The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

POLITICAL GOSSIP, THE Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy, M.P., has found it necessary, in consequence of the pressure of his official duties, to resign the chairmanship of the West Kent Quarter Sessions. EARL RUSSELL has invited his former colleagues to dinner on the 18th inst. This being the usual custom of the leader of the Opposition" on the meeting of Parliament, the fact is thought to confirm the belief that that meeting will be fixed for the 19th. Miss BURDETT COUTTS has issued a notice to her tenants, explaining to them that they are now occu- piers" entitled by law to a place on the register of Par- liamentary voters that she, as owner," is charged with liability for the rates, and that they are legally per- mitted to deduct them from the rent. A LIBERAL M.P., who has sat in the House of Com- mons for twenty years, says that in all probability an attempt will be made next Session to oust the Govern- ment on the redistribution of seats question. He does not think that will succeed, as the present House is of opinion that the question ought to be left to the new House. WE understand (says the United Service Gazette) that a court of inquiry is engaged in the investigation of matters connected with a financial crisis which has recently occurred in a certain cavalry regiment now stationed at Aldershot. One of the immediate results may be a statement in the Gazette, but there are revela- tions which, if made public, will throw a light on cavalry life which has long been wanting. THE American October elections have resulted in a defeat of the Radical party. In Pennsylvania, last year's majority of 17,178 has been converted into a minority of 4,000. In the state of Ohio, last year's majority of 42,696 has been annihilated. The same result is reported from Indiana and Iowa. All the Democratic candidates were returned by large majorities in Philadelphia. These issues make a popularrwreation from the excesses of Congress. The Times New York correspondent regards the question of negro-supremacy as being now virtually disposed of. He says The negro must be content hereafter to belong to a subordi- nate race for neither American party, so long as the present generation exists, can succeed by championing him." A. mraiIOTJOXJX auti Influentially signed requisition has been presented to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, re- questing him to convene a special meeting of the Town Council to consider the present state of the country, and to determine what measures ought to be adopted, having regard to the agitation with which the public tranquillity is threatened by the meeting recently held at Hillsborough for the purpose of perpetuating an odious ascendancy and other cognate abuses, and of preventing remedial legislation for Ireland by overawing the Parliament of the empire." His lordship has com- plied with the requisition and the meeting will be held on Monday next. IT is said that some days ago the Pope visited the Garibaldians imprisoned in Fort St. Angelo, who knelt. He then addressed them as follows :—" Behold him whom your general calls the vampire of Italy. It is against me you have all taken up arms. And what do you see ? a poor old man." The Pope then drew nearer, and addressed several of the prisoners personally, saying, You, my friend, have lost your shoes, and you your shirt, and you your coat, and you your hat. Ah, well! I shall see you are provided, and then I shall send you away to your own homes only I shall ask you first, as Catholics, to make a spiritual retirement for my sake. You know, my dear friends, that it is the Pope himself who asks this of you." The Garibaldians were deeply moved by this address, and pressed forward to kiss the cross bordering the Pope's robe, when the Holy Father gave them his benediction. LORD GRANVILLE has been winning good opinions in Paris by the urbanity, dignity, and thorough efficiency with which he presided over the grand banquet given to the Imperial Commission by the Foreign Commis- sioners of the Great Exhibition on Saturday last. Lord Granville is always a graceful if not a very powerful speaker and on this occasion he seems to have selected his ideas and words with unusual tact, and to have pro- nounced them, though in a foreign language, with capti- vating grace. M. Rouher introduced a political element, merely, however, to declare that the object of the impe- rial policy on the Roman question was to avert the march of revolutionary bands, and not to provoke war with the Italian Government. A good many people ask why such a banquet as this should have been given. ELECTION MOVEMENTS.—The candidates for a vacancy occasioned in the representation of South Leicestershire by the death of Mr. C. W. Packe are Mr. Tertius Paget (Liberal) and Mr. A. Pell (Conservative). Mr. Pell is the representative of the tenant-farmer interest, and if returned would occupy much the same position in the house as Mr. Jasper More, the member for Shropshire, and Mr. C. S. Read, the member for East Norfolk. Mr. G. H. Fitch continues the only candidate for the seat for Rutlandshire rendered vacant by the elevation of the Hon. G. H.lHeatheote to the peerage. Mr. E. W. Cox, recorder of Helston, who unsuccessfully contested Taunton at the last general election, is again named as a candidate. A meeting of the Liberal party of Plymouth has adopted a resolution expressing confidence in Sir R. P. Collier as one of the representatives of the town, Sir Robert having previously entered upon an elaborate review of public affairs. Mr. Miall's committee in connection with tha recent election for Bradford propose to get up a gather- ing in his honour at that town. The dinner will be fol- lowed by a demonstration, in which it is hoped that Lord Houghton, Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. Baines, M.P., Mr. Stansfeld, M.P., and Mr. T. B. Potter, M.P. will take part. Six new members will take their seats in the House of Commons on its assembling on the 19th inst., when new writs will probably be moved for South Leices- tershire and Piutlandshire.

DEATH OF SIR MATTHEW SATJSSE. — Sir r,, a Matthew Richard Sausse, late Chief Justice of Bombay, died on Tuesday morning at Killarney-houae, the seat oi Lord Castlerosse. MORE TRADE OUTRAGES.—Two men, named Heyes and Marsden, were charged on Monday with at- tacking a man named Martin, a non-unionist collier, at a place called Little Lever, near Bolton. On the night of Saturday, the 26th ult., Heyes and Marsden upbraided Martin with being a knobstick." Heyes also called him a wastrel," to which Martin rejoined, If I'm a wastrel,' I'm not lazy." Thereupon Heyes dealt a heavy blow at Martin's face, which knocked him to the ground. Afterwards Heyes, who was urged on by Marsden, kicked Martin fearfully in the abdomen. Martin lay for some time insensible, and had been laid up ever since from the injuries he then received. The magistrate committed Heyes for three months and Marsden for two months. Another man who attacked Martin's house a few hours after the previous offence was ordered to pay a fine of 31s.

