The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

THE WHITECHAPEL TRAGEDIES. 1 A LUNATIC'S CONFESSION. I POLICR PRECAUTIONS. Before Mr. Lushington, at the Thames Police- on Saturday, William Wallace Brotlie, 33, no eeedpatton and no fixed abode, was charged with being a wandering lunatic. Considerable inter<"t Was excited by the appearance of the defendant 4n account of the rumours that he was the author of the last of the Whitechapel murders. The defen- dant is a tall, powerfully-built man, and during the giving of the evidence kept his eyes fixed upon the magistrate. — Inspector Pinhorn, 11 Di vision, deposed that on Thursday night he was in charge of the Leimm-street Police-station. The defendant came up to the office, and said, I wish to giv* myself up for the murder of the woman ou Tuuaday night." "Witness said, "Do you wish to make a statement respecting the murder?" He replied, "Yes," and proceeded: I tell you, I murdered her on Tuesday night I don't tell you anything about the other eight or nine. Witness said, Let me hear what you have to say about the one on Tuesday night." He then said, "I shan't tell any more. You can find out." He questioned the accused further, but could get nothing more from him. Some papers were in his pocket— one of them a notice to a licence holder in the name of William Bri*i:e.- Mr. Lushington Was he under the influ- fnce of drink when he made the statement to you?— itness Yes, sir. Iwas not only of opinion that he was drunk, but that he was 1lig from delirium tremens.—Mr. Lushington (to the accused) Have you any question to ask the witness 'Prisoner No, sir. What he says is perfectly correct.—Detec- tive-Inspector Henry Moore said On Friday morn- ing I found the defendant detained at Leman-stree.t Police-station. He was in a very depressed condition. I said Do you remember coming here, and the serious charge yon preferred a?ai:i-t yourself?" He said. '"Yes. I committed the murder on Tuesday ni:.(ht. and if you like f will tell you all it." I told him 1 would take it down it writing. He said, "L William Brodie, wish to give myself up for committing a murder up a eourt in High-street, W hitechapel, on Tuesday morn- ing. Last December I came here." He went on to describe what he had been doing since he came Prom Africa, and said that the knife with which he committed the murders he had specially made for him at Sheffield. I afterwards examined his clothing, when he said, "This is the ninth murder fchat 1 nave committed in Whitechapel, but none of them have caused any tioublo cn my mind, except the last one. What with that and a worm in my head that wriggles about, I can't stand it any longer." In May, 1877, Brodie was sentenced to 14 years' penal servitude, and was dis- charged in August, IScS, as a licence-holder. He re- ported himself in September, stating that he was embarking for the Cap- of Good Hope. On Monday he reported himself at Scotland Yard, stating he had arrived from South Africa that day. I found Brodie was lodgingat Harvey s-builuings,in theStrand.onthe night of the murder.—Defendant: The statement I made to Mr. M. ore yesterday is correct. The statement that I lodged at Harvey's-buildings is not correct.— Detective-inspector Reid said that when defendant came into the station he was suffering from the effects of drink. In his bundle was a razor, but no knife.-Sergeant Eugene P.radshaw said that on Friday morning he went to Harvey's-buildings, and asked the landlady if she knew Brodie. She re plied, He slept here cn Tuesday, and went to bed about 11 o'clock, and did not leave until 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning. He came back at 8 o'clock on Wednesday night, drunk."—Brodie: I did not sleep there on Tuesday.—Mr. Lushington remanded the defendant. It wo3 afterwards decided to charge Brodie, en his own confession, with being the mur- derer of Alice M'Kenzie. Whitechapel and the vicinity has resumed its normal aspect. Since Saturday the police have had no one in custody in connection with the recent murder. Neither have any statements been lodged which in the slightest manner provide the ofdeera with ground upon which to base their operations. They are absolutely without any clue to the mur- derer or his whereabouts. Acting on special instruc- tions from Scotland-yard, the local police under Sergeant Arnold will have the assistance (f nearly 100 men, drafted into the district from the western, aouthern, and northern divisions. These will be placed on special beats, and under such conditions that every thoroughfare will be guarded by at least two men in uniform and mufti.

NOVEL SYSTEM OF BLACKMAIL. A peculiar case of blackmailing has come before the Paris police-court, the offender being an old lady of 57. She had arranged some months ago to publish her memoirs in a novel form. For several years she had been the friend of a wealthy Parisian, who at one time had sent her letters Of a rather gushing character, and these the re- tired courtesan threatened to incorporate in her autobiographical novel unless a certain sum of money were paid do.,Vll. Her former admirer, who was about to effect an advantageous matrimonial U'4 In' alliance, and whose prospects of wedlock would be damaged by the publication of the amorous epistles, accordingly paid some of the money asked, and no more was heard of the Circe until lately, when ce resumed her blackmailingoperations, and importuned her victim to buy his letters from her, as well as a portrait of himself which he had given her wit'i dedication in verse. The sum demanded was £ 1.000. In court, the lady told the magistrate that she had intended to hand the money over to a charitable institution, as sbu had mended her ways, and was making her peace with Paradise, but Monsieur le President, on hearing this, merely muttered Lile word halirerne or Ro-.li and sentenced the prisoner to eight months' imprisonment ai.d a hue for her blackmailing propensities.

