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

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESSES. The Postmaster-General, having been urged by the Association of Chambers of Commerce to reduce the fee of Xi Is. now charged for the registration of an abbreviated telegraphic address to 5a. after the first year, has replied that, according to the best estimate that can be formed, the actual incurred by the department for each registered address considerably exceeds 5s., and that such balance as may remain out of the charge-of XI 1-. is far from sufficient to meet the loss of revenue involved in the reduction of the number of words in telegrams which arises from the use of a-i abbreviated address. Apart from its effects upon thi revenue, one result of the reduction of the fee would be the increase to a large extent of the numfcer of applications for registered addresses, and the department ia not prepared to take any fcteps which would lead to such an extension of the system. Under the circumstance?, Mr. Raikes rpgnb tbat he does not see his way to a compliance with the request.

''— THE DAIRY DIPLOMA. The diploma new offered by the British Dairy Farmers' Association should (argues Prof. Long, in the Murk Lane F.rpre-'s) meet a want which exists, although it does not seem to have been felt by the very persons who on?ht to have it. In the month of May examinations will be held in London which are cpen to all persons in the United Kingdom who are desirous of obtaining a diploma certifying their com- petence in cheese-making or butter-making, either in practice alone or ia practice combined with theory. There are two classes—the one suitable for dairy- maids and men who have not had scientific or theo- retical instruction, and the other for those who embrace both branches. There is no question abcut one thiag-íhe diploma will become most valuable. It will not be awarded to persons who are not really competent, and i- will cert ainly prove a most valuable item to future success. There is a guarantee to tho employer that in engaging a diploma holder he is securing a person who is thoroughly competent to do the work he requires, and this fact should enable the holder to obtain a situation far more readily than tnose who are without i", and Those capacity can only be ascertained by practice. More than this, the cipioaia holder v,ill most certainly be able to obtain k'gher wages than practically untried people. With rigard to the sections in which diplomas are offered for practice and theory, the advantages are still more patent. Everyone knows the value of the diploma of the Royal Agricultural College, the Highland Society, and the Royal. They show that tho holder has had a very high scientific training, that he 110,8 passed through a severe course of instruction in bohny, in zoology, in mechanics, veterinary surgery, chemistry, bookkeeping, practical agriculture, and in some cases more. The dairy farmer's diploma dees not need to go so far as this, but it will certainly show the holder has grasped the Ecience of dairying, including a com- petent knowledge of practical work, of botany, and of chemistry in such elementary forms as are absolutely demanded by those who desire to take up the higher position in the dairy farming world.

THE VIENNA PAPYRI. The latest number of the Vienna which communicates periodically the results of the examination of the papyri of the Archduke Rainer, contains a notice by Professor Bickell of a fragment of an ancient recension of a gospel. Professor Bickell regards it as a Greek translation from the Aramaic. A photographic facsimile of it is given, which is about 12 centimetres square and does not contain more than 100 Greek M.S. symbols. It gives the words ad- dressed by Christ to the Apostles after the Last Supper, as they are recorded in St. Matthew xxvi. 30 to 34, and St. Mark xiv. 26 to 30, but with notable variations. For instance, the words, "After I Am risen, I will go before you into Galilee," do not appear in this fragment. The noted paloeographist Weasely believes that the fragment dates from the beginning of the third century. Professor Bickell recalls that Papias mentions, according to the testimony of St. John the Disciple, that St. Matthew wrote down in Aramaic a collection of Christ's discourses, and that this collection formed the groundwork of St. Mark's Gospel. Henc9 he suggests that this fragment may really be a portion of a pre canonical gospel. Prcf. J. Krall has discovered from five fragments of a papyrus on 'Mi-stbeties,' that the lost lav, entitled "Scylla," hitherto attributed to Euripides, was in truth a dithvrambic poem by Timotheus, who flou- rished a century later. The editor himself, Professor Karabacek, state3 on the authority of one of these papyri, that the earliest mention of the Turks by name I must, now be pushed back to 808 A.c. Hitherto the earlipst da'-e, M found in a M.S. in the British Museum, at which the Turks appear in history was B3t down at 873

GOOD night, sweetheart, good night, rang a level- headed youth as he slammed the front gate and paced off down the street. Then he took out his handker- chief to rub the rouge off the tip end of his nose, and wondered how much pearl powder was a pound when purchased in large quantities.

