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.COURT AND SOOIETY
COURT AND SOOIETY [FROM "THE WORLD."] The demise of the venerable Duchess of Cambridge within three months of completing her ninety-second year. and just ten days after congratulating her son on the morning of his seventieth birthday, severs the last remaining link which connects the Court of George II I. with that of his granddaughter. Although the Duchess was able to receive the representatives of four generations of her relatives, who brought her their presents as usual on the 25th of last July, it was only too evident that her strength was failing fast, and in the following month she took to her bed, from which she never again rose, although some of the daily newspapers speak gravely of her last public appearance as having taken place when her son and daughter dined at St. Jamas's Palace on the 26th of last month. Augusta Wilhelmina Louisa of Cambridge died in the fulness of years of the gradual decay of her otherwise perfectly healthy bodily -powers. There was no pain at the last, and although she was unable to listen any longer to the martial music she loved so well, the piano was wheeled inte her bed- room, so that she might enjoy the singing and play- ing of Signor Tosti. Her memory retained its full vigour almost to the end, and she could recollect the events of the day quite as distinctly as she could the conversations of George III. and Queen Charlotte, and such remote events as her standing on the terrace at Rumpenheim and seeing Napoleon riding away after his defeat at Leipsic. The attack of apoplexy, which produced partial paralysis, occurred at Strelitz as far back as November 1873; but her sufferings were alleviated and her life prolonged by the skill of Sir Oscar Clayton and the unselfish devotion of Lady Geraldine Somerset, who tended her Royal mistress with a devotion and assiduity rarely equalled and never surpassed. The Duchess of Cambridge in spite of her kindness of heart, was a woman of iron will and indomitable energy. She entertained decided opinions on certain subjects, and never failed to express them. In her George IV. always found a courageous champion, for she never forgot the kindness of her brother-in-law, whose miniature, surrounded by diamonds, was one of her most prized treasures. No one ever bore intense suffering with greater fortitude. In the pre- Palmerston days she was an admirable hostess, and she could tell many diverting stories of the great artistes of that period who frequented the salons of Cambridge House. Her strength of mind undoubtedly helped her to recover from several severe attacks of illness which would have proved fatal to ordinary mortals and it is asserted that the Queen was once summoned to see her in extremis, but found her aunt taking a drive, in defiance of the commands of her physician. Sir Oscar Clayton had only just quitted the palace on Saturday morning when his illustrious patient passed peacefully away. His telegram to Windsor announcing the event reached the Queen during a Council, but her Majesty hastened to London and spent an hour at St. James's Palace. She has inti- mated her intention of settling herself every detail connected with the funeral and the mourning. The wealth of the late Duchess of Cambridge has been much exaggerated, and it is an open secret that she made large gifts to her relatives during her lifetime. General Fulke-Greville is the only person who really knows how she has disposed of her property. Rum- penheim, the ancient family castle near Frankfort- on-Main, where she spent her childhood, now re- verts to the more remote heirs of her father, the Landgrave of Hesse-Casssel, and will not descend to her children. Sir Francis ftrenfell is not to have the rank of major-general yet awhile. It was reported some time ago that the promotion was to he granted in recog- nition of his services at Suakim in December last. The military authorities having fully considered his case lately, have decided that the skirmish before Suakim, brilliant as it no doubt was in its way, and creditable as it unquestionably was to the officer who planned and carried it out, was not of a nature to justify a reward which ought only to be given in exceptional cases. Colonel Grenfell is on what is known as the selection list, and will become a general officer in about two years' time. As he is a com- paratively young man, he can afford to wait. He will be 48 at the end of this month. An officer who obtains general's rank, as he will, at 50 does not do badly. One of Mr. Bright's good stories of the stormy days of the Anti-Corn-Law League was to this effect At one of the committee meetings a good deal of des- pondency prevailed, tor some reason or other, with regard to their prospects of success. A messenger arrived unexpectedly, and handed in the following resolution from one of the branches: Go on; Kirk- burton will stand by you." The thing passed into a phrase, he would say, and whenever we were dis- heartened one would say to another. Let us go on, for Kirkburton will stand by us. Kirkburton, thus, it may be, immortalised, is a large village near Huddersfield. [FROM "THCTH.] Her Majesty will probably abandon her projected visit to Sandringham in consequence of the death of the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Queen now in- tends to remain at Windsor until she goes to Bal- moral on May 22. The duchess was the last survivor of the George IV. generation of the Royal Family, and she was decidedly the most estimable and the most talented of them. She had known intimately a host of dis- tinguished persons, both at home and abroad, and she could tell many good stories about them. The duchess was much beloved by her relatives, and formerly her popularity in society was unbounded. She was a woman of distinguished accomplishments, a most enthusiastic musician, had a very fine manner, and always displayed great tact and good feeling. When the duchess came to England on her marriage in 1818, she was warmly welcomed, and she was far more liked and esteemed than either the Duchess of Kent or the Duchess of Cumberland. Mr. Charles Greville has recorded that she was received "in a most flattering manner." In 1820, the Duke and Duchess went to Hanover, where he acted as Viceroy for seventeen years, and his successful administration was mainly due to the good influence of his wife. They returned to England in 1837, and from that period until the duchess commenced to lead a life of retirement, the Cambridges prac- tically represented the Royal family in society, as the Queen and Prince Albert went out very little, and only in State. The marriage of the Prince of Wales was a great gratification to the duchess, the Princess being her grand-niece. The Duke of Cambridge is to go to Brussels in June, to unveil the monument which has been erected in the principal cemetery there over the graves of the British officers who died of wounds received at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. Lady Cowell, the wife of Sir John Cowell, the popu- lar Master of the Household, has just succeeded to the Clifton Castle estate, in the North Riding of York- shire, by the death of her mother, Mrs. Pulleine, who was the widow of Mr. James Pulleine, for many years chairman of the North-Eastern Railway. The marriage of the Duke of Portland and Miss Dallas Yorke will take place in town during the week after Ascot. It is really becoming almost impossible to get a decent butler. If anyone advertises for one a lot of broken-down, red-nosed, dirty fingered persons appear, and condescendingly state that they will con- sider if the situation suits; and yet a butler gets lodging, food, and about £ 50 a year. A friend of mine was only asking me what he could do to get a respectable man-servant, having gone through a lengthy series of men, who were either knaves or fools. I suggested some ex-soldier, who had been an officer's servant, but he did not seem to know how to get such a person. If any officer can recommend such a man, who understands his business, is reliable, and does not get drunk, here is a chance for him. Lord Salisbury's annual timber sale on his Dorset- shire estate, which contains extensive woods, has just been held at Cranborne, and the prices were higher than even last year, when they were excep- tionally good. A large and valuable consignment of Clydesdale horses is about to be despatched from Glasgow to Manitoba. This is the first shipment of Clydesdales to Manitoba, and it will probably prove to be the opening of an extensive and lucrative trade in the exportation of these horses, the American demand for which increases every yfar.
