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

HORSE AND CATTLE SHOW IN ROME the° W™hel°d inThe WLBF ITAL'V' INAUgURATED sheep bred in tL • BO/GHESE, of horses and drome called the Piazza'd^Scenn 'V"-6)' ^'le ^'PP°" of hundred years ^Tfor 0^ ^,°^ C°"Ple tournament on the occasion of HIP 'J'1 "ILERE the •of the Duke and Duchess of WEDDL,NS ^^IVITIES lart year, 3 '"f of large railed enelo.ures eontaininB Others the mares, with their foals Ind «IR ^RSES' ingtothe different breeders and exhibitor, AI FR" sides were rows of network folds filled witi F while around the semicircular ends WAS a RAN^ loose boxes for thoroughbreds. The show includes fewer than 200 country-bred horses and 700 sheen A very marked and satisfactory IMPROVEMENT was evident in the breeding of both classes of animals especially the sheep. The thoroughbreds, nearly all of direct English descent, made a very creditable show, many of them being mares with their foals and fillies inscribed for the Italian Derby of 1887. Captain Fagg'S Egeria, born in the VILLA Borghese and Mr. Charles Plowden's mare Como, with her foal, were particularly admired. King Humbert, attended by hIs aides-de-camp, arrived on the ground at ha T-past three, and was received by the Ministers of War, of Agriculture, and of Commerce (under whose initiative the show is being held), by the Syndic and Prefect of Itorne, and by a number of members of the Roman nobility. His Majesty spent two hour3 examining THE animals with marked attention and interest. Prizes K GIVEN OF FROM 1000F- downwards for horses, and J downwards for sheep, with gold and silver medals for both classes of animals.

PEKFKCT.—Sheridan, to test the acoustic qualities a new theatre he had built, desired the carpenter SPEAK on the stage while he would go and listen to RV.M THE GALLERY. Now, then," said Sheridan, •«T X N E MD ascended. The carpenter responded, AN MY mates have been working here for the last WEE, AND we should like to see the colour of your honours MONEY!" "That will do," said Sheridan: accoustics are perfect."

.S. GOSSIP ON D TI E S S. THE month of May came upon us with bright sun- shine, but with little of that genial warmth which would be so agreeable a change from the cold east winds which prevailed during a greater part of the preceding month. In matters of fashion the month of May is usually regarded as the herald of summer; and there are already some indications of what will be worn during the last days of spring and the earlier days of the warmer season which succeed it. The Queen describes some costumes of Parisian manu- facture which have recently been on view in London. We make the following extracts from the article Imagine a half-mourning toilette of black satin and velvet, with satin of a tint of veritable "pearly" grey. At the sides of the skirt were wide panels of grey satin, the edges straight and merely bound with silken cord to match. The panels were worked all over with a pattern of oval rings two together and interlaced, one of dull steel beads, the other of bright steel spangles. In front, below the edge of the panels which gradually opened from the waist,, and on either side of a plastron of plain grey satin, was a band of thread worked net outlined with small steel spangles, which also bordered the skirt above a narrow kilting, and down the centre was a perpendicular row of stiffly-arranged "wheatslieaf" bows of narrow satin ribbon of the same tender shade. The long square-cut train was of black satin with a narrow centre breadth of velvet down its entire length. It appeared to commence from the front of the petticoat, forming short and pointed paniers, raised on the hips, where it was fashioned into a broad cornucopia" shaped plait lined with pearl satin and also embroidered with beads. The sides of the train were also lined with steel-embroidered satin, part of the side panels men- tioned above, which, carried back as revers, fell at each side of the train in pointed folds to the ground. The bodice was of black satin pointed back and front, made short on the hips in the now prevailing style. Below the square-cut opening was a narrow waistcoat of pearl-grey satin covered with steel-worked net, which also surrounded the corsage, and formed a fril- ling inside the Medici collar of lace and cut jet beads. The elbows sleeve, cut up and curved to the shoulder, on the upper part of the arm had epaulettes of strings of large-sized beads. The bodice was crossed in front with festoons of glittering beads. ANOTHER original costume described in the same article, was a costume of black gros-grain, with folds and revers of satin of old-fashioned lavender shade, trimmed with bands and fringes of jet and a galloon of silver thread. It had a jacket bodice of black silk, cut straight on the hips, and below the edge of the basque was a fold of coloured satin, above which was a light fringe of single strands of jet. One side of the silk petticoat was trimmed with two perpen- dicular rows of jet and silver galloon, terminating in a folded upholstery" drapery, below which was a flounce of beaded black net, with lining of lavender satin. The front of the skirt was plain at the right was a drapery bordered with galloon, edged with lavender satin and a fringe of strands of jet; the back was fully puffed, and had a shaped revers of satin, pointed from the waist, to the edge of the over- dress, which nearly concealed the petticoat beneath. A WALKING costume of sicilienne, of an exquisite shade of tourterclle grey, had a polonaise bodice over a skirt of the same material, composed of wide box- plaits bordered by a flat band of grey galloon, with a pattern of velvet scales and a scalloped edge of shaded frise silk. The polonaise was most cleverly cut, anl arranged in such cunning fashion as to give the idea of a jacket with a basque of graduated points outlined with bands of galloon, below each