South Wales Echo

LONDON LETTER. [SPKGIALLY WIKED.J [IIY OUR. OltT.KRY COR RESPONDENT.! LONDON, Wednesday Night. A telegram from Paris has arrived this evening, which makes a very distinct asser- tion with respect to the intentions of Germany in the matter of the British Pro- tectorate of 'St. Lucia Bay. It is said that Prince Bisvnarck has informed the British Government that he must contest the claim of England in this matter. This appears in the Voltaire (a Paris newspaper), and the statement is made upon the authority of n correspondent at Berlin. It may be safely assumed that there is not the lightest foundation in truth for the report. lhe Paris newspapers, as has been shown during the Chinese war, have a habit, when news is slack, of inventing it and printing it with imposing circumstantiality. The state- ment in Bismarck's own organ is much bet- ter worthy of consideration, and this makes it clear that the Chancellor does not seek any quarrel on this ground, but is disposed to recognise the priority of the Knglish claim. I enjoyed the opportunity the other night of a long and frank conversation with a gentleman who is connected with the German Embassy, and is well known for the fulness and accuracy of his knowledge. He expressed himself amusod, and within due bonds of courtesy, contemptuous of the readiness with which the English public takes fright at the supposed machinations of Prince Bismarck. According to his opinion, the last thing in the world that Bismarck wants to do is to involve Germany in another war. He foresees the inevitable renewal of the conflict with France, and in anticipation of it is anxious naither to waste the resources of the country or to make enemies in other quarters o- Europe. As for colonial acquisitions he perfectly indif- ferent about them, and the ambitious policy cf grasping territory in all the corners of the earth is imagined for him by other people. He also laughs at the theory that Prince Bismarck so hated Mr Gladstone that his policy at the present time was mainly directed to driving him out of office. The Prince does not like Mr Gladstone because he cannot use him with the same ease that he was accustomed to trade upon Mr Disraeli. "But," said the German, quoting an English proverb, he is not a child nor a fool who would cut off his nose to spite his face." All the news that comes from Korti points to the near and fully successful issue of the campaign. The men are in good health, the road across the desert proves less difficult than was believed, and there is a plentiful supply of water at the Wells. Moreover, General Gordon is still active, and within a fo .ight has been taking a trip to Shendy. Within the present week the rest of the column told off to cross the desert will be on the march, the second convoy starting to-day. The Mahdi is re- ported to be at Metemneh with some ap- parent intention of giving battle to the British forces. We seem now to be within a fortnight's time of the actual rescue. 0 Mr Courtney's statement at Lisbeari last night, sheltering himself under Mr Glad- stone's name in defence of a charge levelled against his own conduct, is much commented upon. The late Secretary to the Treasury intimates that he and Mr Gladstone have taken a particular view of the Egyptian question which, if it had. 1 Jen carried out, would have had the happy results that invariably follow upon the adoption of Mr Courtney's advice, but that their joint views were overruled by a majority of the Government. This must be true since Mr Courtney says so. But there is a general prejudice against talking out of school, and Mr Courtney probably has not improved his position by this indiscretion. Mr Errington's visit to Rome has been followed by the customary conjectures and allegations. Mr Errington is an amiable young gentleman of no particular ability, who has many friends and acquaintances in Rome, which, at this time of the year, is an exceedingly pleasant residence, but he may not pay it a visit without stirring up tremendous trouble at home. It is now specifically affirmed that he is authorised to extend indefinite concessions to the Vatican in the matter of Catholic missions, more particularly, it is surmised, in India. The whole story of Mr Errington's sup- posed official connection with the Government and his appointment as an emissary between the Vatican and the Soudan originated in the active minds of the Parnellites, who do not like him because he refused to do duty to Mr Parnell. But the whole thing is an illusion. Mr Errington is no more an emis- sary from the Foreign Office than Mr Biggar is for the Irish Office. The threatened opposition to Mr Peel in offering himself for re-election is unusual, if not unprecedented. He has been a remark- able success as a Speaker, and his withdrawal from the new Parliament would b< a national calamity. The report seems to rt iuire veri- fication. Sir John Macdonald's recent visit to Eng- land was preceded by a statement to the effect that the object of his journey was not unconnected with the Canadian Pacific ltailway, In connection with that interest- ing enterprise it is proposed to establish a line of steamers between British Columbia, China, and Japan. It is stated that by this route China and Japan would be reached ten days earlier than by the Suez Canal and the new line. It is recommended to Eng- land on the plea that it would be a valuable alternative highway to thEt East. This, of course, is true 'if the East were composed chiefly of China and Japan. But for the very reason that it bring these countries within shorter distance of Liverpool, it would remove India by a fortnight or three weeks. Si? John Mac- donald took steps to have this report con- tradicted, and an explanation put about to the effect that he simply visited this country on account of the state of his health. I have reason to believe, however, that the original report was correct. Sir John was accompanied on his visit by the President of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and im- mediately after their arrival these gentlemen paid a visit to Lord Dufferin and the Marquis of Lome, with the object of secur- ing their interests on behalf of the project. Sir John Macdonald also saw Lord Derby, but received very little encourage- 3ment from him. Possibly the proposal was never urged in definitive or official form. But the Canadian Premier and his friend soon learned that their quest was hopeless, though had it succeeded it would have been a nice thing for the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, to which Sir Jchn Macdonald has be. come endeared through much tribulation.