[No title]
MR. PEEWIT (goaded into reckless action by the impetuous Mrs. )'.)' "1-1-1 fhall report you to your master, conductor, for not putting us down at the corner." Conductor: Lor' bless yer 'art, sir, it ain't my master as I'm afeard on I'm like you—it's my missus!"
FROM THE" COMIOS."
FROM THE" COMIOS." [FROJI PUNCH."] THE HEIGHT OF EXCLI:.SIYENESS.—She: I believe you know my neighbours, the Chesterfield Browns?" He: Haw—well—A~L go to the house, don'tcher- know, and dine with 'em occasionally, and all that —but I'm not on speaking terms with 'em!" IMPORTANT EUROPEAN QUESTION*. A telegram last week informed us that "The Hereditary Prince of Nassau, who has been at Loo, has gone to the Hague. Did the Hereditary win or lose at Loo ? Did he take Miss ?" If the Prince has given up Loo, what, at present, is his little game ? MR. MILVAIS, Q.C., has re-introduced his new bill relating to whipping criminals. It will, of course, be retrospective in its operations. ELECTRIFYING !-In a speech last week, Lord Craw- ford is reported to have said, My Corporation pro- poses to take a large area." This was a propos of the project of "The Electric Lighting Supply Corpora tion for illuminating the metropolis. His lordship also remarked that his Corporation was going to creep from several centres." Whereupon Mr. Will, Q.C., M.P., asked him "from how many centres the Corporation proposed to creep ?" (Laughter). W there's a Will there's always a way of getting a laugh with a good audience. But why wasn't Mr. Lock- wood, Q.C. (Quizzing Counsel), present to illustrate it? A RAHE LEADER OF MEN.—General Boulanger nas made himself scarce. PROBABLE NEW AND INTERESTING WORK. I he Can-Can and How to dance iU or Some Reminiscences of Mabille. By Mr. Justice Field. [" We are men of the world. We have all seen it-at least, I have seen it at the Mabille."—Times report of Mr. Justice Field's observations in Barnes v. Ledger.] [FBOM "FUN." J THE dispute between England and the Sultan of Morocco having been settled, the British men of war have sailed from the Mooiish coast. It is, perhaps, superfluous to add that they left of their own accord, and were not Moored off. Let us hope the engage- ment on the part of Morocco will be binding. THE SHORT CUT.— Ceusin Jack (medical student, and such a tease): Well, bye-bye. Oh, by the way, I'm sorry to see that your little pug has strongly developed spinal curvature." Duet: "Oh, how dread- ful What can we do ?" Cousin Jack: Well, you see, it's confined to the caudal vertebra as yet. I can only suggest amputation of the affected part. [ Heats hasty retreat.] No one but a downright ass would think of apply- ing, as that idiot Brakenby did, to a drain-pipe maker with, Do you sell sinks ?" Yes, sir, what did you want—scullery sink, or ?" "No; I wanted one of the celebrated sinks of iniquity." [FROM JUDY."] BLESS HIS LITTLE HEART.— Village Tailor: "Oh, was that yer little Johnny that broke my winder, yesterday ?" Fond Parent: Shouldn't wonder. (With pride). The young varmint's gettin' that play- ful, yer never know what he is arter." AN UNGENTLEMANLT A-Niusr, -NIE-, T-B(ISE -ball. RE-DRESS FOR THE LADIES.—According to a Paris correspondent, some of the newest ball dresses in the gay capital are composed entirely cf ribbons. It is by no meanti a novelty for ladies to return from a ball with their dresses in ribbons, but a confection made up exclusively of streamers ought to take the cake." The beau sexe has always shown a natural partiality for bows nevertheless, a lady (other than a chorus-sylph) appearing in public clad only in a a few yards of ribbon would soon find her a-dress at Coventry PLACE Aux Damns, as the Frenchman said when he tried to swear in English. A CATCH-PENNY—An automatic machine, I REVISED PROVERBS. What the eye does not see may be made visible with the aid of a telescope. One good turn is as much as you can expect from even the best coats. Where there is a will there is generally a job for the lawyers. What is good for the goose is not bad for the duck —viz., sage and onions. Every man for himself and the workhouse for us all1 Any port in a storm—mulled, with a little nutmeg and sugar, but take care that it is port. Every mickle shows that the speaker has come fra' far north. Two heads are better than one, except they happen to knock together in the dark. Exercise your risible faculties and increase your adipose tissue. The complexion'of his Satanic majesty is not of so sombre a hue as has been portrayed. Every member of the canine species is possessed of his diurnal period. Any haven of refuge during a meteorological dis- turbance of the elements. One individual suffering from chronic weakness of intellect has the property of creating a multitude of similar unfortunates. Two are company and three are none, unless duly registered under the Act. Patience and water gruel are good for the gout, but mighty unpleasant for the patient. There's no fool like an old fool, except a young one. It's a difficult job to take the breeks off a High- lander or put them on an Irishman when he doesn't want to wear them. Late to bed and early to rise leads to much yawn- ing and rubbing of eyes. You may take a horse to the water, but you must not make a pony take the air with a parachute. Spare the boy and save the rod until you want to go fishing. An individual lamentably deficient in common sense is rapidly deprived of any pecuniary advantages that he may have possessed. It is the last boa that breaks the husband's bank. To owe is human, to PlY divine. It is a long cane that can give a fool learning. [FROM "FUNNY FOLKS."] SHELVED.—Mamma (who is putting away the pre- serves) Whatever are you thinking of Bertie ?" Bertie: Well, mummy dear, I was just thinking that when I grow to be a man, and have a nice little boy, I won't keep the jam on the top shelf CASH V. KUDOS. [A bill providing for the payment of M.P.'s is spoken of.] From this 'twould seem our friend the great M.P. An honorary post objects to fill And, wishing to be paid, appropriately Presents his little bill!