A TYPICAL YANKEE. A correspondent writes The leisured world that lives on this side the Atlantic has always found the time to devote to those who can amuse it; to that chroniclers of the wit of Sydney Smith were never wanting, nor those who delighted to relate whit B. U. Paid last night;" and, because the personal con- nection added to the attractiveness, many good stories were attributed to these two of which they were wholly innocent. But in the busier world across the water it is different, and the mail that now brings the sad news of Mr. Traversa death at Bermuda will remind many even on this side the sea that one has left, the world who takes very much away with him. There never was so effective a stammer as his. It was quite invaluable to attract and increase the attention of an audience, and perhaps, too, it enabled Mr. Travers to select in advance a phrase- ology which was invariably perfect. I remember during my first visit to New Y orlr remarking his patrician and very English face, and 1 found myself in my ignorance pityine his very evident difficulty of speech. It was not Uncle Sam Ward of pleasant memory, but the other universal uncle," his sue- cessor as a lobby king," genial Uncle Larry," who said, Bill, it's a strange thing you stammer so much more here in New York than when at home in Balti- more." Of course I do," was the ready reply: New York is a much bigger place than Baltimore." I hope these lines may not catch the eye of a well- known Scotch Professor, a Professor of paleozoics and protoplasm?, and who broke upon New York not so many years since, full of divine enthusiasms. What- ever from this side that was distinguished in society or in science was always the recipient of the delightful hospitalities of Mr. W. H. Hurlbert, and so it hap- pened that the learned Professor, Senator Evarts, Mr. William Travers, Uncle Sam," Mr. Butler Duncan, and some more were collected to dirner. less for a feast of reason than for a flow of soul, and those who have been present at those intellectual orgies can imagine the consternation when it became clear that the guest of the evening, the learned professor, was determined to deliver him- self of a serious lecture. Even the host Bat. dumb while the professor in full flow invited all to recognise that he had succeeded in discovering the germs of intellectuality in the oyster. At this moment Travers broke in with his most elaborate stammer C-c-c- c-ertainiy, professor, an intellectuality we all recog- nise. The oyster knows at what moment to shut up." The mere hint fell on deaf ears nothing short of the "surgical operation" would have discovered to that professor a joke. and at his expense, but it was suffi- cient to let Evarts in, and the lecture was at an end —at least for that time. Mr. S-- B was the railway corporation counsel for half America, and had amassed an immense fortune by his knowledge of railway law. Mr. Travers saw him, from the windows of the Union Club, coming up the Fifth Avenue on a bitterly cold day, his hands in the pocket of a fur coat. B-b-b-ovs, for Heaven's sake look at B- brought half the club to the windows, expecting to see the eminent lawyer standing on his head. "What's the matter?" said Travers, "what's the matter ? why here is B- with his hanati in his own pockets." But a hundred brighter sallie than these may occur to those who know him well. He was a good sportsman, very fond of yachting, and, what is less common in an American, a very good judge of a horse.