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HARRY SEYMOUR; OR Incidents in the Life of a Cardiff Clerk. I CHAPTER III. "Do, dear Blanche? Why, you will just stay where you are for the present until we can think of something better for you to do." Something better ? What is there I can do? I could not take a governess's place like you. There is only one thing I can do, and that is—go out as a barmaid; and even in that case, my being styled Mrs instead of Miss, will be against me." Oh, Blanche Pardon me; but there is one place you have not mentioned, to which you ought to go." And that is-" Home, dear Blanche, home to your husband." He will not have me back again his notions of rigot a i honour are so high that he will scorn r, that we have parted." No, dear Blanche. I know your husband better than that. Mr Aylwin is a Christian, and as such, will be only too glad to receive you again. If he expressed his willingness, will you go homo again?" If he sends for me, or comes for me, I will go;. not otherwise." "But, Blanche, dear, is it not your fault that you left home? I have heard that-" Here Louie stopped and hesitated. Go on, Louie; let me know all you have heard." "Well, it is said that-that you got your hus- band into debt; that you ran up enormous bills for fine clothes and jewellery, all unknown to him. Is that true ?" "Yes, it is true enough but if my husband loves me half so well as he has often professed, he will forget all that, and ask me to come back again. I don't think he will, Blanche," said Louie quietly. Mr Aylwin's sense of right and justice, as you just now observed, is high and he will not ask your pardon for the wrong you have done to him." How dare you talk to me thus ? Have you brought me here to insult me ? Let me go back to old Mrs Davies." If you insist upon it you may go there, but what will then become of you ? You may think me very unkind to talk thus, but it. is far better that I should set before you the true light in which you ought to view your errors, than that I should encourage you in rebellion against your home and husband." Blanche seemed so much distressed that Louie changed the subject, and Harry just then entering the parlour, it was not again referred to. After they had retired that night, Harry and Louie had a long conversation respecting the best means to bring about a reconciliation between Blanche and her husband. At length it was resolved that Harry should see Mr Aylwin the next day, and ascertain his views. Aylwin proved to be just what Louie had said. He was willing to receive Blanche back again, but declined to write to her, or to see her until she had expressed her sorrow for the trouble she had caused him. That evening Harry quietly told Louie the result of his endeavours to procure peace in the stricken home, and Louie took the opportunity of Harry's absence at his Mutual Im- provement Class to tell Blanche. I will never go back on such terms," was Blanche's reply to Louie's message. But, Blanche, do you not see now that your husband has expressed his willingness to receive you home again, that you cannot remain here. Mr Seymour is too high-minded to harbour—" "Harbour? Is it come to this ? Then I will go this instant. No one shall talk of harbouring me." And notwithstanding Louie's entreaties, Blanche put on her bonnet and cloak, and walked out of the house, without bidding Louie "good bye," or thanking her in any way for her kind- ness. Then even Louie's patient and gentle spirit v- roused, and she said to herself, '"Let her go si will have to come down yet." Weeks passed away, and very little was heard of Blanche. Her husband had broken up his home, sold off his goods, and gone into lodgings again. At length it began to be whispered about that Blanche had become addicted to intemper- ance—that she had been locked up in the police- station, but that the kind-hearted inspector, knowing her father, had let her out in themsrn- ing. One ^ening, it being the depth of winter, Harry andT&r Aylwin were returning from a private party, at which Louie would have been present if she had been well. The cold was in- tense, the thermometer being several degrees below the freezing point. They had been to Splotland, and were returning by way of Sandon- street, when Harry suddenly laid hold of Mr Aylwin's arm and exclaimed, "Good heavens What is that?" Why, Will, it seems to be a drunken woman. Poor creature? If she stops there she will be starved to death. What is to be done ?" They tried to rouse her, but drink and cold had made her utterly oblivions to their efforts. Is she young or old, Harry ?" asked Will Han-v struck a match, and peered iuto the face of the sleeper. Good God Will, it is Blanche "Blanch My wife No, no, Harry it can- not be you are mistaken." "No, Will, I am not mistaken I wish I were," and lighting another match, he held it to the features of the outcast wife of his friend. Oh Harry, I would I were dead. That ever a wife of mine should come to this. What can we do? It is impossible to rouse her." For an instant the thought occurred to him Why not let her die, and end thus my dis- grace," but his better nature soon banished the temptation, and he eagerly listened to Harry's suggestions. Harry went for a cab, while Will took off his overcoat, to shield from the terrible cold, the one he had vowed to love and cherish. Harry seemed to have gone a long long time, and Will Aylwin's thoughts were anything but com- forting whilst he was alone with his wife. Supposing she dies Shall I not be to blame I ought to have remembered that she was the weaker of the two, and have sought her out, and forgiven her. Now, perhaps, it is too late." Harry came at last, in a cab, into which Blanche was lifted, and driven to Harry's home. The dis- tress ;of Louie,1 who was sitting up for Harry, may be imagined when her old friend Blanche was brought to her in such a condition. She was put to bed, and Louie wished to send for a doctor, but Harry said better not, let us keep it as quiet as we can. If she is worse to-morrow, then we will have a doctor." Will Aylwin saw his wife comfortably in bed, and then took his leave, promising Harry and his true-hearted wife, that he would forgive his erring wife, take her to his home and heart again, should she recover. Louie insisted on sitting up with Blanche, whose countenance gradually regained a more healthy appearance. Towards morning she awoke, and raising herself, looked round. "Louie Seymour, tell me how I come here." You must not ask questions, Blanche, take a drink of this." 11 No, not till you have told me who brought me here." You were brought here by Harry and —" «< And who ? Not my husband ?" L ««Yes, Blanche, your husband." r "What will they—what will he think?" 