EXECUTION AT SWANSEA.
EXECUTION AT SWANSEA. Thomas Allen was executed at Swansea Gaol on Wednesday morning for the murder of Mr. Frederick George Kent, landlord of the Gloucester Hotel, Swan- sea, in February. The murderer was found in Mrs. Kent's bedroom in the early morning, and in a struggle Mr. Kent was fatally cut with a razor. Mrs. Kent, coming to her husband's assistance, fired a re- volver at her husband's assailant, wounding him. Since his conviction Allen has made no statement, but cn Tuesday night he wrote to Mrs. Kent asking her forgiveness, which he received. He slept from midnight until five a.m. on Wednesday, but only took a small breakfast. He walked firmly to the scaffold, repeating the burial service after the chaplain. The cap having been drawn over his face, the condemned man was heard to repeat, -1 lord, have mercy on my soul. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Berry was the executioner. At an inquest on the body of Allen it was stated by Dr. Howell, the prison surgeon, that death did not take place until two or two and a half minutes after the bolt was drawn. The witness thought that the drop should have been a few inches longer.
--_-----A PROSPEROUS PICKPOCKET.
A PROSPEROUS PICKPOCKET. At Worcestershire Quarter Sessions on Tuesday David Robins was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude for pocket-picking. Police evidence showed that he bad been a habitual pickpocket since 1878, when he was first sentenced in Hampshire. Since that time he had been many times convicted. A box belonging to him was found at a lodging-house in Worcester. It contained a number of gold and silver watches, a Post Office Savings Bank book showing deposits in his name to the amount of 1195, and a National Provincial Bank deposit-receipt in his name for £ 730. It is believed that the convict's savings have all been come by dishonestly. b
BOUCICAULT DIVORCE CASE.
BOUCICAULT DIVORCE CASE. In the Divorce Division, on Tuesday, 31r. Justice Butt had before him an important application in the case of Boucicault v. Boucicault. The petition, it will be remembered, was that of Mrs. Agnes Boucicault for a divorce, the respondent being Mr. Dion Bouci- ( caalt, the well-known author and actor. She ob- tained a decree nisi, and it had since been made ab- solute, thus finally dissolving the marriage. Some short time back Mr. Dion Boucicault married at New York Miss Josephine Thorndyke. After the decree was made absolute a summons was taken out for payment out of Court of a sum of money which had been paid in by Mr. Samuel French, of the Strand, being the proceeds of copy- right which originally belonged to Mr. Dion Boucicault. It had been heard in Chambers, and referred to open court for argument. During the pro- gress of the suit an order was made for payment of alimony, but it was stated that not one farthing had ever been paid by the respondent to the petitioner. An order was also made for a receiver on February 15, 1887, and an application was made to discharge that order on the ground that the copyright had been assigned to a gentleman in New York of the name of Cadogan. The learned judge directed that Mr. Cadogan be rt presented, and he had been served by registered letter. On March 25, 1886, the document was alleged to have been executed which purported to assign to Mr. Cadogan all the copyrights and stage rights in the dramatic plays of Mr. Dion Boucicault, in England, America, and Australia, in trust for his wife, Josephine Thorndyke Boucicault. The matter was before the court some weeks back, and was ad- journed until now, as the affidavits were deficient. Mr. Shearman appeared for Mrs. Agnes Boucicault (who was in court), and Mr. Banks for Mr. Cadogan. Mr. Shearman having referred to these facts, said that Mrs. Boucicault asked that & sum of JE200 paid into court, the proceeds of certain royalties of copyrights originally belonging to Mr. Dion Boucicault might be paid out to the petitioner in satisfaction of £ 800 owing to her for alimony pendente lite. By order of the court she was to receive alimony at the rate of L450 a year. The learned counsel referred to the deed of assignment to Mr. Cadogan. Mr. Justice Butt remarked that there had been no proof of the execution of the deed. Mr. Banks said it had been assumed between the parties that the deed was properly executed. Mr. Shearman said there was no proof. Until ten months after its execution there was no knowledge of its existence. He contended that the assignment was a fraudulent one within the meaning of the statute of Elizabeth. First of all, there was the secresy of the trans- action, while it was written on a sheet of note paper and only recently stamped. Mr. Justice Butt said that the principal point in the case was whether the deed of assignment was good or bad. Mr. Shearman, in conclusion, ui ged that in any circumstances it was given for an immoral con- sideration, therefore it was bad, and should be set aside, because Miss Thorndyke was not his wife at the time: Mr. Banks then addressed the court on behalf of Mr. Cadogan. In answer to the learned judge, he said that there was no affidavit from Mr. Cadogan, nor did he know who that gentleman was. He gave his address at some hotel." (Laughter.) Mr. Justice Butt said that he was rather in doubt of Mr. Cadogan's existence, especially in the absence of an affidavit from him. They had not the slightest notion who he was, and it looked as if he were a creation like a character in one of the plays. (Laughter.) They had not even got his photograph. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Banks contended that the onus of showing that the deed was fraudulent lay on the other side to prove. The learned counsel quoted a number of cases to show that the deed was not fraudulent and void, and that the object of the re- spondent was not, as was alleged, to defeat his creditors. There was no evidence whatever that at the time be executed the deed he had any notion whatever that Mrs. Boucicault intended to take pro- ceedings against him. Her story was that she only meant to institute her divorce suit if he came to this country with the woman who passed as his wife. His Lordship, in giving his decision, said it was alleged that an assignment had been made to Mr. Cadogan, but he (Mr. Justice Butt) had not been in- formed who that person was, nor was there an affidavit from him. Having regard to all the circum- stances of the case, he had not the faintest doubt in the world that this document, if made at all, was made with the express purpose and intention of defeating the claims which the respondent knew might supervene from his marrying a woman at the time his wife was alive. Therefore it was bad and absolutely void. He directed that the money be paid to the petitioner.
