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

UNCLE TOM" AT WINDSOR. 11 Tbe presentation to her Majesty, by special command, of the Rev. Joalah Henson, which was originally fixed for Saturday last, but was postponed for her Majesty's con- venience, occurred on Monday at Windsor. As previously arranged, the negro patriarch was accompanied by Mrs. Henson and by his friend, Mr. John Lobb. The party reached the Castle at one, and were received by Sir T. M. Biddnlph, K.C.B., who, after introducing them to Major-General H. Ponsonby, invited them to partake of luncheon. At three her Majesty, accompanied by his Royal High. ness Prince Leopold and her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, appeared in the corridor leading to the Oak Room, attended by the Hon. Horatio Stopford and the Countess of Erroll, Ladies in Waiting. The Rev. Jostah Henson (" Uncle Tom ") was tden presented to Her Majesty by Sir T. M. Biddulph. Her Majesty expressed pleasurable surprise at the coloured clergy- man's strikingly hale and hearty looks, considering his great age. He was-born, it will be remembered, on June 15, 1789. Her Majesty was also pleased to say that for many years she had been well acquainted with his history, and to present him with her portrait. Mr. Henson thanked Her Majesty on his own be. half for the great honour conferred upon himself, as well as on behalf of his coloured brethren in Canada and other portions of Her Majesty's dominions for her august protection when they were poor fugitive slaves, and for the unspeakable blessings they had at all times enjoyed under her rule. Mr. Lobb was then presented by Sir T. M. Biddulph to Her Majesty as the editor of Mr. Henson's Autobiography," a copy of which had been graciously accepted by Her Majesty, who was pleased to say that she had read it with much interest and pleasure. At Her Majesty's gracious request the autographs of tha Rev. Josiah Henson and Mr. J. Lobb, with the date of the birth of each, were then inscribed in Her Majesty's private album.

A NEW "RANGE FINDER." The Berlin correspondent of The Times telegraphs General S. Berdan, of the United States, has been requested by the British Government to supply de tails upon the construction and application of his new range-finder. The range-finder consists of tele- scopes one mfetre aud a half long, with object glasses four inches in diameter, and a recorder graduating from 400 mètreø to 6,000 mfctres, the measuring being absolutely precise up to 2,000 mbtres. The base is one mfetre; the average time required to place the instrument in position and take the distance is less than two minutes, and the time required to make the distance of a second object when the instrument is once opened less than one minute. Only one horse with a dog-cart is needed for the transport of this instrument, which, the General asserts, will double the effective firing of the Artillery and quadruple that of the Infantry. One-half the Artillery cartridges and three-fourths of the Infantry cartridges being thus saved, the General contends that war will not only be rendered infinitively more decisive, but also less expensive. Several specimens of the range-finder have been supplied to the Berlin "military authorities, who. the General expects, will adopt it for general use by Army and Navy."

THE CONVICT TREADAWAY. An individual may be epileptic, and have fits, with- out being insane or he may suffer from epileptic in- sanity with a scant history, or entire absence, of known convulsive paroxysms. Possibly in this last case the explosions are masked, or take place during Bleep. Somewhat the same sort of thing happens when a morbid affection of the nerve'centres or nerve-trunks -&interegrating cells, or disorganising fibres, in a fashion which should, and will, in the end, cause p"yda--reflexly produces mind symytomaf or when tubercle deposited in an organ, setting up irritation in the same indirect fashion, developed mental derangement as a collateral phe- nomenon, which not unfrequently retards or masks the physical disease. To what extent a man affected with epilepsy, which has not previously produced mental disturbance, should be relieved from responsi- bility because the disease under which he labours may, and sometimes does, give rise to mind symptoms, is a moot question. It is, of course, permissible to contend that unless there is actual proof of insanity, its exist- ence ought not to be inferred from the mere fact of a possible cause being in existence: just as no one would argue that a phthisical patient was irresponsible be. cause in certain cases there may be some mysterious relation between tubercular disease and mental de- rsngement. Meanwhile the convict Treadaway has the benefit of the doubt, and we are heartily glad of it. The bare possibility of hanging a person of unsound mind for a crime committed under the influence of his malady is so terrible that sincere satisfaction must be felt when medical men of high repute and with official responsibility have found it possible to advise, and the Home Secretary has seen the wisdom of according, a reprieve. The case was by no means of a class with that of Gant, in which the murderous attack was characteristic of epileptic fury or madness. Considerable acumen and expe- tienee were required for the diagnosis of the mental affection. It is satisfactory to know Dr. Bisdon Bennett and Dr. Crichton Browne were pre-eminently fitted for the discharge of this grave duty; the fonner as a representative general physician, the latter as a scientific and expert alienist, both charged with official responsibility to the state and the profession. The satisfaction with which we view the result is unqualified. It was an occasion on which justice itselif required the aid of mercy.—Lancet. Xu the House of Commons, on Monday evening, Sir J. Lawrence asked the Home Secretary whether he had My ob- jection to make public the reports of the medical offloen frho ommined we oonvicted murderer Treadaway, and also the communication received from Mr. Justice Lash with refe- rence to the commutation of the sentence passed upon Treadaway. Mr. Cross: It has never been the practice to lay such communications upon the table (hear, hear), and would -;Vf often be lmpoidble, u they are frequently made viwt ve". But I have no- obleemon to state In the present case that the prisoner was tried before one of the. most expertenped and amitMnt Judges upon the Bench. He had a fit In the course of the trial, and evidence was given sat to Ullwiwr In lih hniBf mi< In his OWH CaSC. DoUbtl OCCAVbd to 8»^learned Judge as to the eflect this had W In weakening the prisoner's mind,, and he recommended the Inquiry wfilch was made for his own satisfaction He after. wards advised the commutation of the sentence on the ground that the convict was an epileptic, and be treated as a person who had been deprived by disease oi tile he would otherwise have had to resist the orlmlnal lmpnlse. I do not think that any Secretary ot State would have been justified In departing from tht usual rule ur re- fusing to advise Her Majesty to act In accordance wit* the recommendation of to experienced and able a Judge. (|le«r, hear.) ——————————

The report of the Bureau Veritas for the moyith of January jihows that out of a total of ^#alllng vessels re- ported lost or missing, 76 were of BrMslKiatlonality, and of 16 steamers reported lost, 11 were British. Joseph Holmes, a platelayer, in the employ of the Midland Railway Company, has jut died at the hofoltal at Berby through chloroform beng administered so,, hbn whilst undergoing an operation. The Jury returned a yerdJet I that deceased died from paralysis of the heart whilst unAW the IXAMPOS of chloroform.

