b. weight since the early part of January. During Saturday lie was played to by the band of the Coffee Palace and that of the Guards. Every now and then he would mention to the musi- cians his desire to do a quick mile, when a lively quick step was played for him, during which he would make a spurt round the track, ending up without showing any evidence of distress. It had been announced that between nine o'clock and 9.30 he was expected to finish, and long before that time the hall was crowded with a congratulatory audience, while the stage was occupied with a large number of ladies and gentlemen prominently connected with the temperance movement and many eminent medical men. On reaching his 4997th mile Weston announced amid great enthusiasm that he would endeavour to to make the 4999th the fastest he had done during his whole journey. On reaching the period named he proved himself thoroughly capable of making his promise good, for after a grand spurt Canon Duck- worth, who held the watch, declared the mile to have been covered in 9 mins. 17 sees. The 5000th and last mile was done more easily, the pedestrian taking the opportunity of assuming his coat and hat, and finished the greatest walk ever known at 9.32. The result was received with tumultuous and enthusiastic cheering which almost drowned the band's performance of 'Yankee Doodle." Dr. Norman Kerr then congratulated Weston on 11 the successful completion of a stupendous enterprise which had been begun, carried on, and ended under great diiffculties. Dr. Wr. B. Richardson, who was called upon to speak to the physiological bearing of Weston's pedes- trian experience, said the feat which had just been ac- complished was entirely new in the history of the world. When first proposed he had some doubt of its propriety, as any accidental failure would have dis- credited the principle that total abstinence from stimulants was the best guarantee for endurance, but now all friends of temperance were extremely satisfied that the feat had been done of a man walking for four months at the rate of fifty miles a day without having the least resort to what the people of this country had for centuries believed to be a stamina! support for all mankind. All might be satisfied now that stimulants were perfectly useless for sustaining great physical effort, whether under tropical heat or polar cold. He, in the interests of medical science, had been watching Weston for the last week, and Mr. Green, a most accomplished observer, had never left Weston, recording his pulse, breathing, weight and height, and every circumstance that could ultimately be of use in making this great experiment of benefit to the world. The conclusion was that he was in a perfectly healthy condition both of body and of mind, and if examined for insurance would be returned as a first-class life. Nothing in the shape of fatigue or strain of any sort was apparent, and that was to be attributed to his hav- ing lived so perfectly healthy and natural a life during this long period of exertion, and to his having taken nothing which had strained the heart or confused the brain or interfered with the natural process of waste. Such a feat could not be done on beer, wine, or stimu- lants, unless in such small quantities as not to produce their characteristic physiological disturbance, when, of course, it would be a cheat. Weston was not a remarkably strong man, and had nothing peculiar about him and* though his body alKl limbs were admirably constructed, there was nothing massive or powerful in his build. He owed his success, there- fore, to the method in which he bad carried out his work. The procedings soon afterwards terminated, but a large crowd assembled outside the hall to cheer Weston as he left for home.

————.————————— 'iV) + {r II. HI i sal 1 a nxaus J nielli gent*. HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. THE Voi.i'X"PEERS.—The annual return of the voluu teer corps of Great Britain for 1883, just issued as a Parliamentary paper, shows that the total number enrolled in that year (209,365) was the highest in the history of the force. The number of efficients was 2!)2,428, as against 199,374 in 1882, and 200,162 in 1881 (the largest number previously recorded), and the per- centage of efficients to enrolled was D6'69 against 9'JT6, and 60-08 in the two previous years, and the percentage of men present at inspection to enrolled was also higher than ever before. PlllCES OF PROVISIONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.—The following will give some idea of the colonial prices of provisions, which, as a rule, are of good (itiility lvheat, per bushel, 5s. 6d. to 6s. 6d.; bread, per lb., ljd. to 2d. flour, first, per cwt., 14s., second, per cwt., 12s. rice, per lb., 3Jd.; tea, per lb., Is. (xl. to 2s. 6d.; sugar, per lb., 3d. to 4d.; coffee, per lb., Is. 6d.; meat, fresh, per lb., 4d. to 9d. meat, salt, per lb., 4d. to 7d.; butter, fresh, per lb., Is. 6d.; butter, salt, per lb., Is. 3d.; cheese, English, per lb., Is. 6d. cheese, Colonial, per lb., ûd. to Is. 3d.; potatoes, per cwt., 7s.; wine, Colonial, per gal., Is. (hI. to (is.; beer, Colonial, per gal., 2s.; candles, per lb., 5d. to 6d. kerosene oil, per gal., 2s. 4d. tobacco, per lb., 2s. 4d. to 3s. 6d. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—On Saturday morning damage to the extent of X40,000 was done by a fire, which com- pletely gutted the extensive works of the Midland Hosiery Company, at New Basford, near Nottingham. The conflagration, which was the largest witnessed in the neighbourhood for many years past, commenced in a cellar and spread rapidly to the top storey, floor after floor falling in with heavy valuable machinery, till at five o'clock the building was a complete wreck. Over 500 workmen are rendered idle by the fire. AN INCIDENT IX THE lfl-E OF MR. SEWARD.—AN evening journal says that a Mrs. Salmon P. Grover, of Springwater, N.Y., who died a few days ago, once saved the life of William H. Seward. When he was a young man studying law in Auburn, he and a coloured servant drove into the Owasco creek to wash his carriage. The carriage was upset and both were thrown into the water. The coloured man being able to swim soon got out, but Mr. Seward was left struggling in the water. Mrs. Grover, seeing him from the chamber window of a house close by, rushed out, seized a board, and pushed it within his reach and thus saved him. AWKWARD FOR THE LADIES.—On Friday night in last week an untoward incident led to the rapid retreat of the occupants of the Ladies' Gallery of the House of Commons. Owing to some defect in the main pipe which supplies this part of the building with water, a portion of the gallery was deluged, and after nine te(I o'clock the space appropriated to the lady visitors was limited to the corner of the gallery over the Opposition front bench. The flood penetrated to the rooms under- neath, causing some temporary inconvenience, but assistance being promptly forthcoming the water did not enter the House itself. A VAST SALT BED.—The Anglo-American Times" says that part of the track of the Southern Pacific Rail- road is laid with blocks of crystal taken from the vast bed of salt about fifty miles in length, to which a branch runs. The sea once rolled over the spot, which is now 260 feet below its level, and in drying up left this salt mine, inexhaustible in quantity and superb in quality. Grasshoppers of enormous size and giant centipedes p have been here pickled in the chloride of sodium, and are to-day after the lapse of centuries in full size and perfection of shade, as effectually settled in substance as Lot's wife. This vast salt bed will be very valuable to the reducers of ores in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, who can be supplied in boundless quantities. EXPLORATION IN MADAGASCAR.—The prevalent. idea that the whole interior of Madgasear is clothed with immense forests must give way before the recent ex- plorations of M. Grandidier, a young French explorer, which have recently been communicated to the French Academy of Sciences. Grandidier finds that the whole eastern part of the island is covered with a tract of highlands, extending over some two-thirds of it. These hills lise to a height of 7000ft. or 8000ft., and are inter- sected by narrow glens and dried up lake beds. They are bare of trees, and for the most part covered with coarse herbage. The western part of the island is a plain, covered with grass or tufts of trees. A belt of timber encircles the whole island near the coast, and trees and grasses fringe the shores. The watercourses which traverse the plain take their rise near the eastern side of the island. THE ACTION AUAINST LORD G-ARMOYLK.—The state- ment of defence in the action for breach of promise of marriage brought by Miss Finney (Miss Fortescue) against Lord Garmoylehas now been fully delivered by the defendant's solicitors. In effect this statement admits the contract and the breach, and leaves the question of damages sustained-which the plaintiff assesses at Dm,OOO-to be determined by a jury. The plaintiff's solicitors have entered the cause for trial in the Queen's Bench Division. It is anticipated that the printed list of causes not yet disposed of will be cleared off by the Judges before the 29th inst., the last day fixed for hearing the causes to be tried in Middlesex. C, The new list of causes entered for trial in Middlesex after the Easter recess numbers between 200 a ( A 300. Of these between 70 and 80 are set down for hearing by special juries, including the action of "Finney v. Gar- moyle," which will be taken in its turn. According to present appearances it is thought probable that this case will be reached in June or July next, and will then be heard, unless circumstances intervene rendering a postponement necessary. AVERAGE PHICES OF BRITISH CORN.—The following are the average prices of British corn for last week, as received from the inspectors and officers of Excise: Wheat, 37s. 7(1.; barley, 31s. 3d.; oats, 19s. 8d. per imperial quarter. Corresponding week last year: Wheat, 42s. 2d.; barley, 33s. lid.; oats, 22s. 5d. A FEROCIOUS BRIGAND.