HORSE-RACTXG AND MONEY-LENDING. In the Queen s Bench Division, Oil Saturday, Lonl Justice Lopes delivered judgment in the case of "Cochrane v. Moore." He said it was an important question, and therefore ho had taken time to cnll- sider it. The question was whether the plaintiff or the defendant was entitled to £ 'lo6 IDs. The plaintiff ciaimed it under a bill of sale, and the defendant said that there was a valid gift to him of one-fourth of Kilworth before the plaintiff's bill of sale was executed. The plaintiff was by profession a money- fender, and, like other members of that profession, he lived and fattened upon the follies, inexperi- eoce, and imprudence of his fellow creatures. For the purpose for which it existed his establish- ment in Waterloo-place was perfect. In the chief office father and son sat to relieve the financial diffi- culties of gentlemen in the adjoining chamber were five or six clerks ready to prepare any docu- ment and to carry out any order of their employers while upstairs was a salaried solicitor waiting for a summons by tube to perform his professional duty for his employers. Still all money-lenders, of whatever grade, were entitled to justice equally as if they had pursued any other calling. He believed that Mr. Benzon intended to make an immediate present to the defendant of ono-fourth of Kilworth, and that the defendant intended to accept it as a gift. There was, indeed, no delivery, nor could there be, as it was one-fourth share in a horse, and that animal was in the hands of the trainer to whom Mr. Benzon communicated the fact of the ¡ift; HfI was of the opinion that there was & valid gift to the defendant. As his decision on thia point, however, might be questioned he desired to give judgment also aa to the validity of the plain- tiff's bill of sale. It was alleged that the bill of sala was obtained by false and fradulent representation. Mr. Benzon was a young man then about 22. He had been possessed of a large fortune, which he had dissipated with a rapidity which had been aaldom or never surpassed. He had come to the con- clusion that he had given an accurate account of the interview which he nad with the plaintiff. He be- lieved that the plaintiff did on the 20th of July State that the document that Mr. Benzon signed waa not a bill of sale but a mortgage, and thai it would not be registered. Ho mistrusted the evidence that was given fortheplaintitfonthe same ttabjwct. It would be difficult to over-estimate the raekleasness, weakness, and folly of Mr. Benzon, but ha believed that he was an honest and truthful witness. Upon several occasions, when he might have answered questions in a way favourable to him- asli, he stated what was unfavourable to himself. He also believed Mr. Sydney's account of what took place when he with Mr. Benzon had an interview with the plaintiff.- -Judgment for the defendant with costs. —Mr. Kisch intimatwd on the part of the plaintiff that there wouid bean anneal.

An immense hale, some 40ft. in diameter and 20ft. in depth, 1111" opened opposite the Dane Bridge Hotel, Northwici), the site of a previous subsidence, due to brine pumping. A length of fencing was aarried down, but fortunately no loss of life ensued. Thil roadway gas and water pipes, which are carried on beams, are left suspended. Tlw libel action in which Lord Durham involved kimaelf as the champion purifier of the turf cost him, ■ays Pirrtt/iiJi.'j, the mere trifle of £10,000. Sir Qfoarles Russell's brief was marked 500 guineas, Sir Henry .Taws's fc:;00; and when it was suggested ttkaS Sir Henry's fee should be 2 ised to the larger Wis, the member for Bury very generously declined. The refreshers of each of the leaders during the MM ware 50 guineas a, day.

TO PARIS IN TWO HOURS. 7 A WATER RAILWAY. The Paris correspondent of the Dailll New. tele graphs some interesting particulars of & Press view of the so-called Ohemin de Fer Glissant," or "Slide Railway," on the Esplanade des Invalidea within the "The new invention," lie says, "is a singularly original contrivance for enabling trains to run, by means of water power, at a speed hitherto undreamt of. Arriving there without any intimation as to what a 'sliding railway' might b- I at first mistook it for an overgrown switch- back, with the humps smoothed away. The train consisted of four carriages, affording roont for about 100 passengers. The carriages had no wheels, being supported at the corners by blocks of iron of a size somewhat larger than a. brick, which rested upon a double line of iron girders. In the middle of the line at regular intervals jutted out irregu larly shaped pillars. Having taken our seats and the signal being given, we glided along vory gen!)y for the space of a few yards, when suddenly we gathered speed two or three tugs were felt and we were flying on at the pace f an ordinary train, but as smoothly as a boat OIl a river. The absence of anv vibration, shaking, or 'tail motion was wonderful. In a hydraulic train travelling at full speed—that is to say at the rate of 140 to 200 kilometres, or 87 to 124 miles an hotir--there would be almost no consciousness of motion. The journey down the length of the Esplanade only occupied a few seconds. Lrj vi our return, the chairman of the company wb s owns the invention, gave a full account of it. The sliding railway was invented in 18G8 by an engi- neer named Girard, who was killed in the Franco- German ar, and it has been improved co its present state by one of his assistant engineers, M. Barre. As has already been mentioned, the hydraulic carriages have no wheels, these being repla' -i by hollow slides fitting upon a Hat and wide rail, and grooved 011 the inner surface. When it is desired to set the carriage in motion, water is forced into the side or skate of the carriage from a reservoir by compressed air, and seeking to escape :t Rpreads over the under surface of the slide, which it raises for about a nail's thickness above the rail. The slides thus resting not on the rails, but on a film of water are in a perfectly mobile condition in fact, the pressure of the forefinger is sufficient to displace a carriage thus snp- ported. The propelling force is supplied by the pillars which stand at regular intervalson the line between the rails. Running underneath every carriage is an iron rack, about six inches wide: fitted with paddles, i Now as the foremost carriage passes in front oftito pillar a tap on the latter is opened automatically,and a stream of water at high pressure is directed on the paddles. This drives the train on, and by the time the last carriage has gone past the tap (which then closes) the foremost one is in front of the next tap, the water's action thus beinrj continuous. The force developed is almost incredible. There is some splash- ing on the rails at the start but this diminishes the faster tho train goes. To stop the train the small stream of water that feeds the slides is turned off, and, the latter coming in contact with the rails, the resulting friction stops the carriage almost in- stantaneously. A water-train running at over 100 miles an hour could be pulled up within 30 yards, could climb up gradients of 1»J inches in the yard, de- scend them with equal safety, and run on curves at 44 yards radius. This system would seem peculiarly adapted for elevated railways in cities, being light, noiseless, smooth, without smoke, fast and thoroughly under command. The danger of running off tne rails is reduced to a minimum, the centre of gravity of the carriages being scarcely more than a couple of feet from tho rails. The cost of the metropolitan system would only be a third of one on the old plan. while in the open country its cost would be somewhat higher than the ordinary rail- way but M. Barre says that the expense would be in France an average of £ 8,000 a mile. Where no natural water supply 13 available, a pro. polling machine every 12 n>ile> rr 1m would be sufficient to keep trains going at full speed. The consumption of coal [>er pas euger would le 1 only of the usual quantity. The ::e o- n .oic of thi.s may be realised by considering the statement that the Paris-Lyons Company alone has an annual coal bill of two millions sterling. Nevertheless, it would be rash to predict the general introduction of tie water system on railways. One objection, for in- stance, is its apparent unsuitability for goods trarlic. M. Persil, the manager of 'the Cbemjnn de Fer Glissants,' believes it will all but do away wih the locomotive engine. With respect to England, he believes that the disadvantage of the present slow method of crossing the Channel will become so ap- parent that all opposition to the tunnel will vanish. I am ready,' he said with enthusiasm, 'to wager any sum that when the tunnel is mads and our system is given a trial people will go from London to Paris in two hours,'