EUROPEAN PRESSURE ON THE PORTE. On the above question X writes to The Times, T— Sir,—Your Vienna Correspondent informs us this morning that he thinks that Kussia may be willing to demobilize her army and to grant Turkey a certain time to carry into effect the reforms demanded by the Powers if a general right of control be accorded to them which they might use at their discretion at the end of the delay given to the Turks." I understand him to mean, and, indeed, he himself so explains his meaning, that the Porte should embody in a protocol its promises. of reform, and thereby give the Powera a Treaty right to insist upon the fulfilment of these promises, and thus cancel that part of the ninth article of the Treaty of Paris which, as we all know, destroyed the value of the promises then made by Turkey. It is, of course, impossible to know whether this rumour has any foundation; but your Correspondent is generally well informed, and, as the rumour ap- pears in itself not improbable, I venture to express my hope, judging, of course, from the information before us, that our Government would not incur the responsi- bility of refusing such a proposal. It is, in fact, the demand made by Lord Darby him- self, through Sir Henry Elliot, in September of last year—viz., that the Porte should sign "a protocol binding itself in regard to the internal administration of the Eqipire" (see Sir H. Elliot's despatch of September 25). It is quite clear from this and from other de- spatches that hostilities were then renewed between Turkey and Servia, because the former would not consent to admit any such treaty right of interfer- ence in its internal administration. Why our Government so quickly dropped its own proposals] and allowed this question of a protocol to be lost sight of in a dispute as to the length of the armistice, is one of those questions of the past which it might y be worth while to asft, and difficult to answer, if the interests of the present and the dangers of the future did not make us forgetful and even care. less of the past. Bat if the Porte, beginning now to realize the danger of a war with Russia, consents to make this concession of its Sovereign rights, surely there is no reason from the circumstances of to-day why our Government should not act in accordance with the poliey they themselves proposed last autumn. The events of the last six months seem to me to bring out more and more clearly these three conclu- along:- 1. The real evil is Turkish misrule. We may differ among ourselves as to whether or how far this misrule is aggravated by foreign intrigue; but hardly any one now doubts that without the misrule intrigue would be harmless, or at leaat powerless. 2. The attempt by Russia to put an end by her armies to this misrule must lead to a fierce and most bloody war, fraught with misery not only to those engaged, but also to those Christians whom it would be intended to help, and full of danger to the peace of Europe. 3. The only hope of both puttingan end to this misrule and avoiding this war rents in the maintenance of European concert and in the persistence of European pressure upon Turkey. It seems, then, almost impossible that our Govern- ment could turn their backs upon their own proposal of last September, if now proposed by Russia. It would afford a bridge to the Czar over which he might march his armies back; it would put the Turkish Government under the surveillance of the Christian Powers, and thereby give hope to the Turkish Chris- tians and aid to Turkish reformers, be they few or be they many; and at the same time it would obtain these results without pledging England to use coercion either now or at any future time. It seems to me that such an agreement would give almost the only chance of a possible peaceful solution of the Eastern Question—viz., the admission by Turkey of the right of Europe to protect the Christian subjects ot the Porte.

AN INTERNATIONAL DAIRY SHOW. A Hamburg correspondent writes to The Times':— On Wednesday morning there was opened at Hamburg, at the large school for boys, the third of a series of shows arranged under the auspices of the Milk Producers' Association, founded at Bremen in 1874. The two previous shows have only been of a local character, but it was determined this year to spare no pains to make the Hamburg show really international. To an excellent prize list, issued by the above association, the town of Hamburg had added a very large amount, and the German Emperor has given a piece of plate ^valued at 6,000 marks ( £ 300) for the best exhibition in the show. Good, however, as is the whole collection, there is a feeling to-day prevalent that the jury will be unable to declare that any collec- tion is worthy of so great a prize, and that they will recommend that it be given to some one not an exhibitor who has done good service to dairy husbandry. But it is doubtful whether this will receive the sanction of the Emperor. The show is divided into two parts, the first being for milk and its products, and the second for machinery for the dairy. In the latter division there is not much to be learnt by our own dairy farmers, except that, so far as improved machinery for the manipulation of milk is concerned, the great advance shown in Conti- nental dairies is due to the use of the improved utenBlls provided by the United States of America. Nearly all the principal articles exhibited are of American origin and are simply sold by German agents. There is, however, one exception. The use of Lawrence's refrigerator, so common in England and Germany, has led a German to make one with a much larger surface over which the milk can travel by making the tubes containing the water fiat instead of circular. The result was that after a fair trial, it was shown that the German invention did more effective work, and the judges had no hesitation in declaring for it. An excellent milk delivery cart, so arranged that the contents cannot be tampered with after it has left the dairy, is exhibited. Mr. E. Ahlborn has fitted up a stand at which cheese has been made to-day by three comely lasses, the scientific manner in which they went about their work greatly surprising the English visitors. There are altogether 606 entries of machinery, the majority of which are either English or American, or copies of them. The cheese is displayed in a suite of rooms and the exhibition of this class of goods is simply wonderful. The cheese of the world seems to have been collected, in 355 entries, from most, if not all, of the countries of Europa. Probably every kind made in Europe in the present day is represented, and it is more than probable that BO comprehensive a collection was never belo*»exhibited. There are many kinds of cheese made on the Continent, of which English farmers have seldom, if ever heard, and of the method of making of which they have no conception at all. Some of these need a decidedly acquired taste to appreciate them, and to the ordinary English nose and palate they are nothing less than offensive. This department, how- ever, is decidedly the most interesting one in the Exhibition. English cheese is represented only by some half-dozen samples, consisting of fine Cheddars, Stiltons, and Cheshires. The Derby type, however, finds representation in samples made In the Russian finds representation in samples made in the Russian Dairy Schools near Moscow, the principal director of which a few years ago spent some time in England studying our English dairies. The butter classes are also interesting, more on account of their excellent display and arrangement than on account of their diversity of appearance. Nearly every country in Europe is here represented, and also Canada. Artificial butter is represented by 11 entries—a most remarkable class—the colour, texture, and flavour of good butter being admirably represented. "Messrs. H. M. Jenkins and J. P. Shelden are here as representatives from the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the British Dairy Farmers, Association; and nearly all the Continental Govern- ments are represented by delegates.