—The Naples correspondent of the Standard writes I- The death of Cipriano La Gala, the most ferocious brigand of modern times, is reported from Portoferraio, on the Island of Elba, where he had been confined for a number of years, chained to the wall. La Gala has been provudguilty of fifty murders and numerous robberies, as well as arson. He commenced his career as an officer in the Bourbon militia. In 18(50 he became a brigand chief, the terror of Southern Italy he collected around him a band of seven hundred malefactors, and ruled them with an iron will, punishing the smallest disobedience with death. He was only of small, slender stature, but his piercing dark eyes showed his indomitable will. He- wore a long black beard, coming down to the middle of his chest. Gala affected to be most religious, and went frequently to mass and confession. His skull will be: preserved as a phrenological curiosity. COLOURED SNOW.—A correspondent of the Scots- man," at Kippcn, Stirlingshire, writes Coloured snow of a dull leaden appearance, similar to that which fell on the 1st inst. at hoseiieath. wa s visible here the same afternoon. After the snow ceased there was a slight frost in the afternoon, and the snow looked as if it had been saturated with. smoke. It extended only about an inch from the surface, and below was the pure snow of v dazzling whiteness. The fall was from the south-east, and the fine dust came from the same d'rection.

A MOURNFUL TRAGEDY. At Bainham, on Friday in last week, the borough coroner held an inquest on the bodies of Elizabeth Jane Cockspurn, 47, and Emily Charlotte Cockspurn, aged 11 months. The mother had been ill of pleurisy for some time, and had been without sleep for several nights. On her husband leaving home in the morn- ing to go to work, she asked him to kiss the child as well as herself. She asked a young girl who waited upon her shortly afterwards for her husband's razor, and then sent her out of the house on an errand. When she returned the door was locked. After some time she got into the house over a garden wall, and went up stairs, when she saw the baby lying on the floor in a pool of blood with its throat cut. She rushed out screaming, and gave an alarm. The mother was found hanging by a rope to a beam in the washhouse quite dead. The jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against the mother, and of Suicide when in a state of temporary insanity."

THE DEFEAT OF OSMAN DIGNA. In describing the recent defeat of Osman Digna, thespccial correspondent of the Daily NCVJS says: General Graham has been as good as his word. The Arab rebels did not forsake Osman Digna, and the fate which their fellow-tribesmen got at El Teb has overtaken them also. At eight this morning we marched out to attack the enemy's position. The previous formations were changed, and two echeloned squares were substituted for the single square which most had hoped would be adopted, and the two squares were formed in line, in which manner they started from Baker's zeriba. I noticed that the right square comprising the First Brigade, under General Buller, seemed to be rather hurried in keeping the line of march but then the ground was difficult for attacking squares. The Second Brigade, under General Davis, which I accom- panied, was composed of the 42nd and 65th Regi- ments, with the guns in front of the line, and the Marines forming the rear. Latterly the ground over which we have advanced is a kind of plateau dipping towards the east, on which our front was then moving. The configuration reminded one of the warnings uttered by certain members of the Intelligence De- part-a" Beware of surprises." It seemed exactly the sort of ground on which large numbers of the enemy might, easily conceal them- selves, and from which they might spring upon a sudden. As soon as our troops came within short striking distance, right in front, some eleven hundred yards a head, a group of Abyssinian scouts were busily engaged in exchanging shots with the enemy. Unlike proper scouts, however, they were all in a heap, and seemed to be firing somewhat, prowis- cuously. Parties of cavalry in skirmishing order were similarly engaged in the same quarter of the Held. If tlie ODjecu .i-aw the ene?iiy^tb attempt succeeded admirably, for within ffFte^ I twenty minutes from the time of starting tlitv* was raging. ijg The machine guns were handled most but our artillery had only a brief chance, for the enemy were swarming upon us in the space of a few moments. Before coming to close quarters, the Arabs actively plied their Remington rifles, and with the musketry from the 42nd and the 65th half battalions, the fire was simply terrific. In recent battles there have been fewer hotter corners than General Davis's square. The hissing and whizzing of the enemy's bullets over our heads made our voices almost inaudible. Had the Arabs been as good shots as the Boers not a tenth of our number would have escaped alive. The rebels then began to crowd about our left flank, composed of r., the 42nd, which opened fire with the same rapid energy as their comrades in front. The musketry fire had lasted about three