of which was a folded drapery describing a series of curves. The collar was high and deep, turned down at the neck a la Byron, and the front of the bodice was crossed with cordons of silk and chenille. The sleeves were close-fitting, and cut out in a point at the cuffs, showing a box-plait of silk, finished with twisted silk cord. AMONG the all-black toilettes of silk or woollen stuffs, relieved in most instances with handsome jet passementerie or lace worked with closely-set beads, we remarked a simple yet stylish costume, composed of cashmere and a material called canvas grena- dine," the pattern covered with beads. The skirt was of cashmere, edged with a frill, and at the sides were longitudinal folds of the same, increasing in width to the back. The short paniers, festooned over the hips, were caught up high on the back of the skirt, and finished with loops of dull black ribbon. The close-fitting bodice had a deftly arranged and -folded plastron front of beaded grenadine canvas, which reached from the neck almost to the edge of the skirt. ANOTHER charming dress was of black satin and sicilienne, with round plain skirt of satin entirely covered with horizontal rows of narrow dull silk braid. Over this was a polonaise of sicilienne, quite untrim- med, but draped with marvellous taste, gathered round the neck, and down the front to the waist, where it was confined by a girdle of black satin ribbon. An afternoon dress or visiting toilette for warm and con- genial weather was made with three flounces of lace on a skirt of soft black satin, with overdress of silk grenadine, with the narrowest satin lines. The satin bodice had a jabot of lace adorned with ribbon bows, arranged with consummate taste, and the drapery of the overdress took the form of two festoons, one loose and rather long, the other folded and fastened some- what higher. On the right side of the skirt were three rosettes of satin at the back was a long and gracefully looped-up scarf. In white, cream, or grey 1] grenadine, or velvet-figured gauze over satin, this would be equally pretty, and especially suitable for the evening wear of young married ladies or girls. FOR first or second mourning, when crape is not en regle, there was a pretty mantle called July," made of embroidered net, lined with thin black silk, and trimmed with French lace flounces and orna- ments of dull beads, which are novel and effective. A good-sized mantle, shaped as they all are, with deep cape at the back, and long scarf ends below the waist in front, was of black silk lace over satin Merveilleux, the pattern needle run by hand—that is, worked all round with cord of the finest twist, passed in and out the threads. The cape was trimmed with flounces of lace, headed with jetted gimp. The wide sleeves, which sprung from the shoulders, were also of similar lace but of flounces of narrower width, and studded at intervals with tassels of jet to match. A LONDON morning paper has a special article on Paris Fashions," from which we quote the follow- ing Full chemisettes and full fronts to bodices and polonaises promise to be very much in vogue through- out the summer Perhaps women are getting some- what tired of being corseted so tightly, and hail the semi-freedom thus afforded to them. For young girls such garments are peculiarly applicable, as allowing considerable play to the chest and arms, and draping in a becoming manner lank or half-formed figures. They are also useful as permitting those of small means to attire themselves fashionably, and at a moderate cost, with the newly-made gowns to be found at linendraper's, and so escape the heavy toll levied by the dressmaker. Most simple summer cotton gowns will be worn with blouse or polonaise tunic ajuste behind only. All tea gowns and home dresses are made so, whether in dark-lined cashmere and Surah, with round kilted skirt, or the more dressy train-robe, open in front over draperies of creamy lace and delicate tinted silk. A very re- markable gown of this sort has a knife blade" plaited petticoat of aurora pink taffetas, full chemi- sette of cream-coloured lace, and train robe of cream- ,e white cashmere, strewn with black velvet swallows, and edged with frivolous ruchings of pink and white. FOR evening gowns the full front is plaited in close tolds to the waist, ribbons sewn to the side seams being drawn down in a very long point and tied over it. White and cream-coloured polonaises of cash- mere are made in this way to wear over plain skirts figured with large fruits and flowers. They are effective without being extravagant, a pleasant exception in these days of unlimited lace, embroidery, and passe- menterie. Another style of gown, at once pretty and inexpensive, is made of nun's veiling, the front of the skirt being covered with woollen balls to match, which, pendant to a double loop of cord, dangle like cherries on their stalks. In pearl grey, aurora pink, faintest Arctic blue, sulphur yellow, and cream, they are suitable for small evening parties and weddings in the present, and for almost general wear in the balmy future of summer. IN the artificial conservatories the cherries have ripened before the real trees in the orchards are out of bloom. Many of the new spring bonnets that ap- peared during Easter week were decorated with this bright red fruit, surmounted by sheaves of green corn, or plumes of foliage and white flowers. They suit the prevailing taste for crimson in millinery. Large butterfly bows of scarlet velvet seem equally in favour for bonnets, black, brown, or grey. Several garters of terry velvet ribbon, of the same brilliant hue, were used to deck high-crowned hats; while red velvet capotes were mostly deoorated with green grasses, f>lumes of white lilac, white heather, and that dainty ittle meadow-flower which goes here by the name of the artist's despair," so tiny, feather-like, and in- tangible is its form.