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE ODGEBr Mi George Odger. died at his house In High-street, Bloomsbury, London, at half-past two on Sunday morning After a lingering and painful ilinow.-IU Tiwies gives the folio wlagbHef sketch of his life George Odger was born in 1820 in a village between Plymouth ana Tavistook. His education was limited to the rustic school of his native place, and consisted of the simplest rudiments of elementary knowledge. He began work at an early age, and afterwards became apprenticed to a shoemaker. He oommeneed an early course of study and self-culture, and made himself soon known in his native county as an advanced thinker, public reader, and reciter of dramatic, poetic, and general literature. At that time it was usual among workmen of his olass on com- puting their aprentkwehip to travel extensively through England to sjtndy the different kinds of wcrk. Mr. Odger, having visited numerous plaees, finally settled down in London, and became a member of the Society of Cordwainers. When shoe- makers opposed the introduction of machinery about the year 1848-51, he showed the folly of such opposi. tion and contributed considerably to the modification of the workmen's views. In 1859 he became more conspicuous as a public and political man in connec- tion with the lock out in the building trades, at the delegate meetings of whfeh he represented his own society and became weU kam to and associated with the prominent working msfeof London. About 186S he was ^pointed secretary otthe London Trades Council, which had been termed two years previously, and in oonneetion with which he visited many tewns in iDftaid as the representative of that association during their agitation with regard to wages and hours of work. But it was as a member of the Reform League that he became so widely known. In 1865, when a Com. niladon was appointed to inquire into the working of the Master and Servants' Act, Mr. Odger gave assistance to the Select Committee appointed for the purpose of amending the law with regard to contracts of hiring and of service, and was examined at great length before that Committee. In 1868, he stood as a candidate for the newly-constituted borough of Chelsea, but on agreein to arbitration as to which of the Liberal candidates would be most likely to carry the suffrages of the electors, he, on a decision, oon- sented to withdraw. In 1869 he stood for the borough of Stafford, where it was decided to take a preliminary ballot of the Liberal voters; the result was that he, among others, had to retire. In 1870 he oontested the borough of Southwark. and polled 4,382 votes. He was conspicuous during the Civil War in America by his constant and consistent advocacy of the North against what he termed as the slave-holding South.' Sir John Bennett (CheEipaide, London), writes to the papers Now that they have lost one of their ablest leaders, the working classes do well to recognise George Odger's un- doubted merits, and to decree a public funeral in his honour. His whole life was a busy one. Through many a weary struggle our artisans have er joyed the advantage of his sober and snongliltful counsel. W flile his bread came from the work of his own hands, his voice ud his pen were ever at the service of any who were seeking to acquire the power of knowledge, or the rights of citizenship. Self-educated, he never tailed as a speaker to com- mand the will of even the least Intelligent and often to still the strife of the most stormy Radical meet- ings. Without demanding mere moderation he skilfully directed the fire and the fury of excited times Into a course of ultimate triumph. He pleaded for popular power on the noisest platforms, while Mr. DUraell was in quieter fashion educating his party in the momentous doctrine of houiehold suffrage. After tne overthrow of the Hyde-park railings a great statesman upon leaving the House of Commons, gasping tor breath at the Conservative performance of such a leap in the dark, exclaimed to George Odger 'you have brought the Government on their knees before us,' and soon another declared that henceforth they must teach their masters their letters.' He was perpetually Insisting on the vital necessity of public enlightenment, and though they paid him in pence, he was one of a dozen who came home to their hearts with an earnest desire for those elements of popular progress to which they will owe their future elevation and prosperity. Let the million understand that it Is not good to starve their wisest and soundest leaders while doing their work, and then only remember to bow to their coffin after they have lost them. In the coldest winter's night Ibave seen George Odger, in a thircl- elms carriage, eat his dinner of a roll and sausage on his way to a crowded assem- bly where he made by far the best speech of the evening. Such speeches not coming from the lips of a man of social rank rarely found their way into our public Journals. Indeed, respectable men who did not know him little thought how with a full heart, and, perhaps, an empty belly, a working man of Independent mind was teaching his class to help their betters to write, .the next page on the statute book of the British nation. At fifty-eight George Odger has finished his career, often through ill report, but his friends wiU say over his grave that they could have better spared a greater man."