AN ARTIST'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Sir John E. Millias was present at the annual con- versazione of the Sheffield School of Art, and dis- tributed the prizes to the successful students. Dr. Sorby, president of the school, was in the chair, sup- ported by Mr. Stuart-Wortlev, M.P., and Mrs. Stuart- Wortley, M.P. Sir John Millais, who was loudly cheered, said he had prepared many speeches for that evening, but he had decided to cast them all aside, and tell his bearers an eventful story of his life. (Cheers.) Fifty years ago his parents brought him over from Jersey, took him to Southampton, and there took a place on the top of a mail coach for London. He remembered the incidents of that journey vividly, ) but he would not dwell upon them he would merely say that he recollected they sat on the seat behind the coachman, and that as they passed the railway, which was then in course of construction, the coachman made some derisive remarks about this new- fangled method of locomotion. He and his parents joined ia the derision, for at that time a coachman was a great man; they bad confidence in him, espe- cially when he was driving four horses. (Laughter.) As they approached London he remembered that he observed a great red slow in the sky which was new to him, nnd be asked his mother what it was. My boy,"she said, "those are the lights of London"— the London in which he was to sink or swim. he first day they were in London his father, who had been an officer in the Jersey Militia, and who was very fond of soldiering, took him to the Horse Guards, and there he saw the giant horsemen on either side of the gateway. The next day, the eventful day of his life, he was taken by bis mother to Sir Martin Archer Shee, then President of the Royal Academy. They were ushered into an ante- room, and had to wait some timo for the great man. When he appeared he received them with old- fashioned kindness and politeness. His mother, who was a clever, practical woman (and here he should like to say that he owed everything to his mother), lost not a moment in telling the President the object of their visit. She told him how their neighbours and friends in Jersey thought greatly of his talents, that she would not trust to tho opinion of friends, and so she had come to him to ascertain from the best source whether it would be prudent for his father to bring him up as an artist. The first re- mark which Sir Martin Shee made he should never forget. He said, "Madam, you had better bring tho boy up to be a chimney sweeper. They could imagine that his hopes looked very black indeed. Nothing daunted, his mother replied, "But surely, Sir Martin. you will look at the boy's drawings befora you decide." Thereupon a portfolio was brought up from the hall and opened and inspected by the President. After giving the drawings some careful attention the presi- dent turned to him, placed his hand upon his head, and looked him steadfastly in the face, saying, Yon did all these drawings yourself, my little man?" He was too frightened to answer, but the president evidently thought he was not an impostor, for, turning to his mother, he said emphatically, Madam, it is your duty to bring this boy up to the profession." (Cheers.) Following this ad vice he was at once placed with Mr. Sass, a very celebrated master at that time, whose school was in Bloomsbury. Mr. Sass was unfortunately ill, and he must say he got litt!e or no instruction from him. But he was placed among companions who were much older than him- self, some very clever draughtsmen among the number, and he improved by looking at their work and obtaining their criticism upon his own work. IIe he should like to say that be could not too strongly insist upon the advantage students might be to one another. He did not undervalue the influence of a tutor or master, but the master could not always be at a pupil's elbow when he might have 40 or 50 students to attend to. At Mr. Sass's be worked hard, -very bard for so young a boy, and made great progress. From that school he got into the Royal Academy as a probationer, and after passing a qualifying examination he became a student. As the youngest student he remembered one dnty in connection with those early dava-he was told off by the other students daily to obtain their luncheons for them. (Laughter.) He bad tc collect from 40 to 50 pence from his companions, and go with that hoard to a neighbouring baker's and pur- chase as many buns. (Laughter.) He had an eye to business even in those days, for he got a commission upon the transaction. (Laughter.) He always got a bun for himself gratis (laughter and cheers), and the good-natured baker gave him his best bun-a bath bun, value twopence. In the very first year of his student- ship he entered for a prize, a medal given for the best drawing in the antique, and failed by one vote, so that be could thoroughly sympathise with those students who were not taking prizes that night. The next year he agailt tried, and to his joy and astonish- ment he won a first of three prizes. Since then he had tried for many medals, and he hoped they would not think it immodest in him to say that he bad always won them, because it was a simple fact. (Cheers.)

A LADY, after correcting her little girl's pronunci- ation, said My dear, try not to talk so flat. That night the little one was found propped upright against the head of her bed, preparing to go to sleep. -Why is that, daughter ? asks the mother.— Mamma, I thought if I didn't lie fla., I wouldn't talk flat. CAN there be happiness where there is no love, solemnly queries an author in a book on marriage. Not much happiness, perhaps, but if the girl is jolly rich, there can be lots of fan.