GREAT HOME RULE MEETING,
GREAT HOME RULE MEETING, Sir William Hareourt addressed a great meeting held under the chairmanship of Professor Stuart, in St. James's Hall, in London, on Wednesday evening. He again condemned the way in which the Attorney- General had conducted the limm? case, and eulogised Sir Charles Russell's address, declaring that Sir Charles bad proved that this was an attempt to indict a nation. The Government had staked their fortune upon one card, and had lost. As to Ireland, he prophesied that coercion would last only as long as the present Parliament. Referring to the Birmingham election, he said that as Napoleon was asked after Sedan what he had done with France, so Mr. Chamberlain should be asked what he had done with Birmingham. What was hap- pening at Birmingham showed that the Dissentients could only be saved on the condition of their own bondage. Mr. Sexton also made an important speech showing what the Irish cause bad gained by the delay arising from the defeat of Mr. Gladstone's pro- posals.
CHARGE OF CHILD MURDER,
CHARGE OF CHILD MURDER, At Chesterfield, on Tuesday, Mary Ann Whitfield was brought before the magistrates charged with murdering her two children, Alfred Vickers Whitfield and Ernest Whitfield in June last for the sake of the money for which she had insured their lives. The evidence showed that the prisoner was very much addicted to drink. In June last Alfred, aged 10 years, was suddenly taken ill, exhibited symptoms of poison- ing, and died. The mother was drunk at the funeral, and immediately drew the insurance money. Ernest, aged eight, was taken ill 17 days afterwards, and died. He exhibited the same symptoms as his brother. The husband exhibited the same symptoms, as did also Mrs. Whitfield, when she in February attempted to commit suicide. The suspicions of the police and doctors were aroused, and the Home Secretary ordered the exhumation of the bodies. The post-mortem ex- amination revealed marked traces of poisoning in Ernest, but owing to decomposition all traces of poison ha I disappeared in the other child. The coroner's jury had returned a verdict of wilful murder in the case of Ernest. The woman was committed to the Assizes on the capital charge, and also on the charge of attempted suicide.
EPITOME OF NEWS.
EPITOME OF NEWS. Two farmers' societies in Scotland have been discuss- ing the Ashbourne Act. One club resolved to petition the Government to extend the Act to Scotland, but the other rejected the Act, and resolved instead that a vote of money for the promotion of agriculture was expedient in the present crisis. Now that the docks are completed, a very large fish traffic has been developed at Milford Haven, and is rapidly increasing. Tons of fish are being landed daily, and despatched to London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and other places by rail. Extensive siding accommo- dation for the coaling of steamers and trawlers is being provided, so as to meet the increasing coaling traffic to the docks and pier. A well-known shipbuilding firm have taken over the steel works close to the docks, and will carry on there shipbuilding on a large scale, and employ a considerable number of workmen. A number of leading solicitors, in town and country, are promoting a banquet to be given to the Attorney- General, after the Easter vacation, by that branch of legal profession, in testimony of the respect and esteem with which he is regarded by its members. The chair will be taken by Mr. Gregory, many years M.P. for East Sussex. Sir John Thursby, who is the lessee of Panmure House, the Earl of Dalhousie's principal seat in Forfar- shire (on which estate there is some of the best partridge shooting in Scotland), intends to hunt an ex- tensive district in the neighbourhood with his pack of harriers, and he is about to build new kennels and stables at Crottal Moor, near Carnoustie. A movement is on foot in the House of Commons to induce the Admiralty to grant some special reward to Captain Kane and the officers and crew of the Calliope, for the gallant and seamanlike manner in which they got their ship out of Apia Harbour, Samoa, during the 1 hurricane which wrecked the German and American squadrons. A meeting of KTO merchants, convened by Lord Cross, will shortly be held at the India Office. One of the topics for discussion will be the imparities found in Indian wheat, the sale of which is thus interfered with. Though this wheat itself is a favourite with millers, all kinds of refuse and miscellaneous matter are found in it—dead rats and mice and pieces of rock have been mixed with the grain. One well-known e-oru- dealer, however, has no right to complain of what he discovered in some Indian wheat consigned to brm. He picked out of it a costly diamond ring, which he now wears. The Egyptian Government has decided on authoris- ing the construction of several tramways, namely, one from Old Cairo to the Abassieh, with a branch from the About-Ela Bridge to Boulak two lines from the El Lemoun Bridge, one of which will follow the Choubra- avenue, and the other the Sablieh-road and finally a I tramway from the Kasr-el Nil Bridge to the Pyramids, with a branch line to the Boulak Dacrour Railway- station. Four Russian officers have made a bet to ride from St. Petersburg to Paris in 45 days. Having got leave from the Minister of War, they are to start in the begin- ning of May. Now it is 1700 miles from St. Petersburg to Paris, and therefore they will have to ride at the rate of nearly 38 miles a day to win. Kothingrs said about relays of houses. It is reported that the late Duchess of Cambridge left Signor Tosti an annuity of £ 500. The four sons of the King of Siam, who with their tutors and suite have been travelling through India and on the continent of Europe, have just arrived in London, and, it is said, intend making a stay of some months in this country, returning to Bangkok by the United States, Japan, and China. M. Secretan, of Paris, whose financial downfall was attributable to the non-success of the copper monopoly, of which scheme he was himself the author, has divided his picture gallery—worth several millions of francs- amongst his creditors. He has reserved the right of redeeming the paintings on payment of a sum agreed upon. The Cumberland Agricultural Society have resolved on contesting before the Board of Trade the proposed classification made by the railway companies. A curious example of the inequality of railway rates has come to light in Yorkshire, where nine fat cattle are conveyed to market, Leeds or Wakefield, at the same cost