A TRAPEZE ACCIDENT. On Tuesday night, at ten o'clock, an accident to two trapeze performers happened at the Alexandra-hall, Manchester. An immense audience had assembled to witness the performance of "Jennie and Albert Lamonts, the American gymnasts." upon a bar at a height of 30 feet, just above the orchestra. The per- formers had gone through the same performance on the previous night in the presence of a large audience. While the interest was most intense, the Lamonts seated themselves across the bar face to face, and then suddenly thew themselves backwards, hanging by their feet. They repeated this amid enthusiastic cheer. ing, but their feet failed to lock together, and the two trapeziets fell, the man into the orchestra, upon one of the fiddlers, and the lady with her back across the barricade which surrounded the orchestra. Both lay apparently lifeless, and were speedily re- moved behind the scenes. An attempt was made to go on with the rest ot the performance, but to the credit of the audience they loudly called for information as to the sufferers, and were not appeased until it was stated that neither had been fatally injured. The Bufferers were conveyed in cabs to the Manchester Infirmary, where their injuries were speedily attended to by the medical staff.

AMERICAN HUMOUR. A man in Wisconsin saved a young lady from walk- Ing off a bridge, and to far from being grateful for It, she married him. The Rochester Democrat indulges in the following reminiscence" I wish I were you about two hours." she said, with great tenderness. "And why. my dear?" he asked, with considerable interest. "Because," she said, toying affectionately with his watch-chain, because, then I would buy my wife a new set of furs." A school-girl, in writing to her mother Bays, I get along nicely with all my teachers except Miss ———; but I don't blame ber, because she accidentally shot the young man she was engaged to, and It naturally makes her feel kind of cross, especially on cloudy days." There is a growing feeling among the American people that tha man who can hear a fellow mortal complain of a cold in the head, and abstain from telling him what to do for it, is the man who should be the next President, A Yankee editor expresses the opinion that if one of his political opponents were placed upon trial for murder, an article recently printed by him might be cited to establish his insanity, and would be deemed quite sufficient by any twelve larymen not insane themselves. Pigeon English is all the rage with Boston girls, and when an escort leaves one of them at her papa's front steps he is startled to hear something like this: Hoop-la— Melican man he heap much nice-fetchee me home alle light topside up on sllppely walk—buy gum dlope-comee you alle same 'gin sometime—you savey, eh, Johnf And she disappears within the storm doors, leaving the perplexed young man slowly muttering, Well—I'll be heap—much—what-ye-may-calle—alle—same—If I know what that charming creature Is driving at"

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. The Chambers of Commerce have begun to agitate the question of cheap telegrams. It is officially stated at Belgrade that the Servian losses during the late war with Turkey amounted to 8,000 killed and 20,000 wounded. Eleven months of the financial year have produoed £ 71 268 SOO, the Budget estimate for the twelve months being £ 78,412.000. The expenditure has been £ 69,867,887. From a supplementary army estimate which was Issued on Saturday It was shown that a further sum of A140, 000 is required to meet military expenditure during the year ending on the Slat Inst. The churches of Great Warley and Little Warley, near Breatwood, were broken into en Monday night and a missionary box and two bronze altar vases were stolen. Mr. Moody, the revivalist, is producing in America a collection of his pulpit Illustrations, under the title of cirrous and Anecdotes. Fifty thousand dollars (210,000) per annum have been voted by Congress as the salary of the next President. The statement that the English Church Union have decided to take legal proceedings against the Bishop of Rochester for breaking open, or causing to be broken open, St. James' Church, H-bsm," Is Incorrect, Standard. Between 6,000 and 7,000 persons have subscribed to the fund for the widows and children of the murdered police- men In Berkshire. On Saturday night the extensive Vinegar Brewery at Stourport was discovered to be on fIN, and before the engines could arrive the flames had obtained great hold, and half the brewery was completely gutted. The loss will be considerable. Which is the largest gland ?" asked a medical pro- fessor of the newest arrival in his class the other day. The student burled himself In deep and attentive thought for a moment, and then, brightening up, suddenly exclaimed, The largest gland, air, Is England." Then the professor kindly led the youth aside, and pathetically advised him to think ne more of medicine, but to join a minstrel company. The Germans are quietly but steadily and persis- tently setting their house in order, in preparation for any eventuality that time may create. The work of fortifying both banks of the Rhine In the neighbourhood of Strssburg is being actively prosecuted. All the bridges over the river already constructed or likely to be undertaken are to be protected by fcftM de pont, executed under the direction of the most competent engineer officers in the service.