seconds, when a confused din of voices broke as an undertone through the roar. It was the 42nd forming the front half battalion, and the 65th, which, giving way, bulged inwards until at last they canle within ten or fifteen yards of the rear line of their square, which as I have already said, was composed of the Marine Light Infantry. Simultaneously the Arabs were running in upon the left flank. Our square was being crushed in- wards. This is savage warfare, and I may remark in passing that some, if not all, of the non-combatants within the square became combatants for once. I myself did, though I don't know whether my revolver bullets found their billets. A fellow-correspondent, an old campaigner, was as active with his weapon as any soldier in the ranks. As the wild ruck of reckless savage Arabs pressed onwards the Highlanders and (55th continued press- ing on the rear, and for a few moments the scene sug- I I gested a strange resemblance to that of Baker's square at El Teb, but there was a difference. The Highlanders and their comrades were retiring like lions at bav. The spectacle did not so much terrify as exercise a weird, terrible fascination. I do not suppose that either I or anyone else who witnessed it will often again see its equal for magnificence. Though re- treating, our men literally mowed down their assail- ants. In the smoke and dust of the battle, amid the bright gleam of their myriad spear-heads, the semi- nude, brown-skinned, black, shaggy-haired warriors were falling down in scores. Of all the savage races, of the world none were more desperately brave than the Soudani Arabs who were breaking upon our ranks ike a tempestuous sea. At last the pressure of the front upon the rear became so- great that those of us who were mounted were for a few moments too tightly wedged together to be able to move but we felt the collapse was only temporary. Even the capture of our four Gatling guns by the rebels did not shake this confidence. At last the Highlanders and the 65th responded to the call of their officers. They advanced step by step resolutely and fiercely. Tho Bluejackets charged splendidly, retaking their guns, and the Arabs began to retreat. The order to cease firing soon sounded, and the Brigades waited to form, after which the force re- sumed the advance, the enemy giving way slowly and obstinately. The demoralisation of the Arabs in this part of the battlefield was completed by the cavalry, who, sweeping round the left flank, dismounted and poured volley after volley into the retreating enemy. The Arabs, in fact, had attempted to rally and take up in flank, but the sudden movement by the cavalry defeated their object. Tins check effected, the square advanced to the edge of the plateau, beneath which extended a large nullah, or ravine, to search which skirmishers were promptly sent, when large numbers of Arabs concealed all over the spot sprang up as if by magic. But instead of attacking they bolted. Hitherto I have spoken only of General Davis's brigade within which I stood during the action; but from what I could see of General Redver's Buller's brigade, which was echeloned at a distance of about 300 yards in our rear, and, from what I have gathered from some who have accompanied it, I put together the following brief statement: The brigade was assaulted in the same wild, furious manner as the second, but replied with a tremendous fire, which killed every living being within reach of it. In other words the"fenemy never even got near this brigade. Its story w £ s very much the reverse of that of our attacking square. Not only did the rank and file calmly and strenuously hold their ground, but the guns inside'played havoc among the enemy s ranks, speedily throwing them into helpless confusion. It is but common justice to say that Redvers Buller handled his brigade splendidly. Buller's brigade then advanced to the edge of the plateau, with the mounted infantry operating in advance. By this time, about a quarter-past eleven, the battle was virtually over; but no rest was given to the Arabs, for, after a short halt, Buller, with his bat- talions, which General Graham also accompanied, crossed two or three ravines, intervening between the plateau and the wells of Tamai, as it is sometimes called, a spot about four miles from Tamanhid. The capture of these wells was the immediate object of General Graham's expedition. As the brigade advanced its artillery, with neat pre- cision, shelled the enemy, who, having completely lost heart, were making as fast as they could for the hills, where they knew we should not follow them. When the second brigade came up, and after march- ing a little more than a mile, reached the wells, only a few struggling parties of our lately brave and pre- ponderatingly numerous foes were visible. As they disappeared into the mountains the El Teb scenes were repeated, and men and horses—hot, dusty, thirsty, and weary refreshed themselves at the springs. The Wells were reached at about midday. It is impossible to speak too highly of the conduct of the bluejackets. It was not their fault that the