as 40 fat sheep, though the cattle weigh 450 stone, and the sheep only 240 stone. The New Zealander farmer is content to receive his 2|d. per lb. for delicious mutton. Austria has one lady oculist. Madame Kersch- baumer, M.D., has her residence at Salzburg. The negotiations having in view some collective action for the abolition of slavery in Africa are being actively carried on by the German Government. The Paris Temps says that several Powers, notably France, have been sounded on the subject, and are disposed to agree to an international conference on the slavery question. Mr. Muntz means to, early in May, ask his brother legislators to adopt the principle of State-aided agricul- tural schools. Every afternoon the grand boulevards in Paris and the Champs Elysees are crowded with arrogant people of both sexes, who swagger about with an octagonal pink card tied to their button-holeq-the entrance card of the subscribers to the Concours Hippique. Thegreat thing nowadays in the French capital is to be a sports- man or a sportswoman, to frequent the races, to bet, and to be horsey." A little cross-fire is going on between certain French and German patriots or Chauvinists—call them what you will. It is all about the language the Duke of Nassau will use in Luxemberg. The French Temps in- sists that he must take the oath in French. Being a erman, he will probably adopt the customs of the country, but he is not likely to pay any regard to the susceptibilities of France in doing so. Thanks to improved machinery and the establishment susceptibilities of France in doing so. Thanks to improved machinery and the establishment of dairy associations, a vast stride has been taken in the direction of making New Zealand an English dairy farm. One of the many dairy associations located at A Auckland is already turning oat over 2000 pounds of butter daily and as this can now be delivered in London in five or six weeks' time as fresh and as good as it leaves the dairy, there is practically no limit to the industry. The County Gentleman hears that the Prince of Wales will ask for a provision this year for his daughters, and that the sum will be JE3000 per annum cach. No less than £ 4.213.000 worth of fish were landed last year on the coasts of England and Wales, while only the comparatively insignificant amount of £511,000 worth went to Ireland. It is understood that the Emperor William will visit the Queen this year at Osborne, and, according to present arrangements, the Emperor does not propose to visit London. He will, however, attend a grand naval review at Spithead. A considerable German fleet will escort him to the Solent. The London County Council propose to erect a central morgue for the metropolis, to which all uniden- tified bodies may be taken. The want of such an insti- tution has been greatly felt, especially by people from the provinces searching for missing relatives. The Hon. Mrs. Bulkeley-0 wen has written a letter on l the subject of education in Wales in olden days, tp the editor of the Csa-est,-j < .J f1¡.¡.tIH';r. ibe e.' i/ points out by an extract from the Tolo MSS. that in early ages there were schools and colleges in Wales, attended by numerous pupils and students. The Welsh word "Bangor" signifies a high choir, college, or uni- versity, and Mrs. Bulkeley-Owen states that no less than 15 bangors are mentioned in old MSS. The bangors existed before the monasteries were established, and some afterwards became monasteries. The letter is an interesting one. The German Shakespeare Society w 11 celebrate the 25th anniversary of its foundation at Weimar on Shakespeare's birthday, the 23rd of April. The Empress Frederick was really the founder of the Berlin Home for British and American Governesses, and still takes a deep interest in its welfare. The total weight of all the fish landed on British and Irish shores last year was 575,000 tons, of which nearly 250,000 tons were taken inland by rail. Yon Moltke has a high opinion of Prince Alexander of Battenberg. He describes him as the ablest strategist among the younger generation of European Generals." Eating tea-leaves is the latest fancy in the United States. The habit is said to be far more pernicious than drinking alcohol to excess, for the tea-leaves pro- duce the wildest type of intoxication. They lose their intoxicating qualities when boiled. A singularly affectionate feeling for his horses and dogs seems (says the Graphic) to have been enter- tained by a Mr. William C!apcott Bean, who bequeathed an annuity of no less than JE750. for 50 years, to be applied to keeping in care and comfort the eight horses and ponies /exclusive of cart horses^ and the dogs which he left behind him in stable and kennel respectively. The will coming before Mr. Justice North, one of the questions for his decision was whether the annuity being charged upon the testator's real estate, the bequest was not void under the Mortmain Acts. This question he decided in favour of the dumb objects of the testator's benevolence, holding that the bequest was not to a charity, but for the purpose of supporting particular horses and dogs. If it had been made. say to a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, it would, the Judge intimated, being chargeable on real estate, have been void in law. The splendid estate of Whittlebury, in South North- amptonshire, which the late Sir Robert Loder purchased from Lord Southampton's trustees, is to be sold in the summer. Sir Robert spent an immense amount of money at Whittlebury, rebuilding the house and stables on a sumptuous scale, and laying out the gardens and the grounds, which are very pretty, while the park is one of the finest in the county. The new tennis court is a great feature. The estate extends 6600 acres, and it is not supposed that it will change hands under £ 350,000. Whittleburyisintbecentreof a first-rate hunting country, and the shooting is now very good. Three agricultural bills have recently passed their second reading in the House of Commons. The first is the Weights and Measures Bill, which chiefly relates to the inspection and verification of weighing instru- ments, and weights and measures, and to the sale of coal. The second is the Agricultural Holdings (Scot- land) Bill, which greatly simplifies and cheapens pro- ceedings in cases of dispute between landlord and tenant. The last is a measure for regulating the sale of horseflesh as human food. It requires the registra- tion of every horseflesh shop, and the presentation of a label, on which the word" horseflesh" is legibly printed, to every purchaser. Barley