—liven- inq Standard. While a party of eight men were employed in placing a sugar roller weighing five tons on board the steamer Port- land, In Glasgow harbour, the machinery broke, throwing the roller into the hold, and carrying the men with it. The IkuB of James M'Lachlan, foreman, was fractured, and George Mackenzie, labourer, was hurt on the head. Both are not expected to recover. A third, named Hamilton, had an arm broken. The other men were also Injured, and were 811 taken to the Infirmary. On Sunday, at the BoQt Inn, North Allington, one of the outlying parishes of Brldport, a loaded gun was left by a man named Clapp, who had been scaring birds. The weapon was placed in a -or of a cellar, and was ap- parently secure there. But a sailor, who was among a party of men at the Inn, took up the gun, when it suddenly exploded, the contents entering the head of a man named Holder, who was standing by the cellar door, and carrying away part of the poor fellow's nose and forehead. Medical assistance was obtained, but the unfortunate man was so much Injured that he died during the afternoon. Active efforts are being made in Beading to obtain a reprieve far Francis George Tidbury, the younger of the two toothers who stand condemned to death for the murder of Inspector Drewett and Police-constable Shorter at Runger- ford In December last. On Tuesday afternoon a petition, promoted by tbe Rev. J. M. QuUdlngjuad the Bev. J. Wood, and signed by the clergy, ffonoontormftt ministers, magis- trates, and members of the legal and medical professions, was forwarded to the Home Secretary, praying her Majesty to give eflect to the recommendation of the Jury In behalf of the prisoner. The town was also actively canvassed for signatures to a petition representing the Inhabitants generally, and considerably over 1,000 persons appended their names to it. The prisoners pay earnest attention to the minutrationmf the gaol chaplain (the Rev. M. t: Iriend), and seem very penitent. A Worrying Kind of Occupation to be Engaged in -Fretwork. -Judy. The Oxford Town Council have resolved, by a large majority, to petition parliament against the Prisons BUL It is said tbat the clear profit of the ball given last week at the Paris Opera-House in lavour ef 4tie distressed silk-weavers of L)ons amounted to 44,400. The Dundee Advertiser states that about 616 dwell. ing-houses are at present empty In that town, but notwith- standing, new buildings are being erected in every euarter. In Paris everything in female attire is worn with frayed edges, making it dimcult to distinguish ragged dresses from whole ones. This was done with the most benevolent intention towards the smaller lnoomes.-Court Journal. Last Sunday's services at St. James's, Hatcham, were conducted with an entire absence of that disorder which had characterised the celebration of Divine worship on some previous Sundays. Dr. Camming', preaching in London on Sunday night, referred to the return of the Jews to Palestine aa an event that was not remote, and warned his hearers that they might shortly expect to see the accomplishment of stu- pendous changes preliminary to the final establishment of Christianity. The exportation of cattle from Denmark to England has Increased considerably of late years. The Copenhagen Ugeskrift states that 19,000 beasts and 21,000 sheep were exported last year, as against 8,410 and 3,847 respectively In 1870.-The Farmer. In consequence of the reduction of 10 per cent. which Is to take eflect this week in miners' wages In West York- shire, the coal merchants of the Leeds district on Friday reduced the price of best coals from 17s. Id. to 15.. 10d. per ton, and of seconds from 15L IOd. to 14s. 7d. The number of persons who sailed from the Mersey during last month was 1,804, In 65 ships A comparison with January and last month shows an increase In the latter of 113 persoas; but when the returns of February are com- pared with the corresponding period of last year there 11 a decrease of 721. An alarming decrease is observable in the population of France. According to a return published In the Journal Oficiel, the excess of births over deaths during last year was only 106 913, taking all the country, but In 26 of the depart- menta the deaths have been more numerous than the births. There were only 805,427 marriages contracted during the year. A ten mile bicycle race took place on Monday at Llllie Bridge, between D. Stanton, on a racing machine, and John Keen, the champion, on a road machine. Keen went off with the lead, and after an exciting race won by about half-a- dozen yards. Baring the race there was a heavy fall of rain, which drenched the competitors. The Naples Correspondent of The Timet writes under date February, 28 Mldhat Pasha Is still here, not withstanding telegrams stating that he had been recalled Accompanied by tbe Turkish Consul and his secietaiy, he strolls through the Toledo, and last week paid a visit to the Syndic, the Duke San Donato, fci the Municipal buildings. He was received by the Duke with great courtesy, and shown at his request all the departments of the institution." The Liverpool Weekly Albion says that the steamship Sidon has brought from Constantinople three white auea, Intended for the Marquis of Salisbury. These valuable animals were purchased by the marquis during his recent visit to the East. They were In excellent condition when landed, and were immediately sent on per Great Northern Railway to his lordship's seat at Hatfield. Various projects have been proposed to shorten the dreaded voyage between Europe and America. One plan contemplates a railway across Newfoundland, connecting with swllt steamers, which would make the trip from that island to Valentta Bay, Ireland, In three days. Another pro- ject, which would ahorten the passage about one-halt, is that of building a railroad from New Glasgow, No via Sootla, to Whitehaven, the most easterly point on the continent, and about 1,000 miles from New York, by which the ocean voyage I would be shortened to five days. The number of marriages registered in Ireland. during 1876 were, tciordlng to the annual report of the Registrar General ja*t Issued, only 24,037, being 1 In every 221, or 4.63 per 1,000 ot the estimated population. This rate, which is lower than that for any of the ten years 1866-74, is very much under the marriage rates in other countries the statistics of which are available. On Monday a special session of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars was opened at Sheffield; Mr. Joseph Malllns In the chair. A telegram was read announcing that the Grand todge of North New Zealand had declared alleglanoe to the right worthy Grand Lodge of the World, and for the equality of the negro race In the order. The action of the Executive Council on the Ifegro question was discussed and approved. Paul Boyton narrowly escaped coming to grief in his last great feat of paddling himself from Capreato Naples proper. At starting a strong current aim est dragged him on to the point ot Sorrento, the very spot where Virgil places the Strenum Scopull that Ulysses so cunningly avoided; but by the help of his own stout arms and a favouring breeze. which suddenly sprang up, he pushed himself towards Ischia.