I THE ASPS, LITERATURE, &e. Lord DERBY'S translation of "Homer's Iliad" ha reached a sixth edition. THE Athenceurro says that Bishop Percy's folio manu- script has been offered to the trustees of the British Museum at a reasonable price. Mns. LINCOLN, widow of the late President of the United States, will, it is stated, become an authoress, and is writing a book entitled "Five Years in the White House." SIR JOHN BOWRING has republished his gossiping notes and criticism on the folk-lore of Devonshire which he read at the recent meeting of the Devonshire Asso- cia ion of Science, Art, and Literature. TEMPERANCE men will very likely welcome a nicely- got-up volume, published by W. Tweedie, and edited by the Rev. Thomas Rooke, M.A., Clerical Experiences of Total Abstinence." Here twenty-eight clergymen give both their reasons and the results of their experience in abstaining from all alcoholics. The venerable Dean of Carlisle leads the way, and a number of the devoted clergy follow in his wake. The book is well and cheaply got up, and seems admirably adapted to subserve the interests of the temperance cause. It is pleasing to see so many excellent men devoting both their time and talents to the interests of social reform. THE Prince of Wales will send to the Leeds Fine Arts' Exhibition The Indian Tent," by Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A. "An Italian Serenade," by Rudolph Lehmann; "The Bivouac in Egypt," by Carl Werner; The Fight for the Diamond," by E. Corbould; and The Emperor of Russia and the Prince of Wales Sleighing," by N. de Swertschkow. MR. WOOLNER will probably contribute to the next Royal Academy Exhibition a large statuette in marble, which represents Elaine, "the lily maid" of the Lau- reate's idyll-a sculpture which has occupied the artist during two years last past, and has been wrought for Mr. Jenner, of Edinburgh. The design shows her as the lived in fantasy," in charge of the shield of Lancelot. She is half- sitting, half-leaning against a high seat, at the foot of which stands the great buckler of the knight. She wears a single garment, which is gathered low about the neck, leaves the higher bosom bare, and, with its narrow sleeves holding, like bracelets, to part only of the limbs, discloses the almost girlish shoulders, slender arms and plumper hands of Elaine the lovable." In some respects not unlike Juliet, while weaning Tenderly her fancy from its maiden snow," the northern virgin of the "Idylls" differs from the Italian damsel of Shakespeare's drama. Hers was an ideal love, exalted above the fervour of Capulet's daughter by the self-abnegating soul of chivalry. The distinction indicated by the poet between the pearly dawn and the rosy-fingered" Aurora of desire has been warily observed by the sculptor in giving to the features of his Elaine a look of wondering rather than of pas- sion, even in its earliest growth. The half-reluctance, half-advancing of her fancy, is rendered with great subtlety by the action of her limbs, so that one arm supports her weight on the edge of the seat, while the other is placed behind, as if to stay the shoulder, as it is borne forward by the eagerness of hopeful emotions also by the steadfast straightening of one lower limb to to bear up the frame, and, on the other hand, the timid bending of its fellow at the knee. The timorous balancing of the maiden's mind is thus rendered in form, her all-unconcious chastity by the drapery, which, al- though thin in its substance, covers her body to the feet, yet in long and voluminous folds, shrouds, but does not entirely hide, the virginal contours and budding bosom within. With great delicacy the artist has expressed the immaturity of Elaine's form by making the hands and feet rather larger in proportion to the limbs than appears natural when a later stage of life is attained. The extremities are almost wo- manly, the limbs and body girlish still. The con- templative fancifulness of such a love as hers is not less happily given by the sweet gravity of her eyes, which are soft in their regard, and fixed in forward- looking rather than in plainly seeing the object of her love. Like a maiden's, her hair is knotted behind, and closely bound to her head, except where a slender wave from the mass traverses the brow and softens the meet- ing of the face and tresses. The neck is long, the shoulders slope in its exquisite modelling the bared back shows the contours of youthful beauty in the fine leanness of the scapulas and the scarcely perceptible spine between them. Than the face it would be hard indeed to conceive anything sweeter, purer, or more innocently lovely, more tenderly delightful, grave, and even sorrowful in regard, and bearing the impress of that love which was her doom."

EXPLOSION OF GAS AT W AL TVORTH. SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED. On Wednesday morning, shortly before eight o'clock, an alarming explosion of gas, which shook the whole neighbourhood, occurred at the King's Head Tavern, corner of Manor-place, Walworth-road, whereby two men were seriously injured, and others who were passing the house were violently thrown to the ground, the bar front of the tavern becoming a complete wreck. The bar clock stopped at seven minutes to eight. It appears that the house opens at seven in the morning for the convenience of customers, and the gas is not gene- rally turned off at the main. Several persons were in the bar on Wednesday morning, when a complaint was made of the smell of gas, which the two barmen had previously detected, The potman, Thomas Barton, was then directed to make an examination of the pipes, which he did with a lighted candle, and after passing the light over several places, he opened the box where the principal pipe was that supplied the interior and extensive facia of the house. The flame of the candle was no sooner applied than a flash of fire ensued, followed by an explosion as though from a heavy piece of armament. Barton was thrown on his back, where he lay for some minutes in a state of unconsciousness, and a shoeblack, who was walking out of the house to his box, was struck on the head with a piece of the falling debris. The shoe-black, named Thomas Iley, 70 years of age, who had seen better days, together with Barton, were at once conveyed to St. Thomas's Hospital, and several other persons who had been thrown to the ground while passing the ex- terior of the house were recovered from their bewilder- ment, and proceeded on their various avocations. The plate glass windows, the large external lamps, and the upper part of the street front were blown away, as also every window in the house proper, back and front, being shattered. The men, Barton and Iley, were attended to at St. Thomas's Hospital by Mr. Dobson, the house surgeon, by whom it was found that Barton's eyes were injured, and he had sustained a shock, and great burns on the face. Iley had received a severe scalp wound. Neither of the men were considered to be in such a condition as to render their detention in the hospital necessary, as they could be attended as out patients. The property is insured.