Another grave connected with the adminis- tration of justice j:, pper Burmnh has been re- cently checked. Lis' ructions have been given that lcoforward no jr.in•> officer in to try dacoits who iia-'O been pursued !>y .n. Th,. ,Ite 1u:- ¡" v.oru at of the per- V.'iiHi estate of the i: .••Mr. Clement Francis Wedg- Vood, of Ktrtiria aie 1 .riaston, Staffordshire, nianu- l--r iiof earthemvure, \vh.> died in January,

THE SHAH IN SCOTLAND. The Shah of Persia arrived on Friday afternoor at Glanmuick House, Ballater, the residence of Mr. J. T. Mackenzie. At Aberdeen, where the royai train stopped, his Majesty was presented by th< corporation with aa address congratulating him on hia visit to this country. His'Majesty replied in a brief speech, interpreted by Prince Malcom Khan, reciprocating the good wishes offered to him, and expressing the hope that an increase of commercial prosperity between the two countries would be ob- tained. Great preparations had been made for the entertainment of the Shah at Glenmuick House Prince Albert Victor journeyed from London over night, and along with Mr. Mackenzie met the Shal and suite at Ballater station. Highland games were witnessed by the illustrious visitor on a lawn in front of Glenmuick House and in the evening some 50C of Mr. Mackenzie's tenantry were entertained to a ball in a spacious marquee in front of the mansion house. The Shah was escorted to the ballroom, in the course of the evening, by 40 clansmen bearinp lighted torches, and for a short time appeared very interested in the Highland dancing. The Shah, accompanied by Prince Albert Victor, travelled from Glenmuick House, Ballater, on Satur- day, to In vercauld House, where the royal party were the guests of Sir Algernon Borthwick,M. P. The royal party drove in carriages with outriders along the south bank of the Dee as far as Balmoral Castle, t where the Shah was conducted over the residence by Dr. l'rofeit, her Majesty's Commissioner, and shewn various rooms and other features (Ifi IIterest. The journey was then resumed, Mr. Mackenzie returning to Glenmuick, and Invereauld being reached about {j o clock. Dinner was served soon after the arrival of his Majesty, who in the evening witnessed, among other entertainments, a torch dance by a number of Highlanders in full costume. A ball was afterwards held, at which his Majesty was present. On Monday morning the Shah and his suite left In vercauld House for Ballater Station en route for the south. Prince Alber Victor of Wales and his attendants also took their departure from Invereauld House at the same time. The Shah arrived at Philiiwtown Station at half-past fue and was received by the. Earl of llopetoun and a guard of honour of the Linlithgowshire Volunteers. A large crowd had assembled and loudly cheered his Majesty as he drove off to Hopetoun Hous«. In the evening the Shah dined with his host and a select party, which included the Marquis of Lothian, Lord Young, Sir John Fowler, and other distin- guished guests. A special musical performance fol- lowed.

A VESSEL BLOWN UP. About noon on Friday the schooner C'atherina, of Carnarvon (master, John Evans), blew up at Thames Haven, causing the death of one man and injuring another. The vessel, which was manned by the captain and his three sons, was loaded a few days since at the Thames Haven Petroleum Wharf with a cargo of naphtha lor Bristol, and was then hauled off into the river, where it lay at anchor. At the time of the occurience the captain and one of his sons were m the cabin, and were blown through a skylight. The youngest son was blown into the air and then fell into the water, while the third son was not seen again. The survivors were picked up by the petro- leum wharf boat and taken ashore, where the injured man was conveyed to the Cravesend Hospital. The captain escaped with simply his whiskers singed. After the explosion, which blew the deck out of the ship, the cargo took fire and burnt very fiercely for two or three hours, when the wff,k sank, leaving burning barrels floating on the river.