-The World. The Times correspondent at Calcutta states, in his weekly telegram, that the general aspect of the famino dis- tricts Is unchanged. There is a decrease of about 60,000 on the relief works In Madras. The numbers on the Bombay relief works show a slight Increase, chiefly owing to the return to work of the people who struck in Sholapore. The public health of the city of Madras shows no Improvement. The mortality Is abnormally high, chiefly from obolera and small-pox. The magistrates at Horsham ha.,e fined a boy twelve years of age, 60s. for carrying a gun without a licence. An lnlamd revenue officer said he saw the boy shoot a small bird, and was bound to prosecute him, but, as he did not believe either he or bis father was aware of the requirements of the law, he would not ask for a severe penalty. The magistrates said they would recommend the Board of Ialand Revenue to remit the fine altogether. En London, on Monday evening, the anniversary banquet of the Orphan Working School and the Alexandra Orphanage was held at Willis's Rooms, the Prince of Wales In the chair. A special appeal was made for funds to pro- vide additional accommodation. A subscription of 100 guineas was announced from her Majesty, and one of f,100 from the Prince of Wales, the total amounting to fA,647, which the Prince of Wales announced had been collected In fctwee weeks. It is mentioned in an article in the current num- ber of the Nautical ifagazin* that the greater part ot a sum, which it estimates at no less than aU1,816,112, has been invested in less than three years In ships built or building, and that the remainder of that sum Is about to be invested. The sum named does not Include the value of other sblps owned at the present ttme, nor the value of ships pur- chased or repaired during the three years, but merely these built or building. At Gagny, in France (on the Eastern line), a pas- senger and a goods train oame Into collision, it Is said, through a defect In the points, and four passengers were killed and 11 Injured. A flock of sheep In the goods train were cut In pieces. Among those who passed the recent Cambridge Local Examinations with honours was a lad named Fsrrar, who was absolutely deaf and dumb. He Is under 16 years of age, and has obtained a certificate for classics and mathe- matics. This Is probably the first case of the sort In the United Kingdom. Mr. Farrar was a pupil of the Rev. T. Arnold, of Northampton, whose method of teaching those thus afflicted has been highly successful. M. Waddington, the Anglo-French Minister of Public Instruction, had a narrow escape from a most bar- rible death the other day in Paris. He was riding In the Bola when his hat fell off, and on getting down to pick It up his loot caught In the stirrup, and tne horse bolted off. Fortu- nately M. Waddington had not released his bold ot the reins, and managed to stop the animal, but not before his feot had been badly sprained and his leg bruised. It appears from a parliamentary return just issued that 89 petitions, bearing 82,829 signatures, have been pre- sented toParllamentin favour of the Womens Disabilities Removal BIB: 886 petitions, with 177,006 signatures, la JSTof the Sandiy Closing (Ireland) BUI; and nine bearing 16,466 signatures, against lt; one petition, •toned by 16.478 persons, for an Inquiry Into the Metro- politan Asylums District Board and ten petitions, with ten signatures in favour ot household franchise in counties. At a meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Agricul- ture on Saturday, there was a brief discussion on the sub- ject of the recent attack of oattle plague. It was resolved. on the motion of the Chairman "That In view of the nreaani outbreak of rinderpest it Is the opinion of this chamber that cattto >hould be prohibited, and that toe Privy Council should be petitioned In favour of such prohibition. The Chinese Empire is being made acquainted with the Greek Alphabet under novel and striking circumstances. Alpha and Beta have already arrived In China, in tbe character of two mosquito gunboats, which on small dimen- sions carry very heavy ordnanoe: Gamma and Delta, their sister ships, are bound for the same destination and two more, the Spey and I ay. were tried In Stokes Bay on Thurs- day and Friday. -Leader In The Times. B.—Oh, why have you not written since What Is the matter? Write, If only one line. So an xtoas. Good-bya" Monkey.—My darling, I have done as you desired, but it cost me unutsuable Nwrow Your re- proachful letter causes me bitter, anguish, and; ment Is greater thsn my offence feel what you Inflict on me. -—Advertisement In The iMnu. Tn Tendon last Sunday morning, the weather in the fownrT snd at 10 a.m. the atmosphere was s<fthick that the river steamboat, traffic had to besus- fjhnrtiw after eleven o'clock the fog became denser St haJ^past eleven In the great thorough- .boM Oxf-d- S^J^suS ssthe Strand^ Fleet-street, Hol^orn, OxfEd- ■traet and Tottenham Court-road, traffic on the carriage way time to an absolute standstill. This state of tMniEsdld not u*k fc>Dg. for tn less than fifteen minutes the black milt rapidly disappeared, and all traffic was resumed. A shocking railway accident took place on Monday morning near Crewe, by which three platelayers, named Wright, Yeomans, and Cornea were killed. The men were engaged on the line about four miles from Crewe, when the express train from London struck them down. There are two sets of lines here—one for passengers and the other for goods traffic; and as a goods train was approaching at th« same time, it is supposed the men saw It but nottheexnnuL The bodies were frightfully mutilated, and the emdneotuvl express was covered with blood and brains. tSm.! whloh should have been used as a signal by tha — £ found In the pocket ol Wright. ,n# men> WM It has occurred to many an occnnant A» m„v, stool in a dingy counting-house that the draSSki MofeSoS Is at once a pleasant, lucrative, and eanZ VrT^le does, I trust, find that the finrt two MtoeUappfy toh £ MlUng, but hardly, I should think, toe lwt. KkTlart Saturday, for example. First tealnto Brighton,nhearsa Performance at half-past Ono of UnOJe DicVa Daerlm0 and the Steeplechase, train back a Pf'wnawioe in the evening at the Gaiety o Airfful Cords and Robert Maoaire. Office hours, ten to six would constitute a less wearying day.