THE FIRE KING AND HIS CONSORT. At the Thames Police court, on Tuesday, Lewis Christian Formansky, a Russian Pole, better known as Mel Reuab, the Fire King," who last exhibited at Southampton, was brought before Mr. Paget, charged with running away, deserting his wife and three children, and leaving them chargeable to the Stepney Union. Mr. Henry Simmons, relieving officer of the Stepney I Union, said he had relieved the Fire King's wife and her children, by a former husband, and they became chargeable to the union, and were so up to last Friday. I The Fire King: There was no occasion for her to become chargeable. I have remitted £ 6 5s. to her for the last five weeks, and am willing to maintain her al- though she has vilely aspersed me and injured my prospects. prospects. Mr. Paget asked the relieving officer what evidence he had that the prisoner had left his wife chargeable, and neglected to support her and her children, and had run away. Mr. Simmons was satisfied with what the Fire King had stated, and with his promise to pay the amount advanced by the union for her relief. He believed the Fire King had sent his wife £ 6 5s. in the course of the last five weeks. Mr. Paget: Then you wish to withdraw the warrant ? Mr. Simmons Yes, sir. Mr. Paget said the prisoner was discharged. The Fire-King said his last engagement was at South- ampton, and he had come up to London from that place to make an explanation. He never ran away. His en- gagements were all over the kingdom, and it might as well be said that a commercial traveller, whose pursuits took him from city to city and town to town, had deserted his wife. Mr. Paget said the question before him was, had the prisoner deserted his wife and children and left them chargeable ? That charge was very properly withdrawn, and the prisoner could not be in a better position. The fiery monarch then departed, followed by his wife, who is 51 years of age, a native of Germany. Her husband is a merry, good-natured looking fellow, of 25.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. THEIR Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Prince Christian have enjoyed three days' shooting in the coverts of Windsor Great-park during the past week. On each occasion they were attended by Major-General Seymour, the Deputy-Ranger, and bagged large quanti- ties of game. THE HUNTING SEASON. THE SURREY STAG HOUNDS. — This old-established pack commenced the hunting season with the first week of November. MR. GARTH'S HOTJNDS. — A large field met this favourite pack at Haynes-hill on Monday. They found a fox at Mr. Short's osier bed, and ran him to the ground after a very pretty hunting run of an hour and a half. Some parts of the run were very fast, and all enjoyed the sport. THE SURREY STACITOUNDS.-Tliis old-established pack of staghounds, with the hunting deer and appurtenances, which have been sustained under the surveillance of the master, Mr. A. Heathcote, of Epsom, during the winter, commenced the hunting season with November. There is a good list of subscribers to the pack, and some young blood has been added. The hounds are in first-rate fettle, and fit and ready. NORTH WARWICKSHIRE FOXHOUNDS.—The good old custom of an opening breakfast was continued this year in connection with these hounds by Lord Leigh. On the opening day at Stoneleigh Abbey, Lord Leigh gave a breakfast to the hunt, including his tenantry, in all about 400, and the outsiders were not neglected. These hounds have had a very good cubbing season, and have averaged rather more than one fox per day. Some of the cubs afforded good runs, and broke away from the large woods like old foxes, and it is hoped much sport is in store for the Leamingtonians. HER MAJESTY'S I-IUNT.-At half-past eleven o'clock on Monday, the 4th of November, the Royal pack of staghounds commenced the regular hunting season with the customary meet at Salt-hill, near Slough. On Tuesday the hounds met at a small field at Sunningdale Station. They turned out a young deer near Mr. Noble's nursery, and he went over the hill pointing for Chobham, but being headed, he turned short back by the station, and went on nearly to Shrubs hill. Then he took a short ring to the right, round Colonel Chal- loner's park, to the left into and through the Belviuere plantation, and over the road into Virginia Water. Swimming the lake near the fishing temple, and over Manor-hill, leaving Norfolk farm on the left, on by the lake into Windsor-park, near the keeper's house at Duke's-lane, and after running about the park for an hour and a quarter where the hounds behaved remark- ably well among hundreds of fallow deer, the animal was taken near Swan pond. Time altogether two hours. METROPOLITAN AMUSEMENTS.—ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE AND CIRCUS, HIGH HOLBORN.—The proprietors of the Holborn Amphitheatre and Circus have announced a number of novelties for the present season, all of them of a very attractive character. The change of programme introduces us not only to fresh faces, but to artistes altogether new to London audiences. A renowned family of equestrians made their first appearance a few days ago, and introduced, among many other very novel peiformances, a troupe of ponies, dogs, and monkeys, which for training and docility are unequalled. The Dassie family are artistes of no mean repute, and Herr Paul Dassie, though youthful, has acquired a continental fame which will no doubt soon find unequivocal confir- mation in London. The managers are adding other ad- di-tions to their present powerful company, which, taken in connection with other changes, cannot fail to secure a liberal patronage from playgoers during the winter months. EGYPTIAN-HALL, PICCADILLY.