TRIAL BY ORDEAL IN CEYLON. The Times of India just to hand says: Ceylon, it geenis, despite her enterprise in the direction of tea and tobacco, in a good many respects, is not yet out of her swaddling clothes. A few weeks ago one Dingirihami had a quantity of plumbago and rice stolen from her. There was no clue to the thief, and after due inquiry had been made, the village headman announced that a trial by ordeal would be necessary. This, it seems, is not by any means an uncommon custom in Ceylon. Oil from newly- gathered king cocoanuts is manufactured by one of the friends of the complainant this is poured into a chatty and heated over the fire. Each of the sus- pected parties is suoiiosed to dip his hand into the vessel of boiling oil, and is at liberty to sprinkle as much of the hot oil as he brings up with his fingers on the person of the complainant, who stands close at hand. Any exclamation of pain on the part of the suspected person is construed into an admission of guilt. If no such exclamation is made the innocence of the party is supposed to be established—the theory being that only the guilty suffer any pain from the ordeal. In the present case four men and a. boy were condemned to trial by this terrible ordeal, and were forced to dip then hands into tb* burning oil. Though much hurt the four men had sufficient &elf-control to refrain from crying out, but the boy Hendrick, who, though he received, according to the doctor, a lesser amount of injury than the rest, cried out lustily. There- upon he was pronounced to be the guilty one, and soon afterwards died of his injuries. For their shart in these proceedings the headman and two of hit friends, who constituted themselves judges at the trial by ordeal, have since been brought up for trial and— fined Rs. 100 each.

Mr. Herbert de Stern has promiaed £2,000 to erect a clock tower and drinking fountain in memory of his father, the late Baron de Stern, in front of the People's Palace and adjacent to the Mile End-road A Paris correapondent states that a young Rus- sian giantess has just reached that city. Her name is Elizabeth Liska. She is only 11 years of age, and is already 6ft. 6in. in height. Her parents are of ordinary stature, and her brothers and sisters, of whom she has five, are not above the average height. Her abnormal growth only commenced when the was 4 years of age, but the doctors say she will continue to grow for some time to come. Her de- velopment is in keeping with her stature. She measures 3ft. l'in. round the waist and 3ft. llin. round the chest. The Spanish Minister of War has been actively pushing forward the, fortifications on the Pyrennean frontier, where Spain seems to be preparing at great expense works sufficient not unly to protect her terri- tory against French invasions, but also to serve as a basis for hostile demonstrations should they be neces- sary. The forts near Irun and Pampeluna hava recently been armed with heavy modern guns.

HERE AND THERE. (From a London Correspondent.) THE SHAH and HIS Mwotte—Browhiwg'§ Bitter Outbreak—Brokex OPF-A LUCIY CRICKETER-AJrRoR's Complaint—Thj? SEOo retan Pictures. I fancy people are getting rather tired of the Shah and his boy, but all the same I cannot resist from giving the true account of the origin of the strange combination. I heard it from one of his Majesty's suite, so that, on the face of it, it may be taken as true. It seems that a certain "wise woman lives in Persia, who has attained to great celebrity as a witch. A couple of hundred years ago she would have been burnt in England, but at Teheran she is regarded with great awe. She is an astute old lady, and not without family affection. Among her other relations was a favourite nephew. One day a brilliant idea struck her. She went to the palace, obtained an audience of the §hah, and informed him that she had just had a vision in which she was told that so long aa her nephew was with the Shah no harm would befall his Majesty. The Shah did not assign much importance to the story, but there was no great harm in attaching another member to His cumbrous suite, and so the boy was ordered to be taken about with him wherever he travelled. Now the mysterious ways of Providence become apparent. Not lung after the nephew had been admitted to the palace the Shah went on one of his shooting expeditions. On these occasions he lives in one of the numerous boxet which are built throughout the country for this purpose. In the middle of the night a terrible uproar took place. Yells and roars were heard issuing from the chamber of the sacred boy. The whole household was roused, and rushed to the chamber whence the noises came. Nothing more terrible was discovered than that the precious youth—as is the way with spoilt boyg —had over-eaten himself and had a violent attack of indigestion. Remedies were applied, and the clamour subsided. Meantime an ominous crack- ing was heard. The cry went up that the shooting- box was falling. In a moment the Shah and his suite were in the open air, and only just in time, for the roof fell in with a crash directly afterwards. Only for the indigestion of the maxcotte the household would have been im- mersed in slumber, and the Shah would have been crushed to death. After this, can it be wondered at that the words of the witch were believed in implicitly ? Every admirer of Mr. Browning will read with pain his extraordinary lines in the Athewfum. They are addressed to Edward Fitzgerald, who is dead. The poet considers whether, if Fitzgerald were still living, he should kick him like a common cur, or spit on him This explosion is provoked by a passage in ono of Fitzgerald's letters, which Mr. Brown- ing construes into an expression of thankful- ness at the death of his wife. I chanced upon a new book yesterday I opened it, and, where my finger lay 'Twixt page and uncut page, these words I read -Some six or seven at most—and learned thereby That you, Fitzgerald, whom by ear and eye Shenever knew/thanked Godmy wife wasdead. Fitzgerald certainly said that Mrs. Browning't death was a relief to him, and added, "Thank God, no more Aurora Leighs He detested the idea of any woman writing anything, and hit,language was certainly in the worst possible taste. Unfortunately, Mr. Browning's is nob much better. Ay, dead and were yourself alive, good Fitz, How to return you thanks would task my wita: Kicking you seems the common lot of curs- While more appropriate greeting lends you graco S Surely to spit there glorifies your face- Spitting-from lijw once sanctified by Hera." No olFence could possibly justify such a man ia auch an outbreak. It has been rumoured for some days in society that the projected marriage between the Hon. Violet Lane-Fox and Lord Burghersh would not take place and it is now publicly announced that the match has been broken off. The reason is a curious one, and re- flects credit rather than discredit upon Lord Burghersh. It seems that when he came of age he made himself responsible for a large amount of debts which had been incurred by a member of his family. His self-constituted creditors are now clamorous, and it is feared that they may institute legal proceedings. Under the circumstances, Lady Conyers thougnc it better t1. he,- d-nigh^er should not marry Lord Burghersh, who thus has to pay tha penalty for having a higher standard of honour than most men nmv-a-days can lay claim to. Mr. Jackson, who was playing for Harrow this year at Lord'3, is a fortunate young man. His father, who is Mr. W. L. Jackson, the financial secretary to the Treasury, pro- mised him, both this year and last, £5 for every wicket he bowled, and a guinea for every run he scored. Last year ho compiled £150. Very similar terms were offered to Lord George Scott in the Oxford and Cam- bridge match in 18S7 by his father, the Duke of Buccleuch, that is to say a sovereign for every run. This might have seemed an offer to be inexpensively defrayed, as Lord George was only added at the last moment to the Oxford team. However, he promptly made 100 and 66 in his two innings respectively. The troubles of a petty juror. A small householder, who has a business to look after, was summoned on the petty jury at the Guildford assizes the other day. Living a good many miles from Guildford, he had to abandon his business altogether for the best part of a week,and to remain at Guildford at iiis own charges. There were one hundred and fifty others of his class, who had been summoned, and were in attendance, the penalty for dis- obeying the summons being JE25. Only thirty- six of this number were called upon to act as jurors, but the whole hundred and a-half were kept in waiting during the sessions, and none of them received any compensation. The members of the grand jury, meanwhile, all of them persons of some station, were receiving their guinea a day a-pieco. It seems unjust that the class which can least atFord to nerve its country gratuitously should be the one that is called upon to do so and it is absurd that 150 ahould be summoned where only 36 are wanted. I do not think any picture sale that haa taken place in London this season would com- pare in interest with the one held at Christie's on Saturday afternoon, when seven- teen works from the great Secretan collection! were put up. The se\enteen, 'by the way, wero aent over here as security for some or the obligations of the copper syndicate, it was thought that no better market could be found for them than in London. I trust that some of the pieces —they are all tine wul go to enrich our national collections. There are two Eugene Delacroixs, two W uver- manns, an Isaac Ostade, a Van de Veldo. two Hobbeinas, a Teniers, a Millet, a 1e. Igino, Madonna, a Decamps, a Winnower, and four by J. D. Pater.