—The World. A fatal fire occurred on Monday morning in BURel- land-street, Hoxton, London. The fire broke out on the pound-floor, and destroyed the staircase before the persens In the upper put of the house had time to escape. A man named Tyler jumped from the second fioor window and sustained some injuries. Another man, James Double, was burned on the face and hands, aDd a woman named Mary Batsbelor, who occupied a back room on the first Boor w a burned to death. The Dnke of Manchester was on Saturday installed a Knight ef St. Patrick at the Castle, Dublin, with the ceremony usual on such occasions. M. Theodore Thomas was prevented, a short time since from giving a concert in Watertown, New York, as he had promised. This caused a poet of the town to burst out into the annexed poetic strain Oh, Thomas, oh, Thomuk Why did you stay from us, and not keep yo^ppromus According to an envious German writer on Egypt aa it is, that country both flows with milk and honey, and swarms with locusts, In the shape of Englishmen and Scotch- men. It is officially announced in Rome that the Govern- ments of Italy and Great Britain have agreed to communi- cate reciprocally, by telegraph, all pews relating to the cattle plague In thetr respective countries. An egg-shooting match came off recently. The distance was twenty-one yards, and the eggs were sprung from a trap in the same manner as gyro pfReoas. The loser shot two out of twelve, the winner ten. This sport tries markamanahip. The Marquis de Comptfegne, a dashing young noble- man of thirty, the author of some very clever books of travel In remote parts of Africa, has been killed In a duel at Cairo. where he realded as a member of the Egyptian Geographical Society. The cause of the fatal quarrel it not stated. One of a pair of seals in the aquarium of the Purls Jardin dAccUmation was choked two days back, In Its attempt to swallow a fish which had been thrown to it far food. The keeper immediately plunged into the water and attempted to relieve the seal, but his efforts were fruitless, and It soon expired. The Ion Is heavy, the pair having cost 510001. Americans in Europe must feel a little proud of their meteorological bureau In Washington, when they have seen ita predictions for Europe verified with such unerring accuracy. During the past few weeks tbe Sew York Herald has been telegraphing the piedicUons of tbe bureau with respect to storms in Europe, and they have been verified. Last week luck was against it, however, for its predictions ot some storms were responded to by calm and sunshine. £1.005 were offered for the two last competitors in the Waterloo Cup—a thousand for Owniassia, and a modest five-pound note for the slaughtered hare. The fint offer was declined, the second was accepted. The latter price I trust will not be looked upon by the British tradesmen as a precedent By the bye, surely Coomassle must be the smallest animal that was ever successful at Aintree her weight Is 421bs., and Master MacGrath, not to very large a dog, turned the acaIeat 66lbs.—The World- It is reported that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have it In contemplation to recommend a change In the manner of collecting the dog tax, In order to counteract the systematic evasions under the present system It Is said to be not Improbable that the duty of collecting the tax may be transferred to the pollee, as to the case in Ireland. The Political Correspondence of Vienna publishes a letter from Its 8s.. Petersburg correspondent, In which it Is stated that the question of opening the campaign against Turkey or continuing the diplomatic negociations Is still an undecided one. The reassn of this, he says, Is that the Cabinet of St. Petersburg Is not certain about the neutrality of Europe. It it was sure of this, war would have been declared long ago. On Monday morning Amos Moore, of Wigan, entered a compartment of a third-class carriage c f the train which left Wigan for Liverpool at twenty minutes past three, his qhjject being to attend the Stanley Cattle Market. He had lwen running to catch the train, under tbe impression that he waa late, and shortly after taking his seat he leaned back and died immediately. The Marquise de Montebello died in Paris on Satur- day from the effects of Injuries which she received by her dress taking fire two days previously. The husband et Mdma de Montebello, wbowas herself a sister of the late M. Caalmlr JPerler, and who was sixty years of age at the time of her death, Is the owner of the champagne vineyard the wine produoed In which is called after the proprietor. Several papers have Incorrectly stated that the accident happened to the Duchesse tie Montmorency.—PaU MuU Gazette. The remains of Lord George Charles Gordon Lennox were interred on Saturday afternoon In the family vault.ot the Dukes of Richmond, beneath the Lady Chape! of Chi- chester Cathedral The oeremony was private, but the shops In Chichester were closed riong the route of the processes. Tbe body was brought from London by train, and the funeral oortgge, consisting of a bearse and two mourning coacnea, started from the railway station. The mourners were the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, Lord Henry Gordon Lennox, and Lord Alexander Gordon Lennox; Prince Edward of 8u&- Weimar, Lord Bingham. aad Major Pitt: the Bail of Mafett and Klnrara and others.