AFGHANISTAN. ) TRIBES IN REBELLION.—RUSSIAN ADVANCE. Intelligence received at Born lay through a native Fource states that the Ameer's tooops have made a night attack on the Ghilzau in tLe Shilgar district, in which 20 J of the latter were killed and many wounded. Peverai villages are iu flames. The Wardak, Hotak. Andar, and Tarak tribes have risen in re- bellion, and the hohistani and Hazaras have rejected the Ameers circular. A reconciliation is stated to have been effected between the chiefs in the Chitral district, who have entered into a compact binding themselves not to allow any encroachment on the Ameer's part, and not to assist him with monpy or men. The Russians are reported to be moving by slow stages towards Zulficar. Other news received, also through a native source, states that the Ameer has despatched Parwana Khan, his former com- mander-in-chief, with a force to avenge the murder of Gholam Haider Khan. According to the Fesfhcr Lloyd General Komaroff, the Russian Commander-in-Chief on the Afghan frontier, telegraphed to St. Petersburg a few days ago asking for immediate and extensive reinforcements, both in men and materiel of war. In compliance with his requisition, it is added, large quantities of tents, horse-rugs, saddles, and other supplies have already been despatched from Ivangored, and are being con- veyed to their destination via Odessa. Other tele- grams appearing in the Vienna papers state that a considerable number of Russian troops have already left for Merv. General Annenkuff is shortly expected to return to Central Asia, in order personally to con- duct the operations connected with the extension of the Trarifcaspian Railway from the Amu Daria to Samarkand. M. Arminius Yambery writes The Central Asian uestion is daily increasing in importance. The news bich I get from Meshed, S markand, and St. Peters- burg untilistabably proves that Russia is active, and I am afraid that the meeting of the two commissions on the Neva will not prevent Russia's secret aggression on the west of Afghanistan. All preparations for an attack are being made by the Governor of the Trans- caspian district." A private letter from Constantinople, dated in Vienna, says that the fanatical party in the palace has been endeavouring to induce the Sultan to send a special mission to the Ameer of Afghanistan. As Abdul Rhaman has raised the standard of Islam, he has become an object of veneration to the sheikhs who infest the court, of Abdul Hamid, and his Majesty is told that, in order to maintain the prestige of the Caliphate, he must send an emissary to Cabul. The press censorship has been ordered to permit no criti- cisms on the character of Abdul Rhaman, or state- ments that he is in failing health.

BALKAN TROUBLE. REPORTED ASSASSINATION CONSPIRACY. Reports received at Orsova, state, acsording to a Reuter's dispatch of Saturday, that a conspiracy exists to assassinate the prefects and garrison commanders at Shumla, Varna, and Sofia, and that the Bulgarian Minister of War ia also marked out by the con- spirators. A number of the troops, ns well as of the inhabi- tants at the above-mentioned places are asserted to have been already won over to the contemplated in- surrectionary movement, in which the numerous Bul- garians, Macedonians, and Montenegrins staying at Reni would take part unless the plot was previously frustrated, M. Natchovich, Bulgarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and M. Danitch, the Servian Diplomatic Agent, have signed the convention finally settling the Breovo question. Nothing is yet known at Constantinople of the terms of Russia's reply to the proposals of Turkey for the settlement of the Bulgarian question, which was communicated to the Porte by M. do Nelidoff on the 12th inst. All the communications made by the Russian Ambassador in this matter have been verbal, and it appears that his Excellency specially requested that nothing should be divulged concerning the reply of his Government until an arrangement had actually been effected. It is also not known whether any decision has been taken by the Palace and the Council of Ministers. No circular has yet been dispatched by the Porte to the Powers. There is no foundation for the statement published by some newspapers that M. Stoiloff had gone to meet Prince Alexander on hi; way to Italy, M. Stoiloff is still at Vienna.