guns were taken, and they recaptured them in a style worthy of the finest traditions of their noble service. The Naval Brigade had ten killed, among whom I regret to say are Lieutenants Montressor, Almack, and Houston Stewart. INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE. The special correspondent of the Standard says: On reaching the point where the Arabs had charged down upon the leading Brigade, the guns which had been abandoned when Davis's square was broken were recovered. Almost at the same moment a fresh body of the enemy were seen issuing from a broad, deep, rocky ravine, in which they had been lying coneealed, this time in even denser numbers than before. Our troops met the onslaught with the utmost steadiness. It was a repetition of the battle of El Teb, but the charges we sustained were made by larger bodies of men, and were even fiercer and more determined than upon that occasion. Of the brave natives who swarmed down upon us none went back; it was, in- deed, death or victory with them. It was pitiful to see how the masses melted away under our fire, leav- ing a trail of bodies behind them, till the last sur- vivors fell close to our ranks. *'i. 7; The lt' correspondent says: Thrice the naval officers ccimanding the machine guns were sur- rounded,-ad at last they and many of their men were cut i pieces. The York and Lancaster men were liarly less ferociously attacked. Major Dalgety, ,Oing emptied his revolver against the rushing Lrcle, but in vain, was attacked with the terrible deling swing of a two-handed sword, and his i-iglic 'i-ist'is ho raised his arm to guard his head, was lmost severed, but his head escaped with a slight woutl. Sergeant-Maior Prendergast, while bending v--r a wounded man, had a spear driven tlirotigliii,s back with fearful force, and is sadly in- jured. Two c the mounted infantry men. for a somewhat careless cl, nearly paid the penalty with their lives. Mountedmen, in such. an action, should never dis- mount siigly to attack a foe; but one of these two men .1:C, his comrade holding his horse. A native was lurSng in the shelter of some holes and firing, and tli, disiiiotiiited man sought to turn him out of this poition, so dangerous to the English skirmishers. He adanced some yards, fired at him, and missed. The s/vage then, with excellent judgment, made, not for hisaolitary assailant, but for the man encumbered with horses, and terribly he slashed him with a two-liciidled Sword across the bridle arm and shoulder. The uwounded man, who had reloaded, dared not fire foriear of injuring his comrade, whom he with difficult rescued. It was this peril, duo to individual prowess, by which our advancing troopers were mainly threatened. In another case an enemy, jumping up from hs hidingplace in a bush, shota mounted infantry man tlrough the shoulder at only a. yard's distance. 't TIe wcial correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says One of the finest and strongest men in the B^JK^VVatch was with Section 1, namely, big Jamie -he was pluckily backed by Colour- iPon.iVI Fraser. Both men faced the rushing "hcsi'v naked Arabs, charging partly over jp; tlJd down into the nullah. The battle was ,X.' to permit of time to withdraw empty cart- rM Jt alone load rifles. These men and their coiurstles opposed steel with steel, fighting with all the jjfajysical power they possessed, which was vastly greatir than the sinewy strength of the swart savages. The two Highlanders made over a dozen of their foe- men lite the dust before they fell from loss of blood sustaned by cuts and thrown spears. While they fouglt they used not only their rifles, the butts as well as thi bayonets, but when the Arabs closed in hit out with',heir fists in the scramble. Aiother man of the same section, Private George Drunmond, who came out alive with three wounds, whili bayonetting an Arab was cut over the head by a hopermn on a grey charger with one of those huge cross-hilted swords. Druminond's helmet and the swering of the horse saved him. Though stunned, he rallid in a moment, and drove his bayonet through the Arab's body. Whilst tugging to get it out, anotier Arab rushed at him, spear in hand, but his fighing chum, Kelly, shot the savage. Poor Kelly was'killed almost instantly afterwards, and Druni- mori had his work cut out to get away. It has since transpired that the man on the grey charger was Osnan Digna's cousin, Sheikh Mahomed, and that the follnver who rushed to his rescue was his steward or waW. Tie following General Order in reference to the defeat of Osman Digna has been published:— The second task of the expedition has now been acclnplished the rebel army that threatened Souakim is dispersed, and its leader, Osman Digna, is [J fugitive in the hills, with a price upon his head. "This result you, the officers and men of this small amy, have brought about by the disclipine and steadiness which you have shown in the performance of che several duties assigned to you. The men who chterfully worked on the wharf all night, who bore tlll thjrst. and heat of the march, who quietly endured tht dropping