The Mandday Herald states that the troops at Bhamo are suffering severely from fever, 17 per cent. of the Hampshire Regiment and 25 per cent. of the 17th Bengal Infantry being in hospital.

JUGGLING IN THE WRONG PLACE. At Westminster Polioe-courfc, Florrie Cook, 25, a well-dressed young woman. has been charged with attempting tu steal a sovereign from Mr. Alfred Tal- mey, provision dealer, of South Kensington.—An assistant in the shop deposed prisoner drove up in a pony and trap, alighted, and was served with some bacon, for which she paid. She then put down a shilling and two half-sovereigns requesting coppers for the former and a sovereign for the latter. Th* witness gave her sixpennyworth of coppers, a sixpence, and a sovereign, and took up the coins she frnt down. The sovereign seemed to disappear' laughter)—and witness was astounded when she cal' d attention to a halfpenny which took its place and coolly requested that the mistake might be recti- fied. She made such a commotion that Mr. Talme5" 1 suggested that a policeman should be fetched, and she would have lett but at that moment a traveller entered for orders, and exclaimed, in her h'-iring, that is tl-e woman v. ho tried the same trick on at Croft's a provision dealer at XnightsSridge | -when T was there half an hour ago." She nJacte a hurried exit, Mr. Talmey calling out, as she turned round, that he caught sight of thH sovereign, ao- parentlv sticking on her lieek,close to her collar, managed to get up in her trap, but was detained and given into custody. She was remanded.

A BANKRU PT'S GAMBLING LOSSES. In the Court of Bankruptcy Justice Wills has been engaged in hearing an appeal arising out of the bankruptcy of Mr. Ralph Kekewich Lopes, barrister-at-law, who has lost heavily by betting on the turf. Messrs. Hardaway i.*] ng,bookiiiakt!rs and turf commission agents, Claimed £ 521,arising out of the bankrupt's letting transactions, but the claim was rejected by the Official Receiver, and Meesrs. Hardaway and Topping appealed. Mr. Topping deposed that he was a bookmaker and commission agent. He had refused personally to see the bankrupt, but the firm insisted on proceedings being taken.— Ln reply to the learned judge, it was stated that an account described as particulars of comnmsions "had been furnished, but the books did not distinguish between bets made direct and bets made on commission. The witness further stated that he had not had any transactions with Mr. Lopes direct since May, 1ö.6, when he gave him au introduction to the firm. He also gave Mr. Lopes an undertaking not to sue him for the amount that was due from him to witness at that time.—Mr. H. J. Selby said that tie was the junior partner in the firm of Hardaway and Topping. The head office was at Boulogne, where a very extensive commission busi- ness was done,and witness attended to the business in London. Topping was a bookmaker pure and simple. Witness transacted business with members of racing clubs, and they were all supposed to be respectable people,- The Judge: Indeed (A laugh.) — The witness said his weaning was that a man would not be admitted as a member of a racing club unlass he was considered to be trustworthy. Replying to Mr. Willis, -the witness said that his firm did not make bets with the bankrupt direct, but betted or him on commission.—Justice Wills said there was nothing to shew that the olaim made by Messrs. Hardaway and Topping was in respect of commissions executed by them for the bankrupt, and not for bets made on their own account. They carried on a gigantic gambling estab- lishment,and were not tntitlerl to more consideration than if they kept a mere gambling hell. There was no sufficient proof that the appe, n's had been exe- cuting commissions on the bankrupt., !>eh:f, en as to entitle them to prove for money peel 1. them on his account, and, in his judgment, the Official Re- ceiver had exercised a very wise and sound discre- tionin rejecting the claim.—The appeal was dismissed with costs.