-No one has been more popular here during the time it has been open than the present entrepreneur of one of the galleries, Frederic Maccabe, who as a mimic and ventriloquist is second to none. The entertainment, which has attracted thou- sands, is termed Begone Dull Care, or Mirth, Music, and Mimicry." It is monodramatic, full of incident, racy humour, and sparkling dialogue. Mr. Maccabe combines the talents of the actor, mimic, ventriloquist, singer, musician, and composer a sextuple performer alike good in each quality. In addition to natural gifts which are of a high artistic character, Mr. Maccabe pos- sesses a pleasing intelligent person, and a countenance which changes like the hue of a chameleon, embodying every character he undertakes. When we add to the above that he possesses a sweet flexible voice, and is moreover at home with the pianoforte, guitar, and piccolo, we have said enough to justify our recommend- ing a visit to the Egyptian-hall, where Dull Care will be unquestionably banished. We ought not to omit to say that the enteltainment is perfectly free from coarse- ness and vulgarity, and that it will furnish an intellectual and amusing evening or afternoon's amusement to all classes, young and old.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. The Scotch confirmation or testamentary disposition of the late Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., was sealed in the Probate Court in London, on October 21, under X15,000 personalty; and that of Hugh Munro St. Vincent Rose, Esq., of Tarlogie, Ross-shire, under < £ 53,000. The Irish probate of the will of William Smith Gray, Esq., mer- chant, of William-street, Dublin, was sealed in the London Court under R,20,000 personalty. The will of Professor Michael Faraday, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.G.S., of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Albe- marle-street, was proved in the principal registry, October 23, by James Faraday, Esq., his nephew, power being reserved to Sarah Faraday, his relict, the executors. The personalty was sworn under £ 000. Professor Faraday died August 25, at his residence in Hampton-court, at the age of 76. His will is entirely in his own handwriting, and is closely written on three sides of paper, briefways, and dated April 15, 1861. He leaves his property chiefly to his wife the will is in words to the following effect I request that my burial may be conducted in a moderate, sober, and inex- pensive way. Considering that the source of my in- come will principally cease at my death, I think it but right that all my property, of whatever description, I may have the power of disposing of by will, should become my wife's, should she survive me, which I leave her, subject to some small pecuniary legacies, as a mark of affection to those who in life were dear to me." Amongst the legatees are his sister-in-law, Margaret Faraday and her children his sister, Margaret Barnard, and her children his brother-in-law, George Barnard, t and his children; his nieces, Jane Barnard and Mar- garet Reid Mr. Charles Anderson; and Miss Savage, the valued and faithful housekeeper at the Royal Insti- tution. The will of Miss Mary Ann Tatham, of Leeds, was proved at the district registry, at Wakefield, by Robert W. Eddison, of Headingley, engineer, and John Whiting, of King-street, Leeds, merchant. The per- sonalty was estimated at £ 16,000. The testatrix has left the following charitable bequests to public insti- tutions in Leeds, free of duty :—Namely, the British and Foreign Bible Society, £ 100; Ackworth School Rawden's School, and Leeds Town Mission, each, £ 50 Peace Society, Anti-Slavery Society, Aborigines Protec- tion Society, Royal Lancasterian School, Adel Day School, Leeds House of Recovery, Leeds General In- firmary and Dispensary, each 19 guineas. There are numerous small legacies to her cousins and friends, and some liberal legacies to be divided among the children of her uncle, Thomas Tatham the children of her late cousin, Enos Mennel; the children of her uncle, James Tatham and to her aunt, Hannah Baker. The ulti- mate residue she leaves to her cousin, Hannah Middleton wife of the Rev. Charles H. Middleton, B.A. The late Mrs. Rachael Myers, of Beverley, Yorkshire, whose personal property was sworn under Y,25,000, has bequeathed X2,000 to such schools and other charities in Beverley as her executors may think fit. The late Mrs. Mary Lloyd Shirreff, of Hillingdon-end, Uxbridge, has bequeathed to the Royal Caledonian Asylum Xi,ooo, and leaves the interest of X6,000 to six females (widows or unmarried), natives of Scotland, residing at Dunse, Berwickshire, North Britain, not under fifty years of age, to be called "Mrs. Bowmaker's Fund," out of respect to the memory of her revered grandmother, the widow of the former pastor of Dunse. The residue of her property to be invested in the British funds, and the interest annually applied in affording aid to such clergymen of the Established or National Church of Scotland who from having but small stipends may require such aid, or to widows or unmarried daughters of such clergymen who are in need of assistance, temporary or permanent. -Illustrated London News.

ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A LUNATIC.-A shocking assault was committed early on Sunday morn- ing by a man named Alexander Blisset, mason, aged 25 who resided with his two sisters in Annfield-roaf Dun- dee. He rose from bed about three o'clock, and, seizing an axe, commenced a violent and unprovoked' attack upon his sister Margaret. The poor woman's head was dreadfully smashed, and the injuries are expected to prove fatal. Blisset has been in a weak state of mind for some time past, and was only discharged from the lunatic asylum a fortnight ago. His insanity is attri- buted to religious enthusiasm, consequent on attendance at revival meetings. He gave himself into custody after committing the assault.