44 Whatever he may think, he is willing to for- five you, and once more to try to make you happy. But go to sleep, dear Blanche, Will will be here himself in the morning." Louie saw Blanche, as she supposed, asleep, and then retired to her own room. In the morn- ing, on peeping into Blanche's room, the wretched wife was gone. It was only too true, Blanche had again flown, and Harry Seymour's benevolent heart was much pained at the failure of his hopes of .reconciling Will Aylwin to his miserable wife. IlOuie sug- fested that Harry should seek her again, but lariy was not sure whether Aylwin would care for him to interfere. I will send at once to Aylwin and let him know she has gone, Louie; and then he must de- cide on what is to be done. I fear that Blanche is EO far gone in the way of sin that she is irre- claimable." "She cannot have sunk so low as to forget she is a wife ? No, no; Harry, Blanche may be a drunkard, but she surely is not a—" Louie stopped short; she could not utter the word her thoughts bad Conjured up; but Harry understood her. Ah, Louie, drink makes a woman oblivious of all feelings of honour, truth, and virtue; but let us hope she has not sullied her own and husband's honour." Harry set out for the office with mingled feel- ings of pity for his friend Aylwin, and thankful- ness at the very different lot he enjoyed. He sent the message to Aylwin, and was answered by his friend in person. The meeting was rather an embarrassing one. Harry told all he knew, and asked Will if he should take any further steps. You may not be desirous of appearing in the matter yourself; if you wish that she should be sought, let it be my task to find her." Aylwin shook his head gloomily. "No, Harry; she has made her own bed, let her lie on it." But, Will, never forget that she is your wife; a being you vowed to love and cherish until death one whom, come sorrow, come joy, you are bound to look upon as part of yourself. Be- sides, Louie tells me that she is-is in a way to become almother." Is th at true? Then I will seek her out, and try to win her back, for the sakef of my unborn child; if it is really mine-" and a shade of doubt crossed his features. It must be yours, Will; I will never believe that Blanche has dishonoured you. She has taken to drinking, of that we have had evidence but let us not think anything worse of her. 'Judge not that ye be not judged. It was arranged that Harry should try to dis- cover poor Blanche, and he promised Alwyn that everything should be done with that object at once. Who knows, Will; you may yet be happy." It does not seem probable now but I thank you Harry and your dear wife, for your help and comfort." As soon as Harry's duties would permit him, he went to the police station, and had an interview with Inspector To that astute and clever officer he explained as much of his friend Aylwin's affairs as were necessary, and then requested the inspector's assistance in finding Blanche. If the young woman is in Cardiff, or even in the county, we will soon:find her," said the inspector as he took down Blanche's description; "but what are we to do when she is discovered ?" She has committed no crime, and we cannot detain her." Let me know directly, and have an eye kept on her movements," said Harry. I will then get her home." Next day the Inspector sent for Harry and told him that Blanche was in custody at Newport, having whilst drunk attempted to drown herself. Harry obtained leave of absence from his kind employer, and set off at once. He found that Blanche had been sent to the workhouse, for she was very ill. He went to see her: and was surprised and shocked at her appear- ance. Blanche was ashamed to look Harry in the face, for she knew that his motive could be no idle one in visiting her in such a place. After a long conversation, which was jpnly stopped by the nurse, who feared ill consequences, Blanche con- sented to return home, if Will would forgive her. She had been dismissed with a caution by the bench, one of the magistrates knowing her. Ob, Mr Seymour," she said, as he was rising to leave her, "only God knows the miserable life I have :Ied since we parted. Drink has nearly been my ruin; it would have been, had I not deter- mined to end my life. But if my husband will only forgive me, we may be happy yet." Blanche," said Harry, gravely and solemnly, I am about to ask you a question which may cause you pain and shame, but I cannot meet Aylwin unless I can assure him on that point. Have you been-been faithful to him ?" A deep blush suffused the pallid face of Blanche. Yes, Mr Seymour; I would have died a thousand deaths ere I could have forgot my hus- band's goodness, or that I was a wife, and-" I understand thank God I can go back to Cardiff with a light heart. You will not try to go away again ?" No, Harry, Mr Seymour, I mean but I for- get. Will has broken up his home." There will be a home awaiting you, when you are able to be moved." Harry leit, and hurried back to Cardiff feeling well repaid for his trouble, in the hope that he should yet see Will and Blanche happy again. (To be continued.)