in 1888, according to a Government return recently issued, was sold in the largest quantities at the following towns Norwich, 175,655 qrs. Berwick, 83,284 qrs.; Lincoln, 70,944 qrs. Bury St. Edmunds, 64,604qrs. Ipswich, 54,330 qrs. Chelmsford, 52,800 qrs. London, 51,921 ors. Burton, 51,371 qrs. Fakenham, 45,761 qrs.; Colchester, 38,448 qrs. Salis- bury, 37,960 qrs. Bishops Stortford, 37,478 qrs. and Leeds, 30,896 qrs. These sales are of British barley exclusively. Of foreign barley a million qrs. are sold yearly in London alone. The Twenty-Sixth Annual Show of Horses at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, will be held on June 8, and will remain open for a week. The prize list is a very liberal one, and there are a number of new classes. Mr. Leeds and Mr. Gilbey are managers in whom exhibitors will have full confidence. Earlier in the season, on May 15 and five following days, a big Horse Show is to be held at Olympia under the patronage of Lord Alfred Fitzroy and Lord Alexander Paget. Further particulars will shortly be forthcoming. The Queen haA been pleased to approve of (M Domination of the Venerable Archdeacon Croeithwaite to be Bishop-Suffragan of Beverley, in the Province of York. The American delegates to the Samoan Conference, Messrs. Kasson, Phelps, and Bates, have sailed for Europe. It is thought that Prince Bismarck will refuse to receive Mr. Bates on account of an article written by him bitterly assailing Germany. M. Chevreul, the eminent chemist, passed away in Paris on Tuesday in his lo3rd yr. The death of his only son, which took place thret weeks ago, had been concealed from him. The debate in the French Charsjber on the report of the committee upon the bill to determine the procedure of the High Court of Justice for the trial of General Boulanger, came on Tuesday. A number of amend- ments were brought forward and defeated. Shortly after ten p.m. the Chamber divided on the whole bill, which was carried by 31? votes against 205. Sir W. Lawson. M.P., was present on Tuesday even ing at the annual meeting of tke Harrow Liberal Association, and in the course of a humorous speech condemned the action of the Government in England and Ireland. Mr. Conway, M.P., also spoke. The sentence of four months' imprisonment passed on Mr. Finucane, M.P., under the Crimes Act, was confirmed by County Court Judge Purcell at Limerick on Tuesday. Mr. Sheehy's sentences of six and four months were reduced to one term of fife months. A demonstration, attended by some of the Liberal members for London constituencies, was held on Tues- day evening in the Victoria Hall, Victoria-park, Mr. George Howell presiding. Sir George Trevelyan, in the course of an address on current politics, criticised the policy of the Government in Ireland. Mr. Balfour had said that the Government were with great success suppressing real crime. He denied that they were doing this. Real crimes were not punished under the Crimes Act. The first meeting of the creditors of Lord Francis Cecil, second son of the Marquis of Exeter, was held in the London Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday. Against liabilities £ 22,000 there were assets amounting to only JE300 13s. 8d. No offer being made, it was resolved to wind up in bankruptcy. At the Marylebone Police-court on Tuesday a young man, named Charles Burgess, was committed for trial on charges of stealing a handbag containing money and a purse containing menev from ladies in the street. The prisoner was arrested mainly through the brave conduct of Mrs. Hillier, of Chapel-place. Edgware-road, who, when a gentleman was struggling with him on the ground, seized him by the throat, and held him till a policeman arrived. The deaths registered in London last week, 1572, were 251 below the average in the corresponding weeks of the last ten years. The death-rate per 1000, which had been 19-7, 18 6, and 17'7 in the three preceding weeks, rose again last week to 18 "8. In the thirteen weeks of last quarter the death-rate was 19-5 per 1000, and 3'9 per 1000 below the mean rate in the cor- responding periods of the ten years 1879-88. At Exeter, on Tuesday, two men, who were a week since engaged in a prize fight which lasted for over an hour, were brought before the county magistrates, and each sentenced to three weeks' hard labour. The men were named Atkins and Mason, and they had chal- lenged each other through the newspapers. A curious discovery has just been made in the neigh- bourhood of one of the Spithead forts. The tender of the Excellent was on Friday of last week at gunnery practice, when the crew, while engaged in grappling for shot, found a 12-pounder gun, which has been got up, and turns out to be at least 100 years old. How the gun, which was brought to the Gun Wharf at Ports- mouth, got to where it was found is a mystery, as no vessel carrying such armament could have approached such a spot. At Tuesday's meeting of the London County Council, held at the Guildhall under the presidency of Lord Rosebery, it was resolved that a special meeting should take place on Friday in order to clear off the arrears of business on the notice paper. The committee ap- pointed to consider the subject of the acquisition of suitable premises recommended that the offices at Spring-gardens should be enlarged at an estimated cost of £10,00\ but the consideration of the matter was postponed until after the Easter recess. A discussion, which was ultimately adjourned, took place on a motion to the effect that the police of the metropolis should be placed under the control of the Council. ignor Costa, the Italian Socialist Deputy, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment for taking part in the Socialist disturbances at Rome in December last. At Oxford, on Monday, Judge Cook, Q.C., was pre- sented with a silver bowl and four silver filigree dessert dishes bv the registrars of the courts included in the Circuit No. 36, on his retirement from the office of county-court judge. The presentation was made by Mr. Perceval Wash, registrar of the Oxford Court. THE English language contains over 38,000 words, and yet when a man wishes to stop a cab or 'bus he cannot think of anything better to say than Hi!" A Washington telegram states that it has been arranged that the Governments of Grat Britain, Ger- many, and the United States that each shall keep one man-of-war at Samoa pending the conclusion of the Berlin Conference. At Nantwich, John Jackson, a solicitor, practising a 44cbxoetier, has been fined L4 and costs for drunken- Attii, and Maying passengers on the North-Western