CHANGES AND GROWTH. There is a very loose and mistaken idea of con- sistency in the minds of many people. They regard it as a kind of mental and moral status quo, a verit- able standing still of opinions, ideas, principles, and methods of action. Hence, when a man thinks new thoughts, embraces new ideas, establishes new stan- dards, and changes his life in accordance with them, the cry is heard of inconsistency. They compare his present position with his past, and, in showing the difference, imagine that they have convicted him of fickleness and inconstancy. They predict that he can never be depended upon; that lie is equally likely to change back to his former mode of thinking or to fall into some fresh vagary. It is a significant fact, however, that this criticism is usually made by those who share in the opinions he has given np, not by those who hold the ideas he has newly em- braced. It is the party, or sect, or clique of any kind, that can no longer count him in as one of them, that denounces him as inconsistent; the one to which he has flown bring no such charges. On the other hand, he who clings unalterably to one set of ideas through life, though he may have taken them at second hand and never comprehended their full im- port, is praised for his consistency and pronounced reliable. Now any such consistency as this in the physical world everyone would see to be fatal. If nature were suddenly to repudiate her ever-changing character, all growth would be at an end and all life would cease. It is upon the slow but continual alteration of her methods and aspects, not upon her immobility that we rely. The acorn is to become the oak, summer is to succeed winter, the planets are to revolve, the seed to expand, fruits to ripen, the blood to circulate, the heart to beat, the child to grow into a man, commerce to gather up the products of the earth and scatter them among all people. Force, motion, action, changes are the foundations upon which we build and the elements in which we put our faith. Why, then, when we come to the most subtle of all things, the thoughts of man, do we demand that they shall change not ? Why visit the natural and healthful course of mental life with the brand of inconsistency ? If there is anything pre-eminently inconsistent in a man's thoughts, it is that they fulfil no law of growth, that they remain dull and inert, neither becoming deeper nor broader, higher nor fuller. He who from education or other influences has come to espouse certain beliefs about any subject, and who, without really comprehending them, resolutely opposes all others, is as inconsistent as the blossom that should come to consciousness, and, finding itself a bud, should refuse to expand into the full flower or the luscious fruit. It is true that mental changes are not always mental growths. There is a fickleness of mind that is mere frivolity, light- ing first on one thing and then on another, from the mere love of novelty, without grasping any- thing. But every earnest conviction, gained through honest thought and labour, is a step that should com- mand the respect even of those who cannot share it, however much it may vary from a previous conviction. Often it is a mere matter of emphasis. A young man, for instance, is grieved and shocked with the poverty and distress he witnesses, and rushes generously to its relief. He gives, and urges others to give, honestly thinking that that is all that is needed. By-and-by he finds out that he is doing more harm than good by indiscriminate alms, and lie changes his mind, now warmly contending against all such aid. This is not inconsistency; it is successive stages of the mind's growth, both imperfect, but both leading a thinking person to form at length a higher conception that shall embrace the truths which existed in each. In the same way a man may in the course of honest thinking pass from one party in politics to another, or from one school of philosophy to another, or from one method of doing business to another, and yet incur no just blame for inconsistency. If his mind continue to grow, it will not rest in any isolated truth, but will gradually combine truths that may seem to be' opposed and hold them in right relations, thus dis- covering their eeal harmony. There is. however, one- very important element of growth wKch is often neglected in mental changes. It is the conservatism which retains whatever of good or truth exist in old opinions, while extending a hearty welcome to that which is new. All plant life and animal life which is healthful observes this. The changes from acorn to sprout, from sprout to sapling, and from sapling to the large spreading oak, with firm trunk and plentiful foliage, are not f-r-ehanges, but accessions, each con- taining and cherishing all the results of its past, while taking on itself new developments. The same is true of all healthful mental progress. The mind which drops one thought as soon as it takes up another, and will declare flippantly that its former notion is all false because another appears to be true, forfeits the very essence of all progress. Such changes are not growth, but mere transits. He who sees cause to change his views on any subject should regard it as his first duty to retain whatever of good and truth resides in those he has hitherto held, dropping out only the husks which have contained it, but which are now no longer needed for its protection.. If lie is not fair enough or wise enough for this, he is not ready for healthful mental changes. Meantime let us beware how we charge with inconsistency those who are rightly ful- filling the laws of their mental development. If we do this, it is we, not they, who are inconsistent, for we are fighting against the very means by which alone the life of the mind can be nourished and its progress secured.—Vhiladelphia Ledger.