"<0- BRONZE FOREIGN COINS. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, questioned by Mr. Channing in the House of Commons the other day, jiid tho recent proclamation with regard to foreign bronze coins only prohibited their importa- tion. It did not affect their circulation in this country. Of course that circulation had never been legalised, and the Government departments had never accepted foreign bronze coins, which, however, had found their way with tolerable freedom from band to hand, especially in London. The late Government were pressed on several occasions to prohibit the cir- culation of such coins, but having no wish to disturb the currency they declined. Finding afterwards that a systematic importation of foreign bronze coins was beginning,they took power in the Customs Amendment Act of last year to prohibit it. They had no time, how- ever, to issue a proclamation under that Act, as they left office ?oon after it was passed, The present Govern- ment bad received many representations as to the illegal circulation of these coins and the consequent inconvonience, and the Government felt it to be their duty to carry the Act into effect. Though the pro- clamation was directed only against the systematic importation of these coins, it had, he was aware, had the effect of causing people to refuse to take them in the ordinary course of business, and he could well believe that it bad caused a certain amount of hard- ship to the poor. The Govornment were mont anxious to alleviate this hardship, and he had therefore con- sidered the question in concert with the authorities of the Mint and the Post Office. There was an appreciable profit in putting foreign bronze coins into circulation in this country-a matter which must not be lost sight of. (Hear, hear.) At the current rate of exchange an English sovereign would fetch 252 ten-centimes pieces, the number of pennies in the pound being, as everybody knew, 240. In fact there was a profit of a shilling in the pound on the importation of foreign bronze coins. It was there- fore important to stop such importation. He under- stood that fishermen had brought these coins in their boats from the north of France. He did not know that there had been a regular systematic importation on a large scale; but as a matter of fact the importa- tion had been large. If the Government undertook to give a penny for every ten-centime piece it was clear that they would be offering an inducement to con- tim itj the importation. (Hear, bear.) They would flood the country with foreign bronze coin?, and the Mint and consequently the taxpayers would; lose that profit on the coinage of copper which belonged to every sovereign Power. He Iaiditdown; therefore, as essential that the importation must be stopped. (Hear, jliear.) What the Government were prepared to do in order to com- bine the object of relieving the holders of foreign coins from their difficulty and at the same time checking the importation was this, that these coins should be received in exchange for cash or stamps at the rate of thirteen to a shilling, no quantity less than a shilling's worth being taken. After May 31st none of these coins would be received. The cost of the operation would be very slight to the Exchequer, and he trusted that the House would not disapprove of the relief thus given to the holders of the coins under the very exceptional circumstances of the case. (Hear, hear.) An arrangement has been arrived at between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Postmaster General, by which the minimum amount in foreign coins which will be exchanged at the post-offics for English money will be sixpence instead of one shilling as originally intended.

WOMEN*, quoth Jones, are the salad of life, at once a toon and a blessing.—In one way they're salad, indeed, replied Brown they take so much time in their dressing. FjtoFEssoR to classical student: You ask if Atlas supported the world, what supported Atlas ? The question, dear sir, has often been asked, but never, as fur as I am aware, satisfactorily answered. I have always been of the opiaion that Atlas must have manied a rich wife, and got his support from her father. A YOUXG woman of New Milford, cleaning house for t family, was called away to see her young man, who had come in from a neighbouring town. She wei: away with him long enough to be married, and the returned to finish her work.