fire of the enemy all that night before the battle—those men showed themselves to be the trie stuff of which British soldiers are made. There was only one critical moment when dis- cipline was forgotten, but remember, you men of the 2t:d Brigade, how, when you rallied and stood shoulder to shoulder, all danger was over, and the er.emy no longer faced you. Remember, also, those brave comrades who stood to the last; who cared more for your honour than for their own safety, and who died nobly on that spot where the dead bodies of over 600 enemies showed how dearly they had pur- chased that temporary success. "The thanks of the army are due to the 1st Bi'iwle for the steadiness with which it received and rep used the enemy's attack. The Naval Brigade for a brief moment lost their guns, but through no fault of their own. Three of their officers and seven men were killed in trying to defend them, and each gun was locked before it fell into the enemy's hands, so that it could not be used against us. "The cavalry co-operated well with the infantry as skirmishers and scouts, and at the most critical moment protected the flank of the Second Brigade. The Commissariat and Transport department were indefatigable, and showed the admirable energy of organisation, without which the army would in this waterless country have suffered terribly. "The arrangements made by the Army Medical department for the comfort and transport of the wounded and sick were all that could be desired. Many instances of self-devotion on the part of the medical officers occurred which will not be forgotten. "The Staff, too, have evinced great zeal and capacity, a proof of which is shown in the smoothness with which all in authority have worked together for the general good. "The Naval Brigade have shown the same fine qualities of courage and endurance that carried them through the Tokar expedition, and their share in our work will always be remembered with admiration by their comrades in the army. I have already had the honour to convey the thanks and eongratulat iwns of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, who never forgets hfcr soldiers, and of his Royal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. The country will also thank you for maintaining the honour of the English name, and your general will always be proud to be associated with you." In a telegram dated Sunday, the special corres- pondent of the Standard, says that the Admiral is sending out the following Proclamation :— I, the English Governor and General civil and military of Souakim, make known that whosoever will bring in the rebel Osman, the murderer, who has bv his lies caused the blood of the tribes to be spilt at El Teb and Tamanieb, alive or dead, shall receive five thousand dollars reward." THE BRITISH LOSSES. The following has been received at the War Office: From Sir G. Graham, dated Souakim, 14th, 4.40 p.m. Received at the War Office, 8.40 p.m. March 14.—In continuation of mine of yester- day. Actual casualties now stated as follows K'Ued Lieutenant Montresor, Euryalus Lieu- tenant Xhnack, Briton Lieutenant Houston Stewart, Dryad; Captain II. G. W. Ford, York and Lancaster; Major Aitken, Royal Highlanders; 86 non-com- missioned officers and privates, &c., whose names are being verified. Wounded: Captain Brophy, Lieutenant-colonel Green, Lieutenant D. A. M'Leod, Royal Highlanders; Major 31-Doiiald, 2nd Highland Light Infantry attached to Royal Highlanders; Major R. Dalgety, York and Lancaster; Surgeon H. C. R. Cross, Royal Navy, Surgeon Prendergast, A.M.D., Mr. St. Leger Herbert, and 103 non-commissioned officers: and pri- vates. From Sir G. Graham, Souakim, March 14, 5.10 p.m., received at War Office, March 14, 9.30 p.m. March 14. Marched whole force to Osman Digna's village, which was burnt, with large stores of ammunition for guns and rifles. One carriage gun removed. No opposition enemy. Few dropping shots only coming in by which one man, King's Royal Rifles, was wounded. "Head-quarters and cavalry return to Souakim this evening. Infantry and artillery bivouac at Baker's zariba, and return to Souakim to-morrow. Wounded have been removed to Souakim this morning. All returned as missing now accounted for as killed." Continuation of telegram from Sir G. Graham, dated Souakim, March 14, 5.10 p.m., received at the War Office, March 14, 10.15 p.m. Total killed, five officers, 86 men; wounded, eight officers, 103 men missing, 19 men. ¡; I I deeply regret losses, mainly caused by 2nd Brigade squaro being broken by charges of enemy, who came on regardless of losses, 600 of their dead being counted at that point. Three officers and seven men Naval Brigade killed at their guns, which for a few minutes were in the hands of the enemy, but were retaken. Enemy also attacked 1st Brigade and zariba at same time, but were repulsed. They were in great force, not less than It),000 or 12,000, and their loss is estimated at over 2000 killed. Have withdrawn to zariba occupied Wednesday, but march out again to Tanias this morning. Wounded in tents with all necessary requirements, and doing well.