PESTS OF THE ROSE GARDEN. The recent rains are doing wonders for the roses in our gardens, and they are now making vigorous and substantial growth, and very soon many kinds of in- sect enemies will attack them. Chief among them will be the green fly, or aphides. This is a wonder- fully prolific pest, completely smothering in a few days, the leaves, branches, and buds of the plants they infest. The injury they do very soon arrests the growth and progress of the plants, and their leaves and branches become twisted and distorted by the twisting of the tissues from the extraction of the juice, and the plants, if not attended to, become at length almost paralysed by the injury thus oc- casioned. The autumnal broods of these insects are egg layers, and those produced from the eggs in the spring are viviparous. Tobacco water, tobacco powder, or, where possible, fumigating them with the fumes of burning tobacco paper, are the most certain remedies. Violent syringings with clear water will also clean the plants for a short time, but those not dis- abled will quickly return to their feast. They are killed with the slightest pressure, so that you have only to draw your fingers over the infested parts and destroy thousands at once. On the leaves and stems of the trees much infested with aphides may be observed a glutinous substance that adheres to the fingers and is sweet to the taste. This substance is properly called lioney-dew, and is secreted from the aphides, Bees and ants are very fond of this honey-dew, and the ants may be seen feasting on the saccharine secretion as it exudes from the insect. Thousands of ants may be seen traversing the trees on which aphides are plentiful. Some are of opinion that ants do not feed on the rose, but follow after the aphides; however this may be, no doubt many cultivators of the rose have found swarms of the black ants on the top of the rosebuds busily at work, and certainly when this is the case, however you may fairly dis- lodge them for a time, the little creatures will return boldly to their work, and assuredly when they have visited the bud it never is seen to open its blossoms in its known natural form and beauty. If dry weather should again set in let the rose grower add some mulching to the ground without delay. Place it round the plants to the width of 18 inches or two feet and it will greatly assist the production of good flowers. Lagid and Water.

A GRANDMOTHER.—As two urchins were trotting along together, one of them fell and broke a pitcher which he was carrying. He then commenced crying, when the other boy asked him why he took on so! "'Cause," said he, when I get home, mother will whip me for breaking the mug." What," said the other, hain't you got no grandmother living at your house ?" No," was the reply. Well, I have, and I might break two mugs, and they daren t whip me. I

DISCOVERY OF THE NECROPOLIS OF SAN (ZOAN). At a spot never visited by Mariette and unexplored save by pillaging natives, Mr. W. Flinders Petrie has just identified the site of the long-sought Necropolis of San (says the The Times). Results of great historic interest may be hoped from this im- portant discovery. Mr. Petrie also reports the recent excavation of a small chapel or shrine, of Ptolemaic date, containing six stela;, two human- headed sphinxes, one royal statuette, and various minor objects. The plan of the chapel is cruciform, the upper end being occupied by an inscribed tablet re- presenting Ptolemy Philadelphus and his sister-queen, Arsinoe, in adoration before Khem, Neith, and Buto. The upper part of this tablet was originally covered wi th a coat of gilding. The sphinxes were found in situ, flanking each side of the tablet. The other ?tehe lined the walls of the two side recesses, and comprise (1) a second tablet of Ptolemy and Arsinoe, of fine Gneco-Egyptian work, representing this king and queen standing face to face, sceptred and crowned; (2) a table of a king worshipping Khem, Horus, Isis, and Buto; (3) a funereal tablet of a private indi- vidual (probably the founder of the chapel), with an inscription in the domestic character (4 and 5) two votive tablets in honour of the bull Apis. These objects are all perfect; but the royal statuette, which is 22in. in height, has been broken in twain and re- united in ancient times. The chapel had apparently been walled up with its contents while Ptolemy Philadelphus was king, and so remained intact until revealed the other day by the pick of the excavator.

THE SCOTCH CROFTERS. On Friday in last week the Duke of Argyll headed a deputation representative of Scotch landed proprie- tors which waited on the Lord Advocate of Scotland for the purpose of explaining to him their position with regard to the crofters and the late Crofters' Commission. The duke, in his introductory remarks, said that a paragraph had recently been published headed, "Penalty for giving evidence before the Crofters' Commission," containing a direct charge against several West Highland proprietors of proceedings by eviction and other measures against certain crofters on account of their having given evidence before the Commission. In his opinion any such act on the part of a proprietor would be most unjust and unpatriotic, although it was perfectly true that many crofters had stated things which were not strictly correct against their proprietors, under great excitement and the manipu- lation of external agitators. This charge, made with- out any investigation of the facts, was brought against, amongst others, Lady Gordon Cathcart, whose liberal and generous management of her estate was well known through the whole of Scotland, as well as against other proprietors who had a similar reputa- tion, and were incapable of doing the acts imputed to them. Under these circumstances, to erase the pre- judice which might have been created in the public mind against proprietors by these statements, and which might also nave proved a source of difficulty to the Executive Government, he had suggested to the landlords interested that it was their duty to come forward and give as public a contradiction as possible to the whole story. Sir Reginald Cathcart having stated that the accusations made against the proprietors were as groundless as they were unjustifiable, Mr. Peacock Edwards, Lady