THE NEW GERMAN RIFLE. The manufacture of the New German magazine rifle is so far advanced that the whole German in- fantry at its full war strength may be regarded as already practically equipped with it. The activity, energy, and far-seeing policy of the German War Office has enabled the army to be in possession of the new rifle while their neighbours are stiil engaged in making the *Grat steps. Even the greatest activity in production, at home as well aa abroad, will not enable them to accumulate a sufficient supply within a year. The introduction of a new weapon always entails momentary weakness in a great army till the whole infantry, line, reserve, and Landwebr have been supplied with, and exercised in the use of it. This danger, however, has been as far as pos- sible diminished by the secrecy and dispatch observed, by the retention of the old ammunition, so that the supply in hand remains serviceable, and by the fact of the new rifle differing so slightly from the one formerly in use that in the event of a war breaking out suddenly it is hoped a short course of instruction given on the march would be sufficient to put the rawest recruit in complote command of his weapon. One disadvange, however, was unavoid- able It had been intended to introduce a smaller bore, thus rendering it possible for the men to carry a greater number of cartridges. This intention must be given up. Although no single part of the old rifle has been used in the construction of the new one, still, it i is only to be called the Infantry-Rifle M. 71-84, and not the magazine or repeating- rifle. This m ans that the rifle remains in principle the same as the one introduced in 18S4, having undergone no vital change. No special inventor can be mentioned, as this new system is the result of the united efforts of the Schiessschule (School of Musket.rv) and the gun manufactory. The military and political journals of the last few years havo so frequently pub- lished articles treating of the results obtained from the use of a smalter bore that the thought arises whether it might not have been advisable to adopt a smaller bore, which, while reducing the weight of the cartridges, would lend additional accuracy to the projectile. Even those who have only a su erScial knowledge of the working of the German Schiess- schule know with what excieme CHore every new invention is tested and how closely the slightest change in this department, either at home or abroad, is observed. The experiments until now mado with small bores have proved that it is possible to attain a better result; but there is no model of a smaller bore in existence which at all answers the demand for a really good weapon for war service. In saying that the charge is the same for both the old and now rifles, a little reservation must be made. The new German magazine rifle can be uaed as such, and also as a single-shooting breechloader. The cartridge of the new can indeed be used for tho old rifle, but the old ammunition will he available for the former only in the epqe of its not being used as a magazine rifle. To avoid the danger of an explosion taking place among the cartridges piled up in the magazine, the points of the new cartridge must be slightly blunted, so that it is somewhat shortened. This, however, is the sole difference, and would not prevent the Line and Landwchr mutually assisting each other in supplying ammunition in a case of necessity. The new weapon ia handy in form, a little shorter than the one formerly in use, and has no brass about it. In consequence of this shortening the centre of gravity falls mere towards the butt, thus facilitating its use when shooting without a rest. The stock remains unaltered, except that the magazine mechanism is placed on it nor has any important change been made in the barrel. The bayonet is shorter, and like a dagger. The Guards have retained the old form, the height of the men forming too great a contrast to that of the new rifle with the shortened bayonet. The sights are different from those formerly in use. Till now much was left, to the coolness and discretion of the marksman. He had always to consider whether he should aim at a distance of 200 or 300 metres, one or two heads lower, or at the feet of tho object. But now he will always have to aim at the middle of it. Tho sliding sight has also been improved by a spring mechanism which prevents it from sliding down after having been set right. As to the lock, it has remained unaltered in prin- ciple, but two important improvements have been in- troduce,J. While formerly the empty cartridge was removed by a pressure towards the right side, this.is now effected by an ejector which throws it out while drawing back the chamber. It was at first feared that this method might inconvenience those standing near, but experience has proved that this is by no means the ca-se. Another improvement is the possibility of a steady and equal pull of the trigger. The greatest, point of difference between the old and new models is an arrangement for loading where eight cartridges may be put in at the rame time. The cartridge magazine consists of a tube of thin steel plates inserted in the stock below the barrel. In this the cartridges, even when placed in the tube singly, are pressed downwards by a spiral spring. A so-called spoon-groove causes the cartridge to enter the breech-chamber of the barrel as soon as the breech action is set in motion. The usual way of using the rifle is as a single-shooting breech-loader. Should the command "Magazine fire" be given, then the rifleman has only to mo-To the little lever on the left side slightly backwards, and then the weapon is ready for use as a repeater. This action is so simple that a pretty-well practised marksman can work it simultaneously with the opening of the chamber of the rifle for loading. While shooting, the drawing back of the chamber must be effected with somewhat greater force than when the rifle is being used as a single shooter, because by this not only the empty cartridges is extracted, but at the same time the new one is lifted to the level of the breech-chamber of the barrel. With this weapon the rifleman can fire 10 times without reloading, for the magazine contains eight cartridges, and the barrel and the grcve one each. To reload the magazine eight cartridges are successively pushed in by the right thumb, an action which can be executed in 20 seconds. The cartridge, as already mentioned, remains exactly the same, with the exception of the point being a little blunted, so slightly, however, that only a well-practised eye can discern the difference. On this account it has been necessary to mark it in a dif- ferent manner. Something remains to be said about the mechanism, or, rather, about the loading. When the rifle is used as a single-shooter, except the re- moval of the empty cartridge, nothing has to be changed. But we have to do with not only one, but three different kinds of loading-the first with a single cartridge, and the arranging of the mechanism for that purpose. This way of loading, although the usual one in time of peace, especially at practice, will seldom or never be resorted to in war. In this case the second one will be the rule. To the word of command '• Load the word Magazine will be added, whereupon the feeding chamber will be loaded with eight cartridges. Then by a pressure of the right-hand thumb the rifle will be set as a single loader, the ninth cartridge put in, the barrel and the chamber closed and secured. In this manner the rifife will be used on all marches, and sentinel and patrol service in the time of war. And the man has, by pushing back the so-calied comb or lever, oommand over both ways of using his rifle-as single-loader or magazine. At the third manner of loading, to the command "Load the words are added, Magazine, ten cartridges." Then, besides the eight cartridges in the magazine, one is put into the groove and another into the barrel. When thus set, however, the mechanism must remain in its position for use as a magazine. This manner of loading will only be used on very prefsing occasions, when, for instance, it is known with certainty that a commencement will be made with magazine firing, or when a renewal of an inter- rupted magazine fire seems to be necessary. From this we may see what heavy demands must be made upon the training of every single soldier and their commander to prevent a very possible waste of ammunition. But this is merely a question of fire discipline, and has nothing to do with the rifle itself.