FACTS AND FACETIIF,. IF the man who turnips cries, Cry not when his father dies, 'Tis a proof that he had rather Have a turnip than his father. WHEN people are crazy to marry, they attach no consequence to consequences. IT is better to be born with a disposition to see things on the favourable side, than to succeed to an estate of ten thousand a year. ADVICE, like snow, the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind. THE difference between honour and honesty, says Shenstene, seems to be chiefly in the motive. The honest man does that from duty which the man of honour does for the sake of character. THE most laconic will on record is that of a man who died in 1767. It runs thus "I have nothing I owe a great deal-the rest I give to the poor." AT an agricultural dinner the following toast was given: The game of fortune! Shuffle the cards as you will, spades must win." How HE POISONED HIMSELF.—It having been mentioned that the Marquis de Crequi, who was famous for his spitefulness, had poisoned himself, Madame de Marchais observed, "It is probable that he bit his own tongue." DEEVIL, indeed? said a primitive country schoolmistress to one of her pupils, as she heard a little girl designate his Satanic Majesty devil." Deevil, indeed! set him up with such fine names—ca' him deel, lassie; it's good eneuch for him." A GENTLEMAN of Chesterfield had missed his umbrella for some time, but a day or two ago found it in a conspicuous place on his premises with the following inscription pinned upon it This umbrella as prade hon my konshens ever sin I stole him.—W. R." LET any one who wants to know how his ances- tors cooked lobsters in A.D. 1381 read. "For to cook Lobister. He schal be rostyd in his scalys in a ovyn, other by the Feer under a panne, and etyn wyth Veneger." A SIMPLE EPITAPH in St. Pancras Churchyard, is touchingly commemorative of the gluttony of a has. band and the grief of his widow- Eliza, sorrowing, rears this marble slab To her dear John, who died of eating crab." BELTURBET, IRELAND. "Here lies John Higley, whose father and mother were drowned on their passage from America. Had they both lived they would have been buried here." CURIOUS SIGNs.-Some years ago there were five public-houses in the Gallowtree-gate, Leicester, viz. —The "Bear," the "Angel," the "Three Cups," the Three Tuns," and the White Horse." In opposition to the others the host of the latter house had the follow- ing rather witty lines inscribed upon his sign My White Horse shall bite the Bear,' And make the Angel' fly He'll turn the Three Cups' upside down, And drink the Three Tuns dry." VITALS COOKED HERE," is the appalling announcement placarded in the window of a New York eating-house. Upon this a terrible wag remarks, That is probably where the good livers go." AN IRISHMAN'S I-IINT.-When the celebrated Lord Castlereagh was stopping once to change horses at some very poverty-stricken post-station in Ireland, his carriage was surrounded by beggars, who implored him in all the eager accents of native entreaty for charity. Taking no notice of their appeals, he sat cold and un- moved till the horses were ready to start, when a very miserable-looking fellow approached the carriage and said, in a voice of persuasive entreaty, One sixpence, my lord-only one little sixpence and it will treat all your friends in Ireland IT IS SAID that one of the Siamese Ambassadors, on going home from his European visit, made an elaborate report on all he had seen, including the music he had heard in the West. He was very little impressed by the music, save and except that which he said was "produced by a great trunk set upon legs." "A woman," he wrote, "sits in front of this, and tickling a sort ef tail it has with her toe, produces a variety of sounds by beating rapidly with her fingers on a number of little bits of ivory in front of it! Such is the Siamese description of our pianoforte A CHARMING ANECDOTE is related of the Em- peror Francis Joseph of Austria. During his late visit to the Exhibition he was surrounded by a dense crowd, among which he perceived a little girl struggling in the arms of her mother, and crying out, "Je veux voir l'Empereur He immediate made his way to the child. Kissing her on both cheeks, he took her in his arms and carried her to a stall of bon-bons, where he selected the handsomest bag of dragees he could find, and then brought her back to her mother. The enthu- siasm manifested by the crowd on witnessing the simple act of kindness of heart was very great. THERE IS A CLERK of the weather at last visible. He lies in the back part of the city, and appears to be a determined rival for the position held by Mathieu de la Drome-the Old Moore's Almanack-of France. The weather prophet in question has appointed himself a sort of Fitzroy signal for Paris. He publishes each day the kind of weather that will occur the next, and sends his productions to the academy and the journals. The latter having placed them among the contributions p thankfully declined, he posts up his lucubrations on the pillars of the Academy and office-doors of the news- papers. MACAULAY ON FORTUNE TELLING.—When- ever the subject of scriptural fortune-telling came up in Lord Macaulay's presence, he was pretty sure to relate an anecdote of his sojourn in India. He arrived one night, late and tired, at the house of the chaplain of a somewhat unfrequented district, and desired to get to bed as soon as possible. But his host was not going to throw away the rare opportunity of eliciting some valu- able information from a guest of such rare ability and scholarship. "Mr. Macaulay," said he, "I positively cannot let you retire until you state your opinion as to the number of the beast ?" "I was driven into a corner," said the statesman rather than theologian, and I answered on the spot, I have no doubt as to what was foreshadowed by the mystical number-the British House of Commons The members elected-û58 the three clerks at the table, the sergeant-at-arms and the deputy-sergeant, the librarian and the two doorkeepers, making 666, and I rushed to my couch." THE COW.— Oh, the cow, the beautiful cow Nibbling the hay from the fragrant mow Into the thistle and clover so fresh Poking your nose with a sweet relish, Munching, Munching, All in a mash Beautiful cow, you will one day be hash Oh, the cow, the playful cow Meeting the pail with a playful bow, Giving it generally all of your milk Winking and clinking your lashes of silk As it streams And splashes With frolicsome dash: A failure to give it soon settles your hash. AN AMERICAN SPEECH ON THE SMITH FAMILY. Gentlemen," said a candidate for Congress, my name is Smith, and I am proud to say I am not ashamed of it. It may be, that no person in this crowd owns that very uncommon name. If, however, there be one such, let him hold up his head, pull up his dickie, turn out his toes, take courage, and thank his stars that there are a few more left of the same sort. Smith, gentlemen, is an illustrious name, And stands ever high in the annals of fame, Let White, Brown, and Jones increase as they will, Believe me that Smith will outnumber them still. Gentlemen, I am proud of being an original Smith, and not a Smithe, nor a Sm.ythe, but a regular natural S-m-i-t-h, Smith. Putting a y' in the middle or an e at the end don't do, gentlemen. Who ever heard of a great man by the name of Smythe or Smithe ? Echo answers, who ? and everybody says nobody. But for Smith, plain S-m-i-t-h, Smith, why the pillars of fame are covered with that honoured and revered name. Who were the most racy, witty, and popular authors of this century ? Horace and Albert Smith. Who the most original, pithy, and humorous preacher? Rev. Sydney Smith. To go further back—who was the bravest and boldest soldier in Sumpter's army in the revolution ? A Smith. Who palavered with Powhattan, galivanted with Poca- hontas, and became the ancestor of the first families in Virginia ? A Smith again. And who, I ask-and I ask the question more seriously and soberly—who, I say, is that man, and what is his name, who has fought the most battles, made the most speeches, preached the most sermons, held the most offices, sung the most songs, written the most poems, courted the most women kissed the most girls, and married the most widows ? History says, I say, you say, and everybody gays, John Smith!"