MR W. H. GLADSTONE ON THE POLITICAL PROSPECT. Mr W. H. GLADSTONE, M.P., presiding at the rent audit dinner, at Hawarden, on Wednesday, responded to the toast of Mr Gladstone's health, and said in the present state of public affairs, and viewing the necessity of sparing the Premier's strength to the utmost, they would readily understand that his absence was impera- tive. Whilst enjoying in so extraordi- nary a measure the confidence and esteem of the people of the country at large, he could assure them, Mr Gladstone still knew how to value the testimony of the goodwill and friendly feeling of his neighbours. Others knew him as a public man, and by his public action; those present had the advantage of seeing him fre- quently, and being conversant with the manner of his daily life, thereby feeling a personal in- terest in all that concerned him. He was glad to assure them that there seemed no ground for believing that his father's health was impaired, or even seriously interrupted. He hoped no special measures would be found necessary, though of course it was impossible to predict. After so Ion? a service to his Queen and country as fifty years they could not look forward to much prolongation of an active political life. All would admit his title to repose after so long a period of arduous and devoted labour, not but what it was certain that his father would be in harness of some kind so long as he lived, though it might be of a less arduous, but perhaps of a moreJonKevial character than th .t of the political arena. 0

OLDEST AND YOUNGEST MEN OF MARK. The oldest member of her Majesty's Privy Council is the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley, aged 90 the youngest, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, aged 34. The oldest duke is the Duke of Cleveland, aged 81; the youngest, H.R.H. the Duke of Albany, an infant. The oldest marquis is the Very Rev. the Marquis of Donegal, aged 85 the youngest, the Marquis Camden (a minor), aged 12. The oldest earl is the Earl of Buckinghamshire (who is the oldest peer in the realm), aged 91 the youngest is the Earl of Cottenham (a minor), aged 10. The oldest viscount is Lord Eversley, aged 90 the youngest, Viscount Suuthwell (a minor), and Irish peer, aged 12. The oldest baron is Lord Brougham and Vaux, aged 89 the youngest, Lord Ampthill (a minor), aged 15. The oldest member of the House of Commons is Alderman Sir Walter Robert Carden, M.P. for the borough of Barn- staple, aged 83; the youngest, Mr Matthew Joseph Kenny, M.P. for the borough of Ennis, in Ireland, aged 23. The oldest judge in England is Vice-Chancellor the Hon. Sir James Bacon, aged 86; the youngest, the Hon. Sir Archibald Levin Smith, of the Queen's Bench Division, aged 48. The oldest judge in Ireland is the Hon. John Fitzhenry Townsend, LL.D., of the Court of Admiralty, aged 73 the youngest, the Right Hon. Andrew Marshall Porter, Master of the Rolls, aged 48. The oldest of the Scotch Lords of Session is the Hon. Sir George Deas (Lord Deas), aged 81 the youngest, the Hon. Alexander Smith Kinnear (Lord Kinnear), aged 51. The oldest prelate of the Church of Eng* land is the Right Rev. Richard Durnford, D.D., Bishop of Chichester, aged 82 the youngest, the Right Rev. Ernest Roland Wilberforce, D.D., Bishop of Newcastle-on-Tyne, aged 45. The oldest prelate of the Irish Episcopal Church is the Most Rev. Marcus Gervase Beresford, Arch- bishop of Armagh, aged 83; the youngest, the Right Rev. Robert Samuel Gregg, Bishop of Cork, aged 50. The oldest prelate of the Scotch Episcopal Church is the Right Rev. Robert Eden, Bishop of Moray and Ros3 (Primus of Scotland), aged 80; the youngest, the Right Rev. James Robert A. Chmnery-Haldane, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, aged 44. The oldest baronet is Sir Moses Montefiore, aged 100; the •youngest, Sir Stewkley F. Draycott Shuckburgh (a minor), aged 4. The oldest knight is Sir George Rose Sartorius, G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet, aged 94 the youngest, Sir Walter Eugfene De Souza, of Calcutta, aged 38.- Who's Who in 1B85.

AN UNLICENSED LONDON THEATRE. Warrant against Mr Baum. Mr John Baum was summoned at Bow-street, on Wednesday, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison in default of distress and non-payment of the balance of fines imposed two years since, for opening the Alcazar Theatre, Holborn, without the Lord Chamberlain's licence. The original amount of fines imposed was L40 10s, of which only JS15 had been paid off. Mr Baum had failed to comply with the arrangement to pay off the balance by instalments. Defendant did not appear, alleging ill health. The magistrate issued a warrant fcr the apprehension of the defendant, to be imprisoned for six weeks.