THE MARKETS. MARK-LAKE.—MOSBAT. The grain trade at Mark-lane has ruled very quirt. English wheat was In short supply, nevertheless the demand was heavy, and Inferior samples were hard to sell. Aa regards loreiga wheat, about an average supply was on the stands. The trade was quiet, at about late rates. Fiae malting barley was steady in value, with a moderate Inquiry. Other sorts sold on former terms. Malt was quiet, and without change. Oatswerete moderate demand, and sound samples were steady in value. Not much was doing in malxe, at late rates. Beans and peas were quiet, and an. altered. The flour Market was dulL Country and foreign produce was rather easier. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARK IT.- MONDA'Y. The total Imports of foreign stock Into London last week consisted ot 11,109 bead. In tbe corresponding week of last year we received 13,119; In 1876, 16,762 tn 1874, 14,966; In 1878,10,907; and In 1872, 16,614. The cattle trade was with- out special feature, and was generally quiet. From eur own grazing districts the receipts of beasts were comparatively few, and the condition did not exceed the average. During the earlier hours the trade was arm. especially for One breeds, but later on quietness prevailed, and at the close the tone was rather dull. The best Soots aDd croises realised 6s. 8d. to 6s. 104L per 81b. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire we have received about l,2u0; trosa other parts of England about 260; and from Scotland 116 head. The foreign side of the market waa much less freely supplied, the receipts being from Spain and Denmark. The trade was quiet, at about late rates. The sheep pens were again very scantily supplied, but thts was ta some measure compensated for by the heavy ant. Deptford. The demand was Ion active, and quotatloaa barely so firm. The beat Downs and half-breds sold at 7s. 6d. to 7s. 8d. per 81b. Calves were In abort supply, and sold quietly at full prioes. Pigs were quiet and unaltered. At Deptford were Dutch beasts and about 12,000 sheefL Coarse and Inferior beasts, 4s. to fis. second quality dltte, 6s. to 6L 4d.; prime large oxen, 6s. 6d. to 6s. Sd. prime Scots, Ac., Be. 8d. to 6s. lOcI. coarse and Inferior sheep, 6s. to 7L second quality ditto, 7s. to 7s. 4d. prime coarse- woolled, 7s. 4d. to 7s. 6d.; prime Soutodowns, 7a. Sd. to 7s. 8d.; large coarse calves, 6s. 6d. to 0s. 4d. prime small ditto, 6s. 6d. to 7L large hogs, is. to 4s. 6d. small porkers, 4s. 8d. to 6L 2d. per 81b. to sink tbe offaL METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.-MOKDAY. The weather has Improved this morning, but the trade remains very heavy. The supplies were moderate. Inferior beef, 8s. to SI. 8d.; middling ditto, 6L to 4s. 6d. prima large ditto, M. 6d. to 4a lOel. j prime small ditto, 4s. lod. to 6s. 2d. veal, 6s. to 6s. &tI. Inferior mutton, Sa. to 8s. M.; middling dltte, 4a to IíL prime ditto, 6s. 6d. to 6a A& large pork, at. to Sa. 6d. small dluo. AL to 4a 8d. per 81b. by the carcass. POTATOES. Sound potatoes were In moderate request, and the trade gonerany Was, steady, but the supplies were somewhat exces- sive :—Kent Regents 90s. to 120L Essex ditto, 70s. to IISL Rocks, 70s. to 801. j Flukes, 140a to 1&80 Kidneys. 100s. to 160a Scotch Regents, looll to 180.. per ton. SEED. LONDOH, Monday, March &-Than were moderate sup- pUe?.2f Ctowseed, mostly ol middling and Inferiw quality. All sorts were held on former terms, but owing to the Mate of the weather, buyers made limited pnrahassa. American qualities were steady in price aDd demand. Bre- ton was onered at less money, holden of any quantity show- lug some anxiety to realise. White and brown Mustard seeds were more inquired for, a»d parcels suitable f»r sew- ing were held higher. Tares realised about previous raw at former prioes for foreign qualities. Grass seeds 01 as descriptions were In good request, at as mnoh money aa formerly. Rapeseed, fine RngMsh samples were saleable at good prtoes. Canaryseed sold at Irregular rates. mo^tly ta favour ol the bnjreri. Patch Hempeeed wae steady In prlee &nd (jfinmri ——— GAMI AND POULTRY. Pea Fowls, 7*. to 10s.: guinea ditto, 2a 6d. to 4a pratrte «ooae to ta 6d. haael ditto, la to 2s.; ptarmigan, 9d. %m quails, Is. 6d. to 3a 8d.; Virginian ditto, M. to la. ad.; capereailale, 6a to 7a 6d.; hares, 3a to 6a fld. rabbits, la Sd. to Ss. 3d.; pintail, 2s. to 3s.; teal, la. &X. Va 2a pigeons, 9d. to la 4d. each. FISH. Soles, la 6<L to 4a Cd. per pair; bloaters, 6s to 8« sw hundred; maekarel, 8a to 8s. 6d. per doaen salmon i aS 8a 4d. per lh. turbot, 6a to 12a 6d. each; cod jes'iiu £ 12 per score kippers, 6s. »d. to 8s. per hundred whSL!? 10a to basket; lobsteriTlSred ti dosen; crabs, 00s. to 70s. per kit; eels, Sid to iw rSt" native oysters, £ lt to £ 12 12.. iThX,*0 ditto, 0a to lis. per hundred. ousnel, and coram* ntOTISION. liZ°LMA,Tll# arrivals last week tress from 6 400 htXot Bacon, and W"*egea Butter, and 408 bales 7" 8 8»od demand for tbe finest qualities el loreign Ba' 1ut WO* and a further advance of about 4a. fec^iMb Interior sorts very slow best Dutoh IMa. ■™h quite neglected. In the Bacon market then was more business transacted last week; for some deist*. advance of la. per cwt. was obtained, and tko market closed &m Butter, per cwt.: a a f Cheese, per cwt.: s; aj Dorset .174to 176 I Cheshire 74teM Frleslahd 166 164 f Double Gloucester 64 74 Jersey its 18S f Cheddar 73 M Fresh, per doa ..18 90 American 66 7* Bacon, per cwt: I 1??** Wiltshire « Oamberland 118 — Irish, green. Lab. 60 «I Wsb SS 1* TALLOW, a d. | Si «.< Town Tallow, per owt 42 0 { Sough Stuff, per cwt 17 ft Rough Fat, per 8lbs 1 9* I Greaves „ 18 ft Melted fttoff, per owfc 82 01 Good Dregs ft Yellow Romdau. Bew 48a 6d. per cwt. Australian Mutton Tallow t.1&. ML „ Ditto Beef Ditto.. 6CIL ad. HAT. WHITKCBAPXL, Saturday, March 8.—At market to-day there was-a fair supply of hay and m»aw, foe which a steads trade was done at last day's prioes, Prises elover, lOta. ta 180a j Inferior. 86a to 86a; prime meadow hay, I** te 184s. > Interior, 70a to 86a.: ana straw, Ml to 64s. par lea^ HOPS. There la extremely little paasbig In hops, and though prless appear generally pre", Arm. the tendency ot the market la 7 distinctly In favour of the consumer. On the Conttmnt atos dulness Is the prevautng feature, and any attempt to W ■ales Is scor mDenied with a concession fa nrtoe. Eaat M goldlnga, £ 9 »«. to £ 12 lfca l £ ld Kent £ 8 8a to £ 11 lla 8 Weald of Kent, £ 7 to £ 813a SusenTsd 16a to £ 8; Wee* cestera, £ 0 9s. to £ 11 lis, Farnhams, eosmtry £ 9 to /Ufi yearlings, £ 8 Sa to £ 7 Bavarian yearlings, £ 6 to £ 7 7h American, 1876, £ 6 5e. to £ 8; ditto joerftngi. £ 4 Itfc H £ 616s,