Railway. Just a month ago damage estimated at more than L500,000 was done to property in Bristol by the river Frome overflowing its banks, and now, even before a fiftieth part of the damage has been repaired, the same river has again overflowed, causing serious floods in the outskirts of the city. The water began to rise on Mon- day afternoon, and in the course of a few hours many hundreds of houses were inundated and several main roads rendered impassable. A Liverpool correspondent says that the four Irish Invincibles who played such a prominent part in the Phcenix-park tragedies in which Lord Frederick Caven- dish and Mr. Burke lost their lives, namely, James Mullett, Joseph Mullett, Edward M'Caffrey, and Daniel Delaney, who are undergoing penal servitude in connection with the murders, have left Downpatrick Gaol under escort for London, under a writ of habceus corpus granted to the solicitor who has in hand the de- fence of Molloy, who is to be tried at the Central Criminal Court for perjury. At Cheshire Quarter Sessions, at Knutsford, on Monday, there was a larger attendance of magistrates than usual in order to take part in a presentation to Lord Egerton of Tatton, chairman of the Court. At the last meeting of the Court of Quarter Sessions, for transaction of civil business, the following resolution was passed II That this Court, on the occasion of its last meeting, before transferring portion of its duties to the County Council, desires to place on record its strong sense of the independence of character, zeal, and ability with which the chairman, Lord Egerton of Tatton, has devoted himself to the business of the county, and begs to return the thanks of the Court for the attention he has devoted to it." This resolution, beautifully illuminated, was formally presented on Monday by the deputy chairman, his Honour Judge Horatio Lloyd, and Lord Egerton acknowledging the compliment. Lord Cranbrook presided on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Poor Children's Aid Society, held in the board-room at the offices of the School Board for London. The report, which was read by the Rev. J. R. Diggle, was adopted, and the noble chairman warmly commended the society to the con- sideration and support of the public. The annual session of the Institution of Naval Archi- tects was opened in London on Wednesday, and in the evening the annual dinner was held, when Lord G. Hamilton responded on behalf of the Navy. After a jury had been called into the box in the Queen's Bench Division Court 2, on Monday afternoon, Mr. Baron Pollock said he was sorry to be informed that there was a difficulty caused by the non-attendance of jurors. Next day the names of all those summoned would be called over, and those gentlemen who were absent would be fined, as their non-attendance operated unfairly to those who did attend. In the French Senate on Monday the decree consti- tuting it a High Court was read, and Friday was fixed for the first sitting of the new tribunal. On Sunday night MM. Laguerre and Laisant were present at a Boulangist banquet at Rouen, at which the former read a letter from General Boulanger. Riotous demonstra- tions followed, which continued till a late hour, and a newspaper office was attacked. The Persian Government nas ceded the fortress of Kelat Nadir to Russia. Reuter's Agency, dating from Paris, AprilS, states: A notice issued to-day by the Board of Health ad. vises shipping companies to make arrangements for any of their vessels bound for Havre which may have cases of yellow fever on board to go at once to St. Nazaire, because at no port in the English Channel is there a lazaretto, while there is one at bt. ^azaire, where dis- infection can be carried out immediately." Dating from Cairo, April 8, Reuter's Agency says "The Egyptian Government, desiring to place beyond all doubt its legal right to convert the Five per Cent. Privileged Loan, has taken the opinion of three eminent independent members of the Egyptian bar-an Englishman, a Frenchman, and an Italian-who have unanimously confirmed the opinion of the Government lawyers as to the perfect legality of the conversion of the debt or of its redemption at par." The Quarter Sessions for the Bandon division of the West Ridine of county Cork were opened on Monday, Judge Ferguson presiding, when his honour was pre- sented with a pair of white gloves by the sheriff, in consequence of there being no criminal ease for the grand jury. The judge congratulated the jury upon the satisfactory state of things, which he hoped to see often repeated.
'PORTS AND PASTIMES.
PORTS AND PASTIMES. Beautiful weather favoured the steeplechase between members of the House nf Commons run at Bicester, in Buckinghamshire, on Saturday. It had been anti- cipated that the race would start at half-past one o'clock, but it was quite two before all the prelimi- naries had been got through. The arrangements were carried out by Lord Chesham, who acted as starter, and by Lord Valentia, who was judge. Among the spectators were Lord Jersey, Viscount Melgund, Sir Matthew White Ridley, M.P., Sir William Houlds- worth, M.P., the Hon. George Allsopp, M.P., Mr. Mow- bray, M.P., the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, Mr. Anstruther, M.P., Lord William Nevill, Mr. Howard Vincent, M.P., and Mr. nozier, M.P., and a large number of ladies. Originally something like a score of members of Parliament had expressed their desire to enter tke lists, but when the field was made up it was found to con- sist of a dozen. These were: Mr. Walter Long, 13st. Silb.; Mr. Ellivt Lees, 13st.; Mr. F. B. Mild- may, 13st.; Mr. Cyril Flower, 13st. S.