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FACTS AND FANCIES. A COCK THAT NEVER Cnows.-A weathercock. MEN WHO ALWAYS ACT ON THE SQUARE.— Chessmen. THE LESSON OF THE HOUR.—Sixty seconds make a minute, sixty minutes make an hour. Why is an author looking for writing fluid like a coroner discharging the duties of his office ?-Be- cause he is holding an ink quest. Erskine puzzled the wits of his acquaintance by inscribing on a tea-chest the words, Tu doces." It was some time before they found out the wit of this literal translation—" Thou teachest." Were you never in a court of justice before ?" asked a judge of a witness who was conducting himself in a very unseemly manner. No, never," replied the man, but I've often been up before the magistrates." First friend (over a glass of beer): Weel, John, tae tell the truth, my faather wiz a cosmo- politan, but I am a misanthrope." Second ditto "You're no' like me, man. My faather wiz a collier, and am a collier tae, although it's no' the best o' professions the noo." A young lady called at a music shop and asked for something new in piano music. The clerk asked her if it made any difference how many sharps there were in the piece. "Oh, no," she replied, not in the least, for if there are more than two I always scratch them out with my penknife," In the days df State lotteries persons took con- siderable trouble to ensure success. An instanc is recorded of a lady who held a ticket in such a speculation having the following prayer offered up in church on the day before the drawing— The prayers of the congregation are desired for the success of a person engaged in a new under- taking." Look into me eyes, me darling, and tell me you are mine!" sang a smooth-faced stripling beneath the cottage wmdow one dewy eve in ,June. She looked into his eyes seven years later, about the time he was to wed another girl, and vowed to be his unless her damaged affec- tions were poulticed up with a thick swaddling of greenbacks. How constant is woman !— American Paper. A remarkable case of conscience was lately revealed in a proceeding before a French court. A man was up on a charge of stealing some candles, and the counsel was examining wit- nesses who had bought from him. One of them said that, though he had suspected the candles had been stolen, he had bought a franc's worth, but that in order not to encourage robbery, he had paid for them with a bad franc! The fair sex in Guernsey is not to be trifled with. At a fancy-dress ball given there recently by the subalterns of an infantry regiment, a lady, noted for originality and wit, was brought by chance to the side of one of the chief military -au- thorities of the place. Said she to Colonel Z., "May I ask, Colonel, what are you 7" "Oh," answered the Colonel, who was evidently not in one of his happiest moods, "I am nothing! What are you?" "I "am next to nothing," was the prompt rejoinder. There is a young man who, upon coming into possession of a considerable sum of money by the death of a relative, wrote to the secretary of one of the leading clubs, saying he "wanted to be- long," and wanted to know the price of admis- sion." The secretary responded in writing, Being a member and officer of,this club myself, I can fully appreciate your desire to join. The price of admission is good character, election by ballot, and some other trifling forms; but in this club all the reserved seats, and even those in the gallery, are occupied." When Lord Monck came into Parliament, he sat below the gangway on the Opposition side, where the principal body of the disconted Irish Brigade were always to be seen. His lordship, wishing to place himself at their head, adopted a patronising manner towards them, which he thought, being an Irish peer, would be duly ap- predated. Meeting one evening Mr Scully, the member for the county of Cork, he gave him a pat on the shoulder, and said, Well, Scull, how are you ? whereupon the commoner, annoyed at Lord Monck's familiarity, replied, I will thank you, my lord, not to deprive my name of the last letter or, if you do, pray add it to your own, and so calljyourself—Monck-y. At a meeting at the Crystal Palace lately, Mr Hayter, C.E., told an amusing anecdote. The examiners of the school had combined with their praise of the students' work a little judicial com- ment upon their spelling. It was pointed out, for example, that knoch" was hardly a, fair orthographic symbol for notch." On the other hand, the lad who spelt "hydraulic" thus, "hydrolick," was a little too fond of phonetic spelling. Mr Hayter, however, reminded the examiners that education in these minute details has only recently been expected of engineers. In his younger days many clever engineers were comparatively unlettered. He knew one par- ticularly able fellow, the admiration of his profes- sion, who puzzed all his comrades by the use after his name of the two letters S.I. At length some o ne was bold enough to ask what they meant. What was the answer ? Civil Engineer." In connection with the present distress and some of the worthless characters who trade upon it, a good story is told of a reverend gentleman of Bristol. It appears that an old woman called upon him and told him such an affecting story of a daughter and grandchildren reduced to the utmost want that he gave her half a crown. Soon after leaving his house he passed the recipient of his charity talking to another woman, and overheard their conversation without being observed by them. "Well, have you been to old C. ?" "Yes, and he gave me this "-showing the half-crown; upon which the other replied with glee, "Coma along then, and we'll have something to drink out of it." They accordingly proceeded to a neighbouring public-house, followed, still unobserved, by the charitable C. They had two glasses of hot gin and water at the b.ir, gave the half-crown, and the change was put on the counter. The old woman was about to take it up, when Mr C. put his hand over her shoulder and possessed himself of it before she could prevent him. "No,^ said he, as she turned round to see who it -az; t'ilit tn- terposed, the change belongs to old C. and be took it and went his way. ART IN DIFFICULTIES.