AGRICULTURE. —-»— NOTES ON WEEDS. Weeds, like crops, are favoured some by one kind of season and some by another. The summer just passed has been remarkable for its great crop of docks so much so that in some situations the seeds of these weeds have been grown to such an extent that indeed the truth of the old adage will be made manifest, One year's seeding is seven years' weeding." Docks belong to the genus Rumex, which includes the docks, commonly so called, and the sorrels; and amongst them will be found the following list, on the habits of which, in connection with the farm, we shall offer a few remarks 1. Rumex Crispus, curled-leaved dock. 2. R. obtusi- folius, blunt-leaved dock. 3. R. sanguineus, red-veined dock. 4. R. hydrolapathum, water-dock. 5. R. acetesa, meadow sorrel. 6. R. acetosella, small sorrel. The first three of these species are common to the meadow and the arable land, in both of which they occur in such quantity as to constitute them most per- nicious and mischievous weeds. The fourth usually occurs in ditches and watercourses, and need be no further mentioned here, except that it is one of the largest of the genus, and often interferes with the free flow of the stream. The sorrel (No. 5) can only be considered as a weed in pastures, it having little or no feeding qualities, and being so acid as to be much rejected by cattle in the green state, while it impedes the progress of hay-making by its succulency. The sixth is a very common agrarian weed in sandy districts, and is an evidence of a light arenaceous soil. The first three, then, are those with which the farmer is most concerned. We believe that their original habitat is the damp meadow and it then becomes an interesting subject of inquiry as to how they may have found their way into arable cultivation. As a preli- minary step to this inquiry it will be well to direct attention to the enormous fecundity of these docks. The following table, then, gives the numbers of seeds estimated from single plants of the species named:— Seeds. ( 10,000 Prof. Buckman. Rumex crispus j 42,430 J j a Hudson_ „ obtusifolius 13,000 ) „ „ 11V.AA > Prof. Buckman. sanguineus 14,000 j Now, with regard to the first species, it may be re- marked that th.9 smaller number refers to quite an ordinary-sized plant; the others to larger but by no means uncommon specimens. Those of the other two species are for quite ordinary examples, as met with in our own meadows. It is just in the rich alluvial flats that the dock is most common to the meadow, and these are the localities from whence large quantities of hay are taken for town consumption. As the object of those who farm them is to get as great a bulk for the rick as possible, it thus happens that much dock seed, as well as that of other weeds, finds its way into the town, and thence to the dung-heap—to be carted away by the un- wary farmer who has, perhaps, exchanged such stuff for good clean straw. It was in this way that we ac- counted for a legacy of docks left us by our pre- decessor, and which, though we had hand-picked loads of them, yet came up so thickly in our first wheat crop that, in following the reapers for about an hour, and stripping off the seeds of docks, 14 pints of seeds were obtained. These were estimated at 412,100 seeds, which, sown on the field, might have yielded a crop of weeds as thick as the wheat plant itself. In cases of this sort it would be well that the reaper should be attended by some expert boys to secure the seed as soon as seen. In this way much future mischief may be prevented, at less than Is. an acre. A friend of ours in Wilts pays 3d. per thousand for picking up dock roots what then may not be saved by having the seed of an acre of docks-which, as we have estimated from the numbers just given as obtained from about the tenth of an acre, must amount to some 4,121,000-burned as soon as picked ? But, with all one's precautions, some seed was sown even in the process of picking, while those that had been earliest ripened had fallen before these, however, have succumbed to the hoe in the turnip crop. Still there is danger of some being sown again, unless the refuse from thrashing is utterly destroyed. The meadow dock need not be dwelt upon, but where it grows in quantity it is prejudicial to the herbage and this is often sown on pastures, in the same way as the former upon the arable, by being spread in dung and refuse. The small dock of arable land is often a troublesome weed. It is an index of poor light soils. Marling and manuring are its best antidotes. But with this, as with others of the genus, we should at all times take care that our seeds are free from them. Dirty seeds are a constant source of docks. These remarks, then, upon this mischievous weed genus, should teach the farmer some important lessons. First, never to sow dock seed, either in manures for the crop or in the crop seed itself. Second, if docks come up, never let them progress to seeding if it can be avoided. Third, if you unfortunately have dock seed, let such seed be carefully collected and destroyed. Lastly, do not say docks are natural to your fields, especially the arable ones, as though they came up spontaneously but remember they always come from seed, which, if you have not sown, you must have allowed to sow itself.-The Field.