Catlicart's representative, said that when he read the paragraph in question, he was perfectly astonished, as he, at the instance of Lady Cathcart, had given most explicit instructions that no person was to be in any way prejudiced for what he might have done before the Crofters' Commission. Inquiries showed that the statement was entirely untrue, for not one of those four persons had given evidence, nor bad any other relatives and friends. The proceedings against the four men named arose from disturbances which had occurred on the estate after the establishment of a branch of the Highland Land Law Association at Stoneybridge. The men mentioned, including Donald McRae, the leading complainer, admitted they were evicted inconsequence of having taken forcible possession of land in the occupation of another tenant, and for other acts in violation of the conditions of tenancy. The Lord Advocate asked if all these men were in arrear with their rent, to which Mr. Edwards replied that they all were so, but able to pay. In conclusion Mr. Edwards said he represented also other proprietors, and wished in their names also to deny the truth of the charges brought against them. Tho Factor fol* iord Macdonald and other gentle- men iff-Skye denied that notices of eviction were ever served on tenants unleu they were a year or more in arrear with their rent. j; After a few remarks from another member of the dpputation, the Lord Advocate thanked the speakers for the imormation they had given him, and the busi- ness terminated.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN, A Reuter's telegram from New York says the Nor- wegian ship Alentine, of Drammen, has been wrecked off Magdalen Island. Nineteen persons perished, the second mate being the only survivor. The Union Pacific Railway having restored the former rate of wages, the strike on that line has ended, and the employes have returned to work. The Royal Geographical Society has decided to appoint for one year an inspector to enquire thoroughly into the state of geographical education at home and on the continent. In addition to studying the best method of geographical teaching-chiefly probably in Germany and Switzerland—he will be required to col- lect and report upon the best text-books, maps, models, and appliauces.1 Whalebone has become very scarce and high-priced. It is reported that a quantity of it has just been sold at the rate of JE3250 per ton. Intelligence received from Barcelona states that four dynamite cartridges were found on a railway bridge near that town just as a train was approaching. They were placed in such a manner that, had the train net been stopped in time, an explosion would certainly have resulted. Last week's receipts of cotton at all United States ports were 20,000 bales; since 1st September, 4,706,000 bales. Week's exports to Great Britain, 13,000 bales to the Continent, 14,000 bales. Total since 1st Sep- tember, 3,467,000 bales; stock at all ports, 554,000 bales. Stock at interior ports, 76,000 bales. Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., agent-general for New South Wales, has been informed by telegram of the arrival in Sydney of the steamship Belgravia, which sailed from Plymouth with emigrants in March last. An accident which proved fatal occurred at Lowdham Station, on the Midland Railway, on Saturday night. A young man named Frank Brentnall, a resident of Nottingham, slipped between the carriages and the platform on the arrival of the 6.49 down train. His legs were almost severed from his body, He was taken to the Nottingham Hospital, where he died. The opening of the great English Fancy Fair at the Palace of the Academics in Brussels attracted a great number of visitors. The Queen of the Belgians, who had given a picture and two magnificent vases, was received by Sir Edward Malet and the other members of the committee. In Russia a further duty of fifty copeks gold per pood is about to be imposed on foreign agricultural machinery. This industry in South Russia is almost entirely in the hands of English firms. The first sale in England of the 1884 crop of Aus- tralian hops was made on Saturday morning in the Borough by Messrs. W. H. and H. le May, hop factors. The quality of the hops was very fine, and showed a great improvement on the 1883 crop. The price realised was JE7 per cwt. Seven steamers arrived at Liverpool last week, with live stock and fresh meat on board from American and Canadian ports. The total consignments were 1753 cattle 5612 quarters of beef, and 542 carcases of mutton, against. the preceding week's arrivals of 1654 cattle, 23 sheep 6242 quarters of beef, and 684 carcases of mutton, showing an increase in the imports of cattle, but a decrease in that of fresh meat. A six days' pedestrian tour at New York has resulted in Fitzgerald, an Irishman, making the best record known-610 miles. Rowell made 602 miles. Only thirteen British and foreign actual shipwrecks, of which six were owned in the United Kingdom, were reported last week, compared with twenty-seven for the corresponding week in 1883. The number for the year to date is 615, against 802 in 1883. No vessels missing" posted; but the Meduca, of Liverpool, with fifteen hands, and the State of Florida (steamer), with about 200 persons, are, it is feared, wrecked. A pupil teacher named Herbert Stanley, 18 years of age, has committed suicide at Newcastle by shooting himself through the heart with a revolver. The deceased had recently studied for the Civil Service, but failed at the examination, and this appears to have preyed upon his mind. I -=__m. A telegram recelVt*! at Madrid from the Captian- Gcneral of CuLa states fhat 71 persons were injured by the explosion at the San Jose powder magazine. The Captain-General's palace, the gasworks, the cathedral, and several churches, besides 11 houses, bad sustained damage. The robbers who committed the murder in the Medi- cine Lodge, Kansas, U.S.A., Bank, last week, were pur- sued by a number of the excited citizens. A running fight continued for several hours, when, their ammuni- tion being exhausted, the robbers surrendered. They were brought back to the town and confined in the gaol. At midnight the mob broke into the gaol, and shot one of the robbers dead. The other three were dragged out and hanged. Twenty deaf