—It is we^ known that Mr Prinsep, the artist, has undertaken to paint a picture of the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, in 'which the native princes will naturally play a prominent part. Few are aware, however, of the difficulties that have attended his task. The likenesses could barely be sketched in on the spot, so Mr Prinseo was compelled to seek out man-y rajahs at home, in the north and north- east, the centre, and south of India. In his recent work, Imperial India, he gives some amusing particnlars. The costume of the rajahs was Mr Prinsep's standing difficulty, being that part of themselves which they are often most anxious to see correctly reproduced. "Why, you've given only one eye I" said the Maharatii of Baroda of the young Guikwar's picture. "And why have you shown only two strings of pearls from the tassel of his pugrees" Hoikar s portrait was the first to be begun, though it will be the twenty-fourth when finished. This distinguished Indian ruler sat all the worse one day for wanting his breakfast, and the next for having bad it. He was magnificently bored from first to last; he yawned and lolled on his chair, while his attendants snapped their fingers to prevent devils from jumping down his throat." Four men brought in the trays of jewels from which the day's ornaments were to be chosen, a fifth superintended the selection, and the sixth held up a looking-glass which cost a shilling. Scindia was good-humoured, but impracticable, and declared sitting was worse than the hardest day's praying he had ever had. Rewah, or Baghel Khand, was original in man- ners and appearance. He tied up his whiskers with a handkerchief to make them bristle. His crown was an eccentric hat, worth forty thousand pounds. Though barbaric in dress, he has a fair skin and quite European hands. He is much given to "pooja" (praying), but more so to sport. He said, 'When tiger come, pooja must wait." This is a specimen of his conversa- tion. Talking of Jallawar, he said, He little child, and stupid." "Silly" said the agent. "No; stupid. He a ass." "Why?" He come to me and say, 'Maharajah well?' I say, 41 quite well.' Then he say again, 'Maharajah well?' I say, 'Quite well.' He say again, 'Maharajah quite wellI say, 4 No Maharajah ill. Oh, he a ass! Later on (to Mr Prinsep), I say, sar, when I sitting I put on durbar face." What is that?" "Like angry tiger." "Hungry tigei," said Mr Prinsep, misunderstanding him. No, sar, not hungry; that mean passion. Angry tiger, that good word." And be proQOWled to call up a comic expression.

I GIRLS' GOSSIP. I IFROM TO-DAY'S "TRUTH."] Dearest Amy,—Wo derived the usual after- noon's amusement from the private view at the Grosvenor on Wednesday. It is one of the. func- tions I would not miss for the world, The crowd of celebrities by no means diminishes year by year; yet I missed a few wonted faces on this occasion. However, there were plenty of interest- ing people left, and not a few amusing ones. Among the latter may be placed the empty- headed geese who went about sighing to each other: "The worst of it is that one knows all the pictures by heart." The exhibition, as you are pro- bably aware, consists of a loan collection of Gains- borough's pictures, and among them are some of his masterpieces, the engravings from which have made them in a manner familiar enough. But it is not every day that one can see the originals, and it made me feel quite cross to hear the above observation repeated again and again. I quite longed to tell the speakers that instead of dis- playing any special knowledge, as they doubtless intended, they were exhibiting a very special shallowness, and even ignorance. I am not going to tell you anything of the pictures, as the notices have filled columns of the daily papers, which you must have seen. But I should like to bring before your mind's eye some of the people. First, and tallest, comes Gladys, Lady Lonsdale, looking superbly beautiful in her dark dress, short sealskin dolman trimmed with sable-tails, and small brown hat. Then, Lady Archibald Campbell, the Rosalind of the open-air performance of As You Like It," given at Coombe Lodge last season. She wore a long coat of some velvety material in mouse-colour, which was edged with wide bands of fur, and had a deep and high collar of the same, which came up to her ears. On her head, with its short, curled hair, was quite the most extraordinary headgear I have ever seen. It was a kind of long bag, of dark silk, rather resembling a man's old-fashioned nightcap, such as one sees in old pictures, with a sort of jelly-bag point hanging down. This point drooped till it rested upon Lady Archibald's left shoulder. She, too, is more than common tall, so that this very original head-dress was well in view of all observers. Now, here is another little sketch for you. Imagine a small, plump woman clothed in a pehsse of olive-green plush, with a Watteau pleat at the back. Above a round and homely face. rather like a russet apple, and with eyes of bead- like brightness and as restless as a. sparrow's, place a bonnet, also of olive plush,.crinkled in and out in a wild and waving outline that a painter might easily take for the bold