HINTS UPON GARDENING. HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.—While repeating my sug- gestion, that advantage should be taken of fine autumnal weather to proceed with all fruit. tree planting, let me now add a short list of good varieties of fruit, which I give in order of fruiting, rather than any merit one variety has in excess of another. Pears, which are best grafted upon quince stocks, commence with the earlier Williams' Bon Chretien, September; Marie Louise, October, November; winter nelis, November to Feb- ruary; Josephine de Malines, November to February; beurre ranee, February to May. Apples, cooking and dessert, both in one: Blenheim orange, November to February; Dutch mignonne, December to April; Ribston pippin, November to March, London pippin, from February, through March and April; Reinette du Canada will keep till May. They are all procurable, trained in different forms, at from Is. to 2s. 6d. each. Apricots Moor Park, dwarf-trained tree, 3s. 6d. to 5s. Cherries Elton, July, August; Black Tartarian, ripe about the same time, or a little before, according to position, does well upon a north wall; Florence, August. All these may be had for some Is. 6d. or 2s. 6d. Nectarines Elruge, violet hative, and Pitmaston orange (yellow fleshed), August and September, 3s. 6d. to 5s. Peaches Violette hative, royal George, nobles, bellegarde, and late admirable price same as nectarines. Plums: Early favourite, July; drap d'or, August; Angelina Burdett, Sep- tember Coe's late red, October to November. The above are "table" varieties. The following are useful for cooking," and in some instances for both, viz., July, greengage Orleans, August; Coe's golden drop, Sep- tember; Mitchelson's, October, November price from Is. 6d. to 7s. 6d., according to form, &c. I have already given instructions as to preparations of borders. Give as much new soil (maiden loam from a pasture is best) as is practicable, mixing therewith about a fifth of its quantity of good sound manure. Of course, if little fresh soil only can be afforded, more of this latter will be needed to make up for it. This, and securing the necessary trees will suffice for this week; I hope to revert to the subject of actual planting next week. HARDY FLOWER GARBEN.—Proceed with the neces- sary cleaning and re-arranging of beds, &c., for winter and early spring display, upon every fine and favourable occasion. Remove any vases under shelter which are not in themselves ornaments sufficient to be attractive without the aid of plants. Be cautious not to mow- either with the scythe or machine—grass sward when the frost is upon it, or on days when such may be antici- pated at night as neglect in this wise may end in disfigurement through a greater part of the winter. Plant the necessary bulbs in all open borders at the earliest possible moment-the soil being suffi- ciently dry—finishing all such operations before the ground is likely to become saturated with moisture. Keep the besom constantly at work, not to allow decayed leaves too long a lodgment upon walks, and thus secure to the whole a neat and tidy appearance. KITCHEN GARDEN. Be prepared with sufficient material for covering any crop needing protection from frost, when such arrives in its severity. Fern, which ought now to be collected, is one of the best materials for the purpose.-Garden;r's Magazine.

BUTCHERS' COMBINATION.—"Rattening," in various forms, appears to be a peculiar institution in Sheffield. The latest instance is afforded by a contem- porary in that town, who states that a local butcher has been threatened with personal- injury because he has dared to sell his meat at a lower price than some of his competitors. His customers ought surely to" combine" in defence of the butcher who supplies them with cheap food.

OUR MISCELLANY. NELLY'S BIRTHDAY.— Our pretty Nell so sweetly bold, This very day was four years old; Yes! four long years, so quickly sped, Have travelled o'er that golden head. That form with beauty so bedight Steals o'er our hearts like Heaven's light, Makes selfish man unselfish grow, And gives a glimpse of Heaven below. How will it be in years to come, When our Nelly's life has reach'd its sum ? How will she be in Heaven's sight, When all her hair has turned white ? T. F. S. THE WIDOW WALSHE.— Brave boys and jolly boys, The boys of Ballyslaughter, With every lad their mother had A buxom, bouncing daughter Mat and Mick, and Dan and Dick, And Pawdheen Bawn, the youngest; Kate and Meg, and Poll and Peg, And Biddy, who's the strongest. CHORUS. Drink the Widow Walshe's health, The pride of Ballyslaughter I wish I'd girls for all her boys, And sons for all her daughters Her boys can sow, her boys can mow, Can reap the corn and stack it; Her girls can milk and soft as silk The butter make and pack it. She well may keep a hundred sheep And half a hundred cattle As the wheel goes round, she works the ground And fights an honest battle. Drink the Widow Walshe's health, &c. She's well content to pay the rent- Two guineas to the acre Her lease is long, her hold is strong, No party strike can shake her. The selfish tricks of politics- Such folly never caught her! Her only joys, her girls and boys, And the home of Ballyslaughter. Drink the Widew Walshe's health, &a —From an Article in "Temple Bar." SELF-DENIAL OF CATS. I have a large cat which I have very frequently seen in this particular most self-denying. I have noticed this cat attend regu- lary many nests, beginning his attentions soon after their commencement, and continuing it (and that most regu- lary) both during the time occupied in building, and also that of incubation; and having carefully noticed the cat during that time, I never once have known him to satisfy his murderous appetite, until the young were just about to quit the nest; and then, one by one, the unfortunate fledglings have been carefully abstracted and devoured with the most self-satisfied air. Not only in one case, but in numberless cases, I have watched this cat, and with exactly the same result; and have upon many occasions (upon discovering the placing of the first few twigs of a nest) been obliged to tie bram- bles round the trunk of the tree to prevent the atten- tions and active interference of I Peter.' "-Hardwicke's Science Gossip. PARASITKS IN BIRDCAGES.