mutes in Norwich, Connecticut, are members of a Congregational Church, and they have formed a Bible class under the charge of a teacher familiar with the method of conversation. Dr. Isaiah S. Tuppins, the first negro to be graduated from a medical college in Columbus, Ohio, was recently presented by the negroes of that city with a fine set of medical instruments and books in appreciation of the difficulties with which he has had to contend in acquiring his education. Lord Yarbcrough, in a letter to the tenants on his Lincolnshire estates, intimates that it is his intention to reduce their rents by 15 per cent. for the next five years It is said that the Government have determined to carry through the London Government Bill, however long it may take. It is now expected that the second reading of the bill will be taken before the end of this month or early in June. It is stated that, in consequence of the death of tiie Duke of Albany, and in deference to a wish expressed in the highest quarter, the Ministerial banquets usually given in honour of the Queen's birthday will not this year take place. M. Pognon, of the French Consular Department, has been entrusted with a misson to the Lebanon, having for its object to obtain the text of the Assyrian in- scriptions relatirg to the campaigns of Nebuchadnezzar in Assyria. The Zoological Gardens, in the Regent's Park, Lon- don, now contain 2398 creatures, according to the society's latest annual report—731 mammals, 1398 birds, and 269 reptiles. The visitors last year num- bered 743,485 against 849,776 in 1882, and 648,694 in 1881. Up to the 25th April the secretary of the committee of the British Association charged with the making of arrangements for the meeting at Montreal had received 650 applications for tickets from persons desirous to go to Canada and to take advantage of the facilities afforded by the steamship companies. Owing to the unprofitable state of the jute trade, Dundee manufacturers, who have a considerable pecuniary interest in jute mills at Calcutta, are consider- ing the propriety of putting the mills on short time. No proposal has as yet been made to reduce the work- ing hours in the Dundee mills, but the production in them is being considerably curtailed. The traffic receipts of the six great French railways frem the 8th to the 14th ult. show an increase of 1,392,127 francs, as compared with the corresponding period of last year. At the Landed Estates Court, Dublin, a portion of an estate near Fermoy, County Cork, yielding a nett profit rent of X416 7s. 3d. has been offered for sale. There being no bidding after L4900, Judge Flanagan re- marked that it was purchased in that court for £ 7300, and despite the depreciation in the value of land he would not sell at the sum offered. There being no further advance, the sale was adjourned. The total number of newspapers and periodicals of all kinds at present issued in the United States and Canada amounts to 13,402, being an increase of 1600 in the last last twelve months. The royalties paid to the Postmaster-General by the United Telephone Company, and its subsidiary com- panies, up to the 31st December, 1883, amounted to about £ 36,000. The Edison lighting station in New York is now, says the" Electrician," connected with over 500 houses, which are wired for nearly 13,000 lamps, of which 11,272 are actually attached to the conductors and ready for use as required. At the instance of Count Moltke, a history of the wars of Frederick the Great is to be published by the General Staff. The materials will be derived from the secret State archives of Berlin and other German and foreign capitals. The Treasury have agreed to allow JE500 to the Fisheries Board of Scotland for the purpose of scientific investigation. The sale of the Earl of Gosford's library which occu- pied eleven days, has been brought to a close by Messrs. Puttick and Simpson. The prices throughout were regarded as good, and the books generally were in fine condition. The whole library realised the large sum of £ 11,318. The April return of the Cleveland Ironmasters' Association shows the following as the month's makes of pig iron: 130,000 tons of Cleveland iron, and 74,000 tons of other kinds, a total of 204,000 tons, or 12,000 tons less than in March. There are 101 furnaces blow- ing, 66 cf which are making Cleveland pig iron. Stocks decreased 8000 tons in April. I The Agricultural Department of the Privy Council have postponed the issue of the Order in Council which was intended to restrain the discretion of the local authorities in preventing the moving of cattle from one district into another. A New York telegram says that the visible supply of wheat on May 2 was 22,500,000 bushels, as against 24,500,000 bushels the previous week. Visible supply of Indian corn, 13,600,000 bushels, as against 15,600,000 bushels the previous week. The export clearances of wheat for Europe during last week amounted to 1,070,000 bushels; the export clearances of Indian corn for Europe during the week amounted to 560,000 bushels. The Prince of Wales has promised to attend the next show of the Royal Agricultural Society, to be held at Shrewsbury in July. His Royal Highness will be the guest of the Earl of Bradford, lord-lieutenant of the county. The Opium Trade between India and China" was the subject proposed for the last Maitland Prize Essay at Cambridge University. The successful essay, by Mr. J. Spencer Hill, B.A., of St. John's College, has just been published by Mr. Henry Frowde, with a short introduction by Lord Justice Fry, whose writings on the same subject are well known. The Guion Line ocean express steamer Oregon, which left New York on the 26th ult., arrived at Queenstown at 5.16 on Saturday morning, making the passage in 6 days, 16 hours, 57 minutes, which is the fastest home- ward trip on record. It is stated that the number of female physicians practising in Russia is no less than 350, of whom 100 are in St. Petersburg itself. On Saturday the Mansion House Fund for the suf- ferers in the earthquake in the Eastern counties amounted to S-2000. The free reference and lending library in the new municipal building at Leeds will contain about 150,000 volumes. The Madrid National Library contains 600,000 printed books and 30,000 MSS., while the university boasts of