ILLNESS OF A RUSSIAN GRAND DUKE. The Grand Duke Constantine, uncle of the present Kmpfiror and brother of the late Alexander II., is lying dangerously ill in his suburban residence at Pavlowsk. For some time past his Imperial High- ness has complained of pains at the left side of the head and the right side of the body. These symptoms ha\e taken the form of paralysis of tho right cheek and ths extremities, with loss of speceh. During? the la.-t few days the Grand Duke has becomo much worse, the paralysis having increased, and I being accompanied with difficulty of breathing, and 1.'Ilsri "8. loss of consciousness. On Sunday morning his Im- iKirial Highness received the sacrament. Durint? the day the Emperor and Empross drove from P-»tetbo!t to Pavlowsk to see the Imperial sufferer.

MR. PARNELL IN EDINBURGH. SPEECH ON THE IRISH QUESTION. Mr. Parnell arrived at Edinburgh on Friday bight. He was met at the Caledonian Station by a deputation of working men, and a procession, con- sisting of several thousand persons, and headed by bands, marched to Calton-hill, where an address of welcome was presented.—Mr. Parnell, in returning thanks for the address, said that he knew that the demonstration had not been given to him personally, but it was accorded because they desired to help Mr. Gladstone to settle the Irish question, and because they desired to encourage Ireland in the peaceable and constitutional attitude tiat it held to-day.—Mr. Parnell then drove off, escorted by the procession. On Saturday, Mr. Parnell was presented with the freed; tn of the City of Edinburgh, Bailie Walcot making the presentation in the absence of the Lord Provost, who was opposed to the proceeding. The Irish leader was well received, both in the Council Chamber and in the streets. In acknowledging tho compliment Mr. Parnell referred at some length to the Special Commission. He acknowledged the courteous manner in which the judges had discharged their duties, but said that had he know u that the books of the Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union were to be closed against him, and that acts of conspiracy against the Irish party were to be covered up, he never would have set foot in the law courts. In the afternoon a meeting was held in the Corn Exchange, the Earl of Aberdeen presiding. A resolution welcoming Mr. Parnell to the capital of Scotland, and thanking him for his labours in the cause of freedom for Ireland, and in the promotion of unity and brotherhood between the three king- doms, having been adopted, Mr. Parnell replied, and said that as the lender and the person wa- duubtedly responsible for the great movement of Mm Lard League commenced in ISID, lie had to admit to them that possibly there were regrettable accompani- nieiits of the movement, but they must take a publio movement as a whole. They must judge it by the circumstances of the times and by what it had led to. The Land League was undoubtedly to soma extent in its commencement a turbulent movement. s It was a spontaneous uprising, an uncultivated uprising, of an enslaved people against their rulers. It was provoked and stimulated almost beyond con- trol by the action of the House of Lords in rejecting the Compensation Bit! and if there was anything to be regretted, anything to be avoided in the move- ment, they had to go back and blame the originators of the movement- the hereditary legislature. Still the Irish people had shewn that they could profit by the experience of the past in theconductof the movement that had stiocee(led-that of the National League, against which there had not been one single atom of evidence brought or alleged. The secretary of that movement had appeared in the court with every book, cheque, and counterfoil. He waa examined and cross-examined, and not a single question was asked him concerning any item in his books, letters, or papers during that trying period of examination. With regard to the books of the Land League he had to say that they produced the cash books, although they were 9 and 10 years old. He spent his time in searching for them, but they had got so little thanks for their production, either from the judges or the Tory party, that were the matter to be gone over again, and were he to be asked to find them as he was Mked by Judge llannen in the box, he should tell hhn to tind them himself, j They had got, he hoped, nearly to the end of the movement of the National League by the concession of a national body to Ireland. By such legislation only could Ireland be governed justly and equitably. The lesson had been taught in former times that agitation could alone secure remedial measures. The public opinion of Great Britain could not be defied either by the House of Lords "T the House of Commons, but it was not so with Ireland. There public opinion counted for nothing. Mr. Parnell illustrated his point as to tho tardiness of legislation by the Catholic Emancipation Act. the tithes movement, and the anomaly of the English Church Establishment, and the Land Act of 1881. They had it on the authority of Mr. Chamberlain himself that he advised that the Laud League should not be curbed prior to its passage, lest there should not be a fori o without the I.eague to secure the passage of the Act through the House of Lords. He had honestly approached the solution of this question in die only way in which it could ever be solved. They had on one hand Lord Salisbury, with :) years of coercion. He had been at it for three years, and the conscience "f tho people had revolted against it. rlhe Great Liberal party and their great leader had taken up this question. Mr. Parnell said, in conclusion We are confident that neither you nor he will rest until you have carried this legitimate concession. Wherever it in shewn that a safeguard can be introduced, a safeguard for the protection, if you like. of the Protestant minority in Ireland, a safeguard for the protection of your fleets and armies from the designs of Irish members sitting at College-green, arything that you wish in that direction we are will- ing to agree to, because it is quite legitimate that we With our smaller—our insignificantly smaller and poor interest, as compared with your vastly greater ones—should be willing to agree to such safeguards and such limitations.—Mr. Justin M'Carthy also re- pponded to the resolution, and the meeting shortly afterwards terminated. Air. Parnell "\Ih"Pl"wnt1v 1Aft for London. __a.