sky-line of a dis- tant range of hills. There was something bright- coloured on this bonnet, but I do not remember what; still, it harmonised with the restlessness of the wearer's eyes. Another petite personne was all sleeves. These remarkable provisions for keeping the arms warm were, to put it mildly, startlingly adequate to the intention. They were made by doubling the stuff up from the feet, to which the garment reached, and carrying it to the shoulders, thus making a sort of long bag, lined with red plush, the mantle-itself consisting of dark blue, rough cloth. Does this mean that we are again to have an era of sleeves ? A surprising person had a scarf of a peculiarly aggressive description. The colours were more absolutely depressing than anything I remember to have seen in the very height of the soi-disant aesthetic period of dress. A melancholy mauve formed the ground, and on this was strewn a wan- dering, stark, and staring design of dingy gold. To make matters worse, this mad scarf was worn over a dress of spinach-green, so you may imagine the lively effect of th whole. A very charming women had had the evil inspiration of trimming the top of her very tall hat with a group of majestic, downward- drooping plumes, pretty enough in themselves, but quite hearse-like in their exalted position. Some one else wore a bonnet that was ridicu- lously like a bread basket—you know the boat shaped ones ?-turned upsido down. A girl who looked as though she had been that moment raised from the dead, had pinned a voluminous handkerchief of a glaring red colour over her shoulders and chest, thereby increasing the livid- ness of her appearance. Two other unhealthy- looking girls wore gowns of sickliest sadness. It was pleasant to turn to the bright faces present, and they were certainly in the majority, though most of the quests appeared to be looking tor some one they had lost in the crowd. Some of the men still make themselves look dreadful geese. One of those, bold of design, being tall and broad, was guilty of the effeminacy of a redundant tie of softest sky-blue silk, run through an antique ring. I loved the ring, but disap proved of the wearer. I liked a mantle of grey plush worn by a hand- some brunette, though the shade of grey was rather cold. Another, of brocaded grey plush, warmer in tone, and more elaborately fashioned, was worn by a blonde. I admired a brown cloth one, made in an indescribable way, with little .sudden pleatings, and unexpected gussets and headings in tints of garnet, gold, and brown. When beads are very fine indeed, I like them, and also when they are cut into many facets. But there is a sort of coarse, middle-sized beadwork that always appears to me to be odiously vulgar. I saw on Saturday a lovely dress that has just been completed for a hunt ball in Herefordshire. The colours ara delicious, but the difficulty is to describe them with ordinary black ink, and a poor, dear, spavined little J" nib, such as the one with which I am struggling through this letter. Will no one ever invent a good, indus- trious, patient, and faithful little pen ? But the gown's the thing." Well, dear, the bodice and train are of very soft, brocaded silk, the colour being a lovely shade, partly terra-cotta and partly a warm, rosy, salmon tint. The front of the skirt is of dead-leaf satin, in rather a smiling phase of feuilie-viorte, with plenty of yellow in it, just like the fading leaf of an apple tree in early October. This front is covered with a long tabher of pearl embroidery on white net, with little musical bars (as it were) of embroidered satin let in at intervals, repeating the colours of the satin and of the brocade. This lovely tablier ends in a deep and rich fringe of pearls, which falls over and among the folds of a pleated flounce, that edges the skirt. The train is lined with the dead-leaf gatin, and is folded over at the sides in zigzags (what a horrid word to write !) so as to show the lining. A bit of embroidered net over satin is let in down the front of the bodice, all the edges of which are outlined with pearls. The basque falls over a short, double frill of the satin, winch is about one of the best devices for setting off a pretty waist that I have ever seen. The fan, gloves, and shoes all match the terra-cotta bro- cade, and on the fan, as well as ,tudded over the dress, are groups of feathers, shaded from dead leaf, through citron and paie gold, to a warm amber, and eve" orange. Now, what do you think of it ? lieve the happy woman who it to wear it has the loveliest diamonds, too. Some people have every- thing, have they not ? We saw a pretty wedding on Saturday, at ot. George's, Hanover-square. The bride looked charming in her wedding gown, and her four bridesmaids, two of whom were tmy children, wore dresses of pale blue surah, trimmed with grey feathers and ca.ps to match. The wedding- party looked so happy and fresh and bright as to make one realise that the world is not all the hor- rid place ore might imagine it to be from study- ing the daiiy papers; and that there are what our cultivated friend, Mr Inaspirate, calls waysides (oases) in the wilderness." I suppose he pictures to himse'.f, when he says this, a nice little sophis- ticated, banked-up footpath, safe to tread and well- flattened, with a green, protective beilge on either wide. ladmiredthe seasonable, sensible,and pretty frocks described as having been worn by tha bridesmaids of Lady Margaret Comptou who was married to Mr Henry Graham last week. They were polonaises of fawn :oured cloth draped over brown velvet skirts trimmed with beaver. Their hats and muffs were of brown velvet trimmed with beaver to matctI the skirt3. And what a charming