CAPTURE OF BAG NINH BY THE FRENCH. General Millot, the Commander-in-Cl11d m Tonqnin, telegraphs from Phang Hao, under date of the 12th inst., the following account of the capture or Bac Ninh We marched this morning on Bac Ninh. The first brigade, proceeding by way of Chi, carried in brilliant fashion the heights of Tsung Son, which were defended by five separate fortifications. The second brigade, supported by the flotilla, carried rapidly the defences of Vat Buoi and the dam at Lao Buoi, and then went resolutely in pursuit of the enemy up to the heights of Dap Can, where it took up a position. The combined movements and all the operations in detail succeeded perfectly. The enemy, finding their position completely turned, took to flight-.0 In spite of extraordinary physical difficulties the troops marched admirably. The French Minister of Marine also received th^ following telegram from General Millot, Haiphong: "In consequence of the fighting on the 12th inst. the enemy is in full retreat. The ex- peditionary force entered Bac Ninh at six o'clock that evening. Under dateBacninli, March 1.3, the correspondent of the Tinil's writes: I arrived here with General Millott's column. General Negrier entered the citadel at eight o'clock last night. The whole day was spent in capturing the fortifica- tions. which extended for miles, and included forts, pagodas, and villages, armed with iingals and old cannon. The construction of the works was excel- lent. The Chinese fought well, but the fall of the place was never doubtful. The citadel was captured with- out firing a shot. It contained six Krupps (unused). a Chinese mitrailleuse, and a quantity of flags and arms. The French loss was slight; the enemy's cannot be computed. The garrison tied in disorder to the west and north.

A S.$IART Boy. Where are you going ?"' asked a little boy of another, who had slipped and fallen down on the icy pavement. Going to get up was the blunt reply. PROOF POI;ITIVE. "Mary, is your master at home ? No, sir, he's out." "I don't believe it." "Well, then, he'll come down and tell you so himself. Perhaps you'll believe him."

THE HANGMAN AND HIS DUTIES. j In London, on Saturday.at a committee of the Court of Aldermen, the statements which have Vevn. made as to the conduct of Bartholomew Binns the executioner, especially with reference to the r nt affair at Liverpool, were under consideration. ir. Alderman Lu?k moved the withdrawal of the retain, ing fee, usually paid by tho Corporation, but the Town Clerk pointed out that to be in order notice must be given for the next meeting. After some discussion, the committee, who sat in private, decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Sheriffs, with whom the appointment rests as far as Newgate is concerned. The sheriffs said they would give the matter their immediate consideration. One of the Aldermen afterwards remarked that the case might not turn out so black as it looked. The appointment of hangman seems to be very much coveted, for one of the Corporation servants, who will shortly be entited to a pension, actually attended to apply for the situation, which was not vacant, some time before the committee met.

ZOBEHR ON THE SOUDAN. The Cairo correspondent of the Daily News writ es: Zobehr Pasha says that he is willing to succeed. General Gordon in the Soudan. His ideas are that the country cannot be subdued by arms, but by pacific means alone. lie believes that the tribes are willing to lend a hand to civilization if the benefits are properly ,o explained to them; but a sick man must be visited before he is cured. Zobehr says he cannot express an opinion as to the Mahdi until he (Zobehr) has communicated with him, but he doubts the Mahdi being considered a prophet in the Soudan. Zobehr considers England to be the greatest Power in the world, owing to her love of justice. He says he believes slavery can he got rid of gradually when the Soudanese begin to appreciate civilization. He denies the statement, which has been made in some papers as to the existence of a blood-feud between him and Gordon. Zobelir says Gordon is his brother, who has caused the Egyptian Government to refund X,5000 out of plundered from him.