SIR C. RUSSELL ON HOME RULE. On Saturday Sir Charles Russell, M.P., laid the foundation-Krone of new premises for the Hampstead Liberal Club, and afterwards addressed a crowded meeting in connection then with in the Hampstead Drill IIall and Assi miily Rooms. In the course of his ¡..pe, ch Sir Chanes ]J1[V,j.. special reference to the result of the in East Marvlebone as one which ought to afford great encourage- went to all Liberals and Radicals. lie contended that Mr. (Ibulstone never ],1' thoroughly re- presented the tn.e ai.d essential principles of Liberalism th:-n when he brought forward the ques- tion of Home Rule. The effect of Mr. Gladstone's policy had been to brii ■r the hearts of the people of Ireland and of the people of England closer together than they had ever been before, and had called forth hopes of a brighter future, a firmer compact, and a more real union. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Sir Charles Russell. Mr. II. 11. Asquith, M.P., also addressed the meeting.

ADVENTURE ON A LOCOMOTIVE. A curious adventure happened the other day to Mr. D. Campbell, late honorary assistant engineer, Public Works Department, and now pelmanent-way inspector of the Indian .Midland Railway. As lie was tra ellin¡; OIl the Cawnpore line soma 12 miles out of J hansi, seated cn the front part of a lre< 11 o- tive, he noticed in front of him a large number of vultures collecting and evidently disputing OUT st me object, which, as the engine drew near, proved to be the carcass of a jackal, probably killed by a passing train. Tho locomotiu* with the inspector in front, charged in among these birds, who seemed determined, notwithstanding, to abide by their prey. The result was that while some were killed others of them were thrown against Mr. Campl>ell, whom they straightway proceeded to attack in a most vicious manner, tearing his clothes, and inflicting consider- able wounds on his hands and face. He was able, however, to retain his position on the engine, and to defend himself from further injury, and he considers himself fortunate in escaping without anything more serious happening.

MH. GOSCHEN AND THE TORIES. The favourite topic of speculation in Couserva tivequarters just now,says the Atmicr,otter (• uaruian, is Mr. Goschen's future relationship with the orthodox Tory party. The Chancellor of the Ex. chequer's name—according to current report cotnea up for election at the Carlton Club in a few days, and the idea is current that if he is recei\ed there— as there is little doubt will be the case—witii open arm:, his election will be followed by a specific de- claration in reference to his own position in the Con- servative party. )1; Go>chen cannot be deaf and blind to w hat is going on in the Ministerial ranks, and he must know that his right of succession to the leadership of the party in the House of Commons is warmly controverted by men whose opinions carry great weight in the party councils, there arc a good mriny*re,a.,i ns for this- some of them purely prr.v>usd. There are many Conservatives who dislike Mr. (io.-chen's hig tendencies, and doubt whether he possesses either thetait or the temper for the leader- ship. lie would certainly irritate opponents in a \\&y Mr. Smith never does. Others object to his leadership not so much in itself but because it would exclude other olaimar.ts for promotion. But the I objection ill ail eases is that Mr. Goschen is not a Conservative, but still clings to the title of 1 .literal l-lli, nist.and it is out of the question that ft Liberal should become permanently the leader of the Tory following. if the Chancellor of the Kxoht quer were l'lbody to cut himse.f adrift from his Unionist ttii mis 11.1;d throw in his lot villi Lord Sa'i b..ry, s><! p. uv who a: o intriguing agnnirt his h-n .,1- d bo deputed of by lar the most <u It: la iiiiblili t.

LAND REGISTRY IN IRELAND. The Registration of Assurances (Ireland) Bill, prepared and introduced by Mr. Balfour, Chief Secretary and Solicitor General for Ireland, was issued on Monday morning. Its object is to consoli- date and amend the laws relating to the registration of deeds and judgments, and to provide for the regis- tration of other assurances, acts, and matters affect- ing land in Ireland in fact, to place the entire system of land registry in Ireland on a satisfactory basiit with special reference to recent legislation and the recent multiplication of the number of small pro- prietors,*

BETTING AND GAMING. ■ In the Queen's Bench Division on Monday, Mr. F. Fulton applied on behalf of two persons who had been prosecuted under the Betting Acts for a rule for a writ of certiorari to bring up a decision of the justices at Exeter to be quashed. The ap- plicants were prosecuted for keeping a betting house, and certain books and documents found with them were directed to be destroyed, on the ground that they came within the meaning of the Act of 1845 as instruments of unlawful gaming. The learned counsel submitted that betting was not unlawful gaming in itself, and that the books and documents in ques- tion did not come within the meaning of the statute. —The Court granted a rule to shew cause.

THE DELUGE AT HONG KONC. The Chinese mail brings full dotails of the great rain storm and loss of life that occurred recently at Hong Kong, when no less than L'O inches of rain fell in 24 hours. It had already been raining more or less for 10 days. Another storm commenced about 7 in the morning, and shortly before noon a landslip occurred on the hillside above the Peak tramway, carrying 100 yards of the line clean away, as well as a bridge and immense quantities of rails and gir- ders. The sewers burst in all directions, and some of the streets were actual cataracts, while others were completely flooded. Twenty or thirty builders were in a shed at the Peak when it was struck by lightning, and eight were killed. At the junction of the Queen's-road with Kennedy-road a mass of earth fell, forming a solid bank nearly 40 feet high. Three otlit,r landslips occurred, one carrying away part of the Protestant cemetery, and washing the tomb- atones on to the racecourse. :\Iall\' houses fell, burying the inmates. The damage done to property ia estimate at not less than 200,OOOdol.