ATTEMPTED DYNAMITE OUTRAGE. One of the chief clerks at the Minstry of Public Works in Madrid on Saturday evening found on the staircase leading to the office of the Minister a conical cartridge 15 centimetres long, with lighted fuse burn- ing slowly. The clerk picked up the cartridge, cut the fuse off with a penknife, and the explosive was sent to be examined by competent authorities. The staircase where the explosive was found is only used by the Minister himself and the highest officials. Great vigilance is being exercised in all the public buildings, as these exploaives have evidently been placed by persons who are well acquainted with the Government offices.

A YOUNG lady being asked if there were many beautiful women in the place, innocently replied: Oh, no, there are only six of us at present

1. SALVATION ARMY HEADQUARTERS ON FIRE. Shortly after half-past three o'clock on Saturday afternoon a fire of an alarming character broke out at the headquarters of the Salvation Army in Queen Victoria-street, London. Flames were at first seen by a policeman issuing from the basement of the shop. Information was at once sent to the nearest fire station, and with very little delay two engines were on the spot and in operation. Attention was directed to the lower part of the premises, and in a short time the efforts of the men were successful, as the flames, which at first were licking np the front of the shop, were confined to the basement. Bv this time, considering the deserted state of the City on a Saturday afternoon, a large crowd bad gathered, and the police had all their work cut out to preserve order. In the space of half an hour the fire had greatly decreased, and it was soon apparent that the outbreak had been got under. Smoke and an occa- sional flame were to be seen issuing from be premises for some hours afterwards, but it appeared after all that the damage done was of a comparatively trifling character, as the flames did not reach the upper floors, —.—

PROBATB AND DIVORCE: On Saturday the official list of cases to be tried in the Probate and Divorce Division in the ensuing sittings was issued. Amongst the special jury actions are those of Winans v. Winans," and "Boucicault v. Boucicault," which !Jav:" not been disposed of, owing to commissions ordered for evidence. The appeal in the Colin Campbell suit before the Divi- sional Court is marked "stayed costs." Amongst the cases shortly to be heard is that relating to the will of the late Mr. Thomas Holloway, the well- known patent medicine vendor, who founded the Sanitorium at Virginia Water, and the college at Egham, which was opened by the Queen last year. He died on the 20th December, 1883, at Tittenburst, Sunninghill, Berks, at the ago of 82, possessed of between 7C2,000,000 and £3,000,000, mostlv realty. ihe plaintiff, Mrs. Caroline Y'oung, the only sister of the deceased, who takes no benefit whatever under the will, contests it principally on the ground of undue influence. The defendants are the exeiutors, Mr. George Martin Holloway and Mr. Henry Driver Holloway. Some startling and extraordinary evi- dence is expected to be given, and the case is likely to last a considerable time. Sir C. Russell, Q.C., Mr. Inderwick, Q.C., and Mr. Middleton have been retained for the plaintiff; and the Attorney-General (Sir JL Webster, Q.C.), Mr. Bayfocd, Q.C. and Mr. H. B. Deane for the defendants.

LONG CAVALRY RIDES. The Russians have lately performed some remark- able feats in the shape of long-distance rides, but we doubt whether, considering the conditions, any de- tachment of cavalry has ever come up to the sub- joined exploit. In the beginning of last mouth, the heat, p.nd dust being in Southern India very oppressive at that time of the year, a detachment, consisting of one officer, Lieutenant Brcadwood, Troop Sergeant- Major Lund, one farrier, and ten troopers of the 12th Royal Lancers, rode from Bangalore to Mysore, a distance of 180 miles, in 51 hours. The whole party belonged to one troop, and had not been pre- viously struck off duty or undergone any special pre- paration in fact, both men and horses had bivouacked out only two nights before. The horses were Aus- tralian, and two were led in case of casualties. One horse knocked up when :30 miles from home, but with that exception neither men nor horses suffered, and as a proof that they had some reserve strength at the end of the journey it may be mentioned that the last 21J miles were accomplished in three hours 2 including halts. The journey would have been per- formed in 48 hours had it not been for the fact that a bridge near Mysore had fallen in and that the de- tachment lost its way. This feat shows what can be done by British cavalry, if not codiled, aq our dragoon horses horses generally are, and as the horses of the German L'hlans are not.