nearly 137,000 books and an equal number of MSS. The Duke of Ossuna has 3000 MS. plays, including many of Lope de Vega, of the great age of the Spanish theatre. According to the last regulations, the study of Ger- man has been made obligatory for all students in the University of Tokio, Japan. Formerly German and French were optional subjects. Lectures, however, in nearly all subjects are delivered in English, both by foreign and native professors. The Newcastle Society of Antiquaries is making pro- gress with the restoration of the Black Gate of the castle, which, when completed, will contain three or four roomy and well-lighted apartments. In a few weeks these apartments will be stored with the fine collection of Roman sdtars, pottery, and other relics that for so many years has been hidden in the dark a recesses of the old Norrhan keep. The traffic receipts of the railways in the United Kingdom for the week ending April 27, upon a mileage of la,9091, amount to £ 1.231,168. being equal to 172 15s. per mile. For the corresponding week of last year the then published receipts were kl,253,469, the number of miles open 16,627j, or B75 8s. per mile. A comparison of the two weeks shows a decrease in the total receipts of 923,301, and an increase in the number of miles open of 282. Paris advices state that the French wheat trade has been quiet in the French departments during the week. Prices have given way in the north, and have slightly hardened in the north-east and east. The Paris market has been firm. Havre and Marseilles quotations have shown a somewhat better tendency. The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens, r Regent's-park, London, last week included a Rhesus monkey, from Continental India, presented by Mr. A. Macdonnett Green a common fox, British, presented by Miss Bertha Haig; a herring gull, European, pre- sented by Mr. R. Morton Middleton, jun.; a green lizard, European, presented by Mr. J. H. Leech; three Russell's vipers, from Ceylon, two Indian rat snakes, an Indian python, an Indian river snake, two Indian cobras, from India, presented by Mr. Gerald Waller a orey ichneumon from India, a short-headed phalanger from Australia, three lesser birds of Paradise, two red- sided Eclectus from New Guinea, a chattering lory, a three-coloured lory from Moluccas, deposited a dusky parrot from Guiana, received in exchange a smooth- herded capuchin from South-east Brazil, a severe macaw from Brazil, two Schlegel's doves, a Buffon s Touracou from West Africa, a daademed Amazon a vellow-shoulded Amazon from South America, a banded aracari from Central America, received on approval; a Mediterranean seal from the Mediterranean, two chin- chillas from Chili, an anaconda from South. America, purchased. ♦ in nnn i ^i ■ ■ ■ i »i i fh1 Wednesday If disastrous explosion occurred at the Boldcn Colliery, situate about four miles north of Sunderland. One of the large boilers exploded with terrific force, sausing the death of two men and severely injuring several others. The engine- house and adjacent works were GMiIy damaged. An American war vessel will be M to Liverpool to take over for the New Orleans Exhibition all the ex- hibits from the Health Exhibition in tjcradonj when the latter closes. Early on Wednesday morning All Saints' Church, Benhilton, Surrey, was brokeji into by thieves, who effected an entrance through the stained-glass window. All the offertory boxes were broken open, but as they had been recently cleared the thieves only secured a few shilings. Seventy-five negroes, representing 12 States, are hold-" ing a convention in Pittsburg, charged to take measures for the benefit of their race. At the Hertfordshire Assizes on Wednesday, before Baron Pollock, Samuel Smith, a young farm labourer, was charged with murdering a companion by stabbing him during a quarrel about a girl whom they were both courting at Tolleshunt Knights, Essex. The prisoner was found guilty of manslaughter, and was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude. A telegram has been received reporting a terrible disaster in Michigan. The poor-house of Vanburgen county has been destroyed by fire, and fifteen of the unfortunate inmates were burned to death. On Wednesday an inquiry was concluded by the Board of Trade at Liverpool, into the loss of the Cunard steamer Balbec on the Cornish coast in March last. The Court found that the vessel had evidently struck a sunken wreck. The master was not in fault, and the Court approved#his conduct after the casualty. Tawliiao, the Maori King, whO is now on his way to England, is accompanied by twelve chiefs and influ- ential men. The expenses of the mission will be defrayed by a subscription raised among the native tribes. Several thousand pounds have been con- tributed. The crops of beans, wheat, and maize in Upper Egypt are splendid, but business is dull, owing to low prices and want of confidence. Writing on Tuesday, a Vienna correspondent says It is just a week since the women murderers suffered their punishment, and to-day, after the melting of the snow, the body of one of their victims, the cook, Theresa Ketterl, was found near Lilienfeld. The remains have been identified. An address of congratulation to Sir Moses Montefiore, signed by 3000 Dutchmen of different professions and parties, will lie offered shortly to the venerable baronet, through the Dutch Minister yi London. The cattle plague has entirely disappeared in certain districts in the provinces of Esnch in Upper Egypt, and Charkieh in Lower Egypt. ° Notices have been posted up in all the Clyde ship- building yards that the wages of skilled workmen will be reduced a halfpenny per hour, labourers a farthing per hour. and men on piecework ten per cent. As there are already 12,000 men idle it is expected these reduc- tions will be accepted. The Glasgow Iron Company's men at Motherwell have also received notice of a re- duction of wages. From the 1st to the 26th inst., the Exchequer receipts amounted to £ (5,7S0,0S2, as compared qfdjfrijS 7,678,463 in the corresponding period of last^eafrSjpfcife expendi- ture has been £ 6.216,165. On Saturday last the balance in the Bank of England was £ 4,582,983, and in the Bank of Ireland £ 1,234,783. The wharves at ilhemshaven. Kiel, and Dantzig are to be greatly enlarged in the next