A QUESTION OF CREED. In the Queen's Bench Division OIl Monday, beforo Justices Day and Smith, Mr. Joseph Walton applied for a writ of habens corpus directing Dr. Barnardo to hand over a child, under 10 years of ,ige, named James Brooks, to its mother. The ('h;1, mother was marned in August, 1XSI5, and while she was living in France with her husband he deserted her. In February, 188o, the mother placed the child with Dr. Barnardo, and he had since been brought up in one of the homes of that gentleman, but now she had made arrangements for the bringing up of the boy, and she desired to have him back. He (the learned counsel) understood that the reason Dr. Barnardo re- fused to part with the boy was that the father was a Protestant, and the mother's intention was to bring up the child as a Catholic but lie contended that such a reason was utterly irrelevant.—Mr. W.Baker, for Dr.Barnardo,said the mother was in adying state, and the affidavits shewed that tho lady to whose care it was proposed to entrust the child was a Catholic. L'e submitted that the religion of the father was the religion in which a child should be brought up. He asked not that the mother should be deprived of her rights in regard to her child, but that a guardian jointly with her should be appointed. A Protestant clergyman was willing to bring the boy up.—Their lordships were of opinion that the ctuidshouldbe delivered up to the mother, and made an order accordingly.

ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A MOTHER. Mary Emma Wrighton, aged 37, a married woman, was charged at Bow-street Police-court on Monday with attempting to murder her two children and with attempting to commit suicide.—George Gregory said that on Wednesday he was on duty on the Victona Embankment, near tho Westminster pier, when his attention was attracted by somethingthrown over the parapet.—Mr. Vaugliati (the magistrate): By whom?—Witness A woman. I turned round and saw the prisoner take a child and climb on the parapet. Sne let the child fall into the water and threw herself in after it. I gave the alarm by whistling. On arriving at the pier I saw three bodies floating. A strong tide flowing, they ware carried towards the pier. I leaned down, ana by means of a boathook I caught hold of the younger child. The other child and the prisoner were also saved with the assistance of Mr. Jones. The woman was unconscious, and was taken to the hospital. The children did not appear to be much the worst: for their immersion. There were two other children with the prisoner.—Mr. Vaughan suid he was glad to have the opportunity of commending the constable for the way in which he had acted.—Mr. Douglas, the pier-master, deposed to rescuing the woman by means of a bo tt. She said something about her Door head and her children. Dr. Hunt, of West- minster Hospital, deposed to the prisoner being brought to the hospital with the children. She was unconscious. Aftt'r three or four hours the prisoner camo round. She appeared very depressed, and was sotn-r. St.o complained of a pain in her head. She said .).t she went out to get something for dinner. Her head ached very much, and she heard thunder. After that she remembered no more. She wa now perfectly rational. He did not think she was reHpOIlElible fur her actions. Since the defen- dant bad been in the hospital she had been vinited by tier bulbar,d, and they ttppeared to be on very aif'-ctionate terms.—The prisoner was remanded until Friday, Dr. Hunt expressing his willingness to re- admit her to the hospital.

HOW DEPOSITORS WERE SWINDLED. The interim report of the Commission appointed te inquire into the affairs of the Macclesfield Savings Bank has been published. It states that the total accounts of the bank amounted to i.'o00,000, thti number of depositors being about 6,000. The report of the actuary who was appointed to investigate the affairs of the bank, and who found a deficiency of i'4.602. is given at length. The defalcations went back to 1876. The embezzlements began to assume serious dimensions about I860, and the principal method of the defaulting clerk was to present fictitious pass-books, fill up and mark a receipt, the payment being entered in the cash-book by the senior clerk, and the money appropriated by Rack- ham. He also opened accounts outside the bank, and took special advantage of the poorly-educated country depositors, inducing them to sign a blank form of re- ceipt, thus enabling him to get the money even from the actuary. The actuary severely censures the method of audit, the number of erasures in the book, and the practice of leaving the pay-books in the defaulting clerk's hands. The Commissioner commenta on the actuary's report, which says It is characteristic of the management of the Macclesfield Bank that successive actuaries had made illegal depo-its." The Dirty Book was charged with no less a function than that of balancing accounts, which failed to balance any other way aince 1858. Any amount by which the bank aooounte happened to appeal to be wrong —for in reality some £ o,000 was gradually stolen from the bank by Rack ham between 1880 and 1888-wal accordingly put down in the Dirty Book as Errors undiscovered." The same amount was then added to or subtracted from the item entered in the general statement as "interest allowed by the trustees to depositors for the past year." Thus this item was falsified by deliberate alterations or subtractions for 30 years. The annual general statement thus "cooked was submitted to the managing committee, and the evidenoe taken by the Commissioner leaves no doubt that the successive actuaries and those mem- bers of the managing committee who attended were knowingly parties to the annual proceeding. Nevertheless, they signed and certified the general statement each year. Had the trustees in any one year honeatly examined their books, and honestly balanced their aooounte the Rackham frauds could not have failed to be discovered. The report deals in some detail with the management of the bank, which was so confused and mixed up that there was not any check whatever on the transactions of the bank with its depositors. The commissioner then says that the Managing Committee are personally liable for negligence or omission in the maintenance of checks prescribed by the Act of 1863. They left everything to the clerks, the checking of the pass- books was neglected, so that "Rackham enjoyed large opportunities for the manufactureof falsa onea."