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC ROUTE. Last season the first through trains made the pas- sage of the American continent by the newly-con- structed Canadian Pacific Railway. This season we are promised three steamers to be placed on the Pacific Ocean to complete the link between China, Japan, and Canada. This will really bring the route, as a whole scheme, into actual working, and its ad- vantages as against the old routes, via Suez and via. San Francisco, will be put to a practical test. Three boats of very fair speed have been chartered for the route, and we must now await the results, Ihe estimate for time at present is—-from Hongkong to Japan five days, Yokohama to Vancouver 12"days, bix days to cross the continent, and six and a-half to cross the Atlantic Ocean. This totals 29.V days' actual travelling time by the route, and to this two and a-half days at least, must be added for delays, say, at Yokohama and New York. Thirty-three days would not be bad time from Hongkong, while from Yokohama (deducting five days for passage from Hong- kong thither and two days for detention) the time would be 2Gdays. To Hongkong the time is virtually the same as that prcvided for in the new contract between her Majesty's Government and the Peninsular and Oriental Company. Since the notice was issued we believe one or two modifications have been suggested. Thus it is pro- bable the first steamer will not leave Hongkong until about the middle of May, so as to be in Japan after the opening of the tea season, and thus secure some of the first teas. Some 15,000 tons were despatched from J'aptn by sailing ships last season, chartered by the Canadian Pacific Railway, but this of course it unsatisfactory vis-a-vis bteam. It is hoped that the line will subsequently be three-weekly. We learn that it is not contemplated to enter on a war of rates with the existing companies running to San Francisco— that i", as far as freight is concerned. But in the matter of passages, however, we trust that a consider- able reduction will be brought about. There is no doubt that the present rate of 250 dols. from Yoko- hama to San Francisco is about the most exorbitant in the world. We hope the Canadian Pacific Rail- way's ideas are, say, about ISO dols or 100 dols. less than the present, when the through rate frorr Hong- kong to London by this route will be about 330 dols. There can be no doubt that if inducements are thus given to passengers the Canadian Pacific route will como into favour; especially will a cool-weathor route be an inducement, over the Red Sea, to those who have just passed through a hot, trying summer, and are homeward bound. It is, of course, well known that the Canadian Pacific Railway authorities arc endeavouring to get a subsidy for this line of steamers from the Imperial Parliament. At the present time they are most energetically working, and have won over many sup- porters to their side. The grounds are, of course, more-on Imperial necessity than as a postal route. The company tendered for the mails for China, but unsuccessfully should they at length succeed it will be on grounds similar to those on which the Ounard Company's steamers are secured to the Government, as transports and cruisers. The Canadian Pacific Company are, we believe, willing if a subsidy is granted to place vessels on the line capable of steaming 14 knots, built to suit the Admiralty transport re- quirements, and for conversion into armed merchant cruisers in time of war. As the Canadian Pacific Railway offers an alternative route to India, and as the possession of a fleet of capable vessels on the Pacific is needed as a corollary to the railway-if the route is to be considered as an effective alternative one-it is on grounds of public expedience that the subsidy is asked. In this the Government naturally have to move circumspectly. Subsidies of this nature are not usually granted in Great Britain, and very strong inducements have to be advanced to obtain them.—Loudon and China Telegraph.

Miss MADE-UP OLDC.IM- Yes, I love the old oak, it is associated with so many happy hours spent beneath its shade. It carries me back to my child- hood, when-when-Young Foodie: When you- er-planted it ? I MUST get married, said a bachelor to a married friend, for I never can find a button on a clean shirt. —Take care, said the Benedict, with a sigh, or you may chance upon a wife who will not find you a clean shirt to button. THE most amusing man in the world is a French- man in a passion trying to vent his rage in English. —By gar, you call my vife a voman three several times once more, and I vill call the vatch-house and blew off your brain like a candle. A GEORGIA young man asked his sweetheart if she bad ever read Romeo and Juliet." She replied that she had read Romeo, but she did not think she had ever read Juliet. >