—Many a person has watched with anxiety and care a pet canary, gold- finch, or other tiny favourite evidently in a state of perturbation, plucking at himself continually, his feathers standing all wrong, always fidgeting about, and in every way looking very seedy. In vain is his food changed, and in vain is another saucer of clean water always kept in his cage, and all that kindness can suggest for the little prisoner done but still all is of no USP., he is no better-and why ? Because the cause of his wretchedness has not been found out, and until it is other attempts are but vain. If the owner of a pet in sucfi difficulties will take down the cage and cast his or her eyes up to the roof thereof, there will most likely be seen a mass of stuff looking as much like red rust as anything, and from thence comes the cause of the poor bird's uneasiness. The red rust is nothing more nor less than^myriads of parasites infesting the bird, and for which''water is no remedy. There is however, a remedy, and one easily procurable in a moment-fire. By procuring a lighted candle and holding it under every particle of the top of the cage till all chance of anything being left alive is gone, the remedy is complete. The pet will soon brighten up again after his house-warming," and will, in his cheer- ftll and delightful way, thank his master or mistress over and over again for this, though slight, to him important assistance.-Land and Water. FEMALES AT AUCTIONS.—There are few sadder spectacles than a sale of goods by auction in a house where you have been a frequent guest, if at least, as usual, there is some peremptory, necessity for the occur- rence. Sad to see the once-prized trinkets in irreverent hands, and gazed upon by eyes that only estimate their money-value harsh sound the tones of the auctioneer, ere he distributes with each fatal blow the objects so familiar to us among the greedy crowd his hammer strikes upon our shrinking ears like the knell of doom. Something of this unpleasant feeling always seems to me to hang about sales in private houses, even though neither death nor unlooked-for poverty may have invoked the presence of the auctioneer; but, fortunately, it is not everybodywhois troubled with such sentimental weakness. There is a large class of moderately ancient, large-bodied females, for instance, who frequent all auctions in their neighbourhood with the same regularity with which they go to church, or (as I fancy is more likely) to chapel. They investigate every article on the "view" days with microscopic intentness, and upon the eventful morning come early, as to a gratuitous entertainment, in order to secure good seats as every lot is sold, they carefully enter the price in their catalogues; and not until the last gone has sounded do they rise with important faces, and go home to tea. They have listened with all the interest and decorum which they evinced during a charity sermon upon Sundays, but in neither case do they give way to impulse. They have not bid, nor did they ever intend to bid, one shilling. Not all the elo- quence of Demosthenes, joined to tb e grace of an admirable Crichton, could avail with them but then it is always difficult to extract money from the gentler sex. When the poet tells us that the proper study for mankind is man, he seems to have had an eye to electioneering. The study of woman, infinitely difficult as it is, would never prove remunerative in the rostrum. Chambers's Journal. THE REAL RIDE TO YORK.—Mr. Richard Turpin rode many miles from the time he left the cradle till he reached the gibbet, but he never rode from Lon- don to York, nor, in fact, did any one ever accomplish that extraordinary ride. The myth is, however, founded on a real incident. In 1676, one Nicks, a robber haunt- ing the road between Chatham and London to rob sailors returning to town with their pay, and Kentish traders on their way to London, plundered a traveller at four o'clock in the morning on the slope of Gadshill, the spot immortalised by Shakespeare, and for ever associated with Falstaff's delightful poltroonery. Being on a blood mare, a splendid bay, Nicks determined to prove an alibi in case of danger. He rode off straight to Gravesend there, detained an hour for a boat, he prudently baited his horse; then crossing the water, he dashed across Essex, full tilt to Chelmsford, rested half an hour, and gave his horse some balls. Then he mounted and flashed on to Brambo- rough, Booking, and Wetherfield, fast across the downs to Cambridge quick by by-roads and across country, he slippped past Godma-acbester and Huntingdon to Fenny Stratford, where he baited the good mare and took a quiet half-hour's sleep. Then once more along the North-road till the cathedral grew up over the horizon larger—larger, and whiz he darted through York gate. In a moment he had led the jaded mare into an inn stable, snapped up some food, tossed off some generous, life-giving wine, and in a fresh dress-say green velvet and gold lace—strolled out, gay and calm, to the Bo <vling green, then full of company. The Lord Mayor of the city happening to be tbeie, Nicks sauntered up to him and asked him the hour. A quarter to eight." "Your most obedient." When Nicks was apprehended and tried for the Gadshill rob- bery the prosecutor swore to the man, the place, and the hour; but Nicks brought the Lord Mayor of York to prove an alibi; and the jury, disbelieving in Sir Boyle Roach's bird anywhere out of Ireland, acquitted the resolute and sagacious thief.-All the Year Round.

A YOUNG MOTHER.—A Mrs. Ella Merrick Thomas, of Amherst, Mass., is said to be the youngest mother in America, being onlv 13 years of age. SUICIDE.—On Thursday, as a train was entering the Chalk Farm Station, a gentlemanly-looking person deliberately threw himself before the engine. The engine and four carriages passed over his neck, arms, and legs. The train had to be backed before the body could be extricated from the wheels. When the train moved away a frightful sight presented itself. The body was so much mutilated as to defy identification. The de- ceased was dressed in a dark suit, blucher boots, and black hat bearing a maker's name of "Raisbeck, Poplar."