\lb., without 2 saddle Colonel Heath, 13st.; Mr. Bromley Daven- port, 13st.; Viscount Newark, 13st.; Lord Henry Bentinck, 13st. 101"lb. Mr. A. W. Jarvis, 13st.; Mr. Bazley White, 13st. GlIb., without saddle Mr. P. A. Muntz, 1Bst, without saddle; and the Hon. W. J. Fitzwilliam, 13st. llIb, without saddle. The running was from point to point over a distance of three miles, and through a stiff bit of country. The com- petitors were taken over the course by Lord Chesham. A very good start was made, and the members went off at a canter. By-and-by the pace quickened, and every rider did his best. Mr. Walter Long and Mr. Muntz drew to the front, and were getting away from the others when, unfortunately for the latter's chances, his horse stumbled and brought him to the ground. For the last half mile it was a tremendous gallop down hill. There was a 14ft. hedged ditch just below the winning post. Neck and neck almost were Mr. Mildmay and Mr. Elliot Lees when they rose at this ditch Both horses landed on the near side clear of the ditch; their feet did not hold, however, and down they came on the soft ground. The riders were quickly on their feet, and, jumping hurriedly into the saddle, Mr. Elliot Lees rushed at the winning post. Mr. Cyril Flower had meantime come up, and he was just able to pass the flag a full half length before Mr. Elliot Lees. Mr. Fitzwilliam was a good third, and Mr. Mildmay and Mr. Walter Long came in immediately after. The rest of the riders camo trotting up during the next ten minutes. Following their triumph at the Kennington Oval the preceding week, and their equally successful en- counter with Sussex, the winners of the English Cup appeared at Bolton on Saturday before 16,000 spec- tators to meet the Wanderers. Brilliant weather and a glorious reception awaited the North End boys, who, with two exceptions, including the goal-keeper, were represented by the same team which performed so successfully at Kennington. It is curious that on both occasions when the Blackburn Rovers won the cup the Bolton Wanderers defeated them on the following Saturday, and this year history re- peated itself. The game was fast and furious throughout. The Wanderers established a strong lead from the commencement, scoring the first goal in 10 minutes. Five minutes later the Wanderers were again successful, and a third point was disallowed, only to be scored a minute later. The Wanderers' rushes were not to be denied, and at half-time they led by four to nothing. Three of the goals were ob- tained through miskicks on the part of Preston backs. Changing ends Preston scored in the first five minutes, but they never got on terms, and the Wanderers ulti- mately won easily by five goals to one, Cambridge wound up the list of Inter-'Varsity en- gagements till cricket comes with a couple more victories. Their pair handsomely won the double racquet match, and E. M. Butler scored a good win in the singles. The Light Blues gained wins in all of battles of the Blues, except the football game, which was drawn. Surely North must be sadly out of form to be beaten at spot-stroke barred billiards by Peall. Public form tells us that while Peall is North's superior where spot-stroke play is permitted, the other is his master at what is called all-round business. At least, that is what form used to tell us. Perhaps the later exhibitions are correct; North has gone off, and will have to give way to Peall, though we hardly look to find last week's trial confirmed when the pair meet again. Following the example of Weston, the walking champion, who after his long day's walk would lecture on Walking," Hanlon, the oarsman, is now exhibiting in the Colonies, and concludes his enter- tainment by an address on Rowing," in which he recounts many personal experiences. Very few of us get a chance at royal racquets after schooldays. The Earl of Fife, however, is the excep- tion to this remark. He has (observes "Captain Coe," of the London Star) built just over the road near his pet seat (I am not quite sure whether I am right, for he has a dozen at least) at Sheen, near Richmond, a very perfect little court. It is just under seven miles from Hyde-park-corner, and many a time and oft has Turn Turn tooled the distance incog, to take a hand at a game which he finds make him hot soonest of all, if he does sometimes break the roof-windows. In May, 1845, two British tumuli on the confines of Newmarket Heath were opened. The one, in the parish of Bottisham, placed on an elevated range of hills, is conspicuous for miles round, and from its position and the large quantity of charcoal it con- tained, it is inferred that it had been used as a site for a beacon to guide travellers over the wild waste of fen country. Hence, in all probability, the name of the Beacon Course." We are on the threshhold of the coaching season. The Enterprise will commence running to Taplow and Maidenhead on Tuesday, 23rd inst., and The New Times will be put on the road on Tuesday, April 16, for Guildford. Searle, the Australian oarsman, will proceed to England next month, and challenge Teemer to row him on the Thames in August, after which he pro- poses to meet O'Connor, who won the sculling match with Teemer on the Potomac River for the American championship in November last. # The Due de Chartres has been fishing the Thurso river, in Caithness, during the last fortnight, and has killed a number of salmon on the beat which he rents, but his best fish, which weighed 181bs., was taken on Loch Beg. ——— A great deal of nonsense has been talked and printed during the last week to the effect that Messrs Willan and Muttlebury are the only gentle- men who have rowed for their respective Universities over the London course four times. They are the only 'Varsity oarsmen who have won four times over that course. But Messrs. R. W. Risley, H. J. Stayner, and T. C. Edwards-Moss have each rowed four times for Oxford, as have Messrs. R. Lewis-Lloyd, J. Hall, R. A. Kinglake, J. Still, J. H. D. Goldie, H. E. Rhodes, C. Gurdon, T. E. Hockin, and C. W. Moore for Cam- bridge. Mr. H. P. Marriott,the well-known Oxford stroke, stands by himself as the only man who has rowed five times. To him victory and defeat were equally apportioned he won twice, lost twice, and rawed in the famous dead-heat. Mr. C. R. W. Tottenham steered five times for Oxford, Mr. G. L. Davies five times for Cambridge. The former scored five victories, the latter two. All old turf and chalk should mean good going, and, this being precisely the description of country afforded by the Winchester course, named Worthy Down, one favourable condition of success appears to be fairly assured for the United Hunt Steeplechases appointed to be ridden thereon early in May. For the sturdy race of Farmer Ashfields and their dames, not forgetting, either, the immortal Mrs. Grundy, this occasion promises well enough. South Berks parti- cipates with the county made dramatically famous by Morton's old comedy of "Speed the Plough" -for, though John Emery found it convenient to speak the part of the southern husbandman with a rich Yorkshire dialect, the answer given to Bob Hanoy's question, What's the next county, farmer ?" plainly indicates Hants as the scene of Morton's play-in the interest of these Winchester steeplechases. The lists of stewards, headed by the Duke of Wellington, includes such well-known masters of foxhounds as Major Allfrey, Mr. C. P. Shrubb, Mr. T. Garth, and Mr. W. Long. Mr. J. J. Bayford is clerk of the course, and the starter will be Captain Clowes.