three years and provided with the electric light. Seventy torpedo boats and submarine mines are also to be constructed. Stral- sund has been fixed upon as the station for torpedo boats. A correspondent of the Times" states that six storks were seen a day or two since flying from the direction of the Hampshire coast towards the marshy lands near Newbury. These rare visitors were observed by several persons, one being a gentleman accustomed to seeing storks at Strasburg. The birds were subse- quently seen in the water meadows within a m'le or two of Newbury. There were 2807 births and 1660 deaths registered in London last week. Allowing for increase of popula- tion, the births exceeded by 9, and the deaths were 19 below the average numbers in the corresponding weeks of the last ten years. The annual death-rate from all causes, which had been 19'1 and 21*4 per 1000 in the two preceding weeks, further rose to 21 "6. At Shifnal Police-court, on Tuesday, John Sutton, an Irish navvy, charged with being in unlawful possession of dynamite, was brought up on remand. It was stated that the explanation given by the prisoner that he had been working at Nelson Docks. Cardiff, and had bought the dynamite from a man named Ellis, was untrue. Prisoner had, however, worked at Penarth Docks, where dynamite is used. He was further re- manded. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the Scotch-American iron- master, has given 50,000 dols. to the Bellevue Hospital Medical School, to encourage medical discovery espe- cially in connection with the germ theory, with a view to the prevention of disease. A fire broke out on Saturday evening in the Barrow- field Pottery Works, belonging to Mr. Henry Kennedy, in Avenue-street, Glasgow. The flames burst forth in the roof of a large building, containing conical kilns, which was burnt to the ground, the rest of the works being saved. The damage, which is covered by insur- ance, amounts to £ 15,000. The number of beast arrivals at the Metropolitaa Cattle Market last week entered for consumption was 3230 head the corresponding week of 1883,2440; 1882, 2430; 1881,3360; 1880, 3560; 1879, 4620, 1878, 3290; 1S77, 3680 1876, 5020; and 1875, 3650. A Reuter's telegram from Vienna says A new planet having the appearance of a star of the twelfth magni- tude was discovered at ten o'clock on Saturday night at the Vienna Observatory, in the constellation Virgo. Miss Sally M'Kee Worford died at Twickenham on Sunday night, in her 102nd year. The deceased was born in London, and for many years resided at Ware, Hertfordshire. Until a few weeks before her death she was able to read her daily newspaper comfortably with- out the aid of spectacles, and enjoyed excellent health. She had lived in Twickenham about twenty-one years. Another fire is reported to have occurred at Mandalay, in which the palace narrowly escaped destruction. There was much loss of life. Energetic preparations are being made to rebuild the great temple which was lately burnt down. The King of Burmah's third daughter is recovering from the smallpox. The doctor who attended the two princesses who died has been cast into prison. Last week brought a fairly plentiful and general rain- fall to Bengal, which will be of immense service to the rice crops, and will relieve the anxiety of the Darjeeling tea-planters. As regards indigo, however, it is to be feared that the rain has come too late to secure any- thing but a very indifferent return. There is every probability that Boulogne harbour will by the beginning of next season be made, by- dredging, available for a fixed hour service to Folke- stono. The German Minister of War has invited a prize com- petition for the best models of new pattern helmet, knapsack, w ater-bottle, marching boots, and other cam- paigning articles of equipment. In Vienna the annual horse show in the Rotunda of the Exhibition building was opened at the commence- ment of the week. As usual, the Imperial stables furnish the best animals in the show, though his Majesty is not a competitor for the prizes. A serious fray has occurred at Saint Philippe, near Nice, between French and Italians. The latter were crying, Death to the French Many were wounded, among them being a policeman. Ten arrests were made. M. de Lesseps has been entertained at the Hotel Continental in Paris by 250 engineers and con- tractors, who gave him a banquet on the occasion of his election to the Academy. The Princess de Wagram has just died in Paris at a great age. She was the daughter of Count Clary,, niece of Bernadotte. King of Sweden, and of Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, and widow of the Prince de Wagram, the son of Berthier, one of Napoleon's most famous Generals. The French steamer Assyrien, with provisions, and coal for Tamatave, has been completely wrecked on the- Providence Rocks, north of Madagascar. The loss is estimated at IRooo. A series of studies for the finding of mineral oil will shortly be commenced in the province of Parma by a company of well-known bankers in Pans, who promise operations on a large scale, and the establishment 01 petroleum refineries in Parma. The bill which has been introduced m the House of Lords by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, as an amendment to the Cruelty to Animals Acts, consists of three clauses only, the second of which renders liable to a fine of £5 per diem any person who keeps a ground or place for shooting birds from traps, and any person who, takes part in trap-shooting. On Tuesday, a woman named Elizabeth Bantuna, and a girl, Martha Alexander, while passing a level crossing on the North London line, at Bollo Bridge. Ac-ton, were knocked down by a train. The woman, who died next morning, sustained serious internal injuries The girl had her foot cut off. It is stated that the man in charge of the gates cried out to them to stop, instead of which they crossed, and in the hurry they both fell. An inquest has been held at Southport on the body of Eliza Boon Large, whose death resulted from an acci- dental administration of liniment instead of medicine by her daughter. The liniment and medicine were in similar bottles, but the former was labelled Poison," The jury returned a verdict of Acci- dental death," but recommended the use of larger bottles for liniment,