harmony in gold and white must have been achieved by the bridesmaids of Lord Auckland's daughter, the Hon. Dulcibella Eden, who was married last week. They wore Gainsborough dresses of soft white silk, with pointed bodices and fichus of the same, large caps, yellow shoes and stockings, and bouquets of yellow chrysanthemums. The two little pages, the bride's half brothers, wore Gainsborough costumes of cream coloured serge, three-cornered white hats, and cloaks lined with yellow silk. Even better was the bride's going-away dress, of white flannel, with cuffs, collar, and waistcoat of yellow embroidery, hat of golden brown velvet, trimmed with quails, and long black velvet coat trimmed with wide band of sable. I saw a girl the other day with ivory earrings and necklet. Poor, misguided creature thing more hopelessly unbecoming can scarcely conceived. I have always thought ivory unsuitable to the decoration of any the elephant and other tusky animals, violence of the contrast between that necklet and the black satin boat on whichnt reposed would have been sufficient me of the fact if I had never given it a thought before. I A walking costume, belonging to a trousseau I have just seen, is well suited to the present cold weather. It is of very dark blue velvet, the skirt being round and pleated. A long redingote, edged everywhere with a very deep sable border, falls over this skirt; the cuffs, cap, and muff are of the same fur, and of precisely the same hue. Tlo trimming ought to be pretty, for it cost tiirtaeo hundred pounds! I An evening dress (part of the same trousseau.) consists of a faille skirt the colour of a pink rose, Flounces of exquisite Valenciennes border tbØ silk flounces, which are cut into the shape of rose, leaves. There is a crevette tunic and bodice, embroidered with pink» flowers, a Valencienn^ waistcoat, and on the side a most complicated a no graceful cascade of pink-coloured satin-ribbon.- Your loving cousin, JMADGK.

CHURCH EXTENSION AT CAR' DIFF. Opening of st. Catherine's "j Canton. i Sermon by Dean Vaughan. x On Wednesday morning, a new church rt King s-road, Canton, of which a full description has already been given in these columns, tyag solemnly dedicated to divine worship, under thl patronage of St. Catherine. There was a large congregation which filled the part of the sacredi edifice completed, and the service was thoroughly congregational. The clergy robed at the ad* joining mission-room, and amongst those present were the Lord Bishop of Llandaff (Dr. Lewis), the Very Rev. the Dean (Dr. V ahan), the Venerable the Archdeacon Griffiths, Canon Woods tchanceillor of the Diocese), the RevS. C. J. Thompson, M.A. (vicar of St. John's, and chaplain to the bishop), G. Arthur Jones, M.A. (vicar of St. Mary' s)» F. J. Beck, B.D. (vicar of Roath), R. J. Ives, M.A. (vicar of St. German's), Vincent Saulezi M.A. (rector of Canton), A. G. Russell, M.A. (vicar of St. Stephen's), J. R. Buckley (vicar of Llandaff), Minor Canon Downing, Godfrey; Wolfe, H. A. Coe, F. E. Nugee, J. G. Monro, R, Phillips, T. Rees, R. Gibbings, M. Evanson, and Henry Morgan. The latter clergyman will have i charge of the new spiritual district. An unusual feature in the body of ecclesiastics was the presence of the Very Rev. S. G. Hatherly, arch* i priest of the patriarchal throne of Constantinople. 1 This distinguished Greek priest is at present j visiting Cardiff for the purpose of ministering t<> the spiritual necessities of his c:>-religionists, an^ on Tuesday, which is kept by the orthodo* church of the east as Christmas Daý, he celebrated mass on board H.M.S. Thisbe, and dispensed the Holy Communion to a number of Greek sailors. His attendance upon such an occasion, vested as he was in his clerical vestments, may be taken as evidencing his fraternal feelings towards the Anglican Church. The clergy and choir, headed by a banner, marched into the church singing Brightly gleams our banner," and after another hymn,the Archdeacon of Llandaff read the bishop's licence opening the building. The" Miserere" was then sung kneeling, and after the blessing of the altar, and special prayers and lessons from Scrip- ture, the choir rendered in excellent style the anthem," 0, how amiable are thy dwellings." Dean VAUGHAN was the preacher, and he took for his text St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians II. 19-22. No more strangers and foreigners, but of the household of God, and a habitation of God through the Spirit." Having applied these words to the hearts of his hearers with his accustomed fervour, the dean went on to say 18,000 people are swarming round this church which will seat but a thirtieth part of them. What a provision is this for a church to offer which calls itself the church of the nation, and angrily resents the very sound of the word Disestablishment!" This was the thought which moved the breast of Bishop Ollivant when he laid upon us the burden of rearing up this new church; it was a project very dear to the heart of that good old man, and thus far the work had gone on towards the fulfilment of his wish. Some persons might possibly make the fact of this building being an unfinished, shapeless, and unsightly fragment, a plea for withholding those gifts which are wanting to make it beauti- ful. Beautiful it was in its design, as it passed from the skilled and practised hand of its arehi- tect, and beautiful it would be when a genera- tion arose which would think of the glory of God, and of the glory of that temple, which, in the sight of God, was the habitation of the Spirit. Must I speak of a future generation, and not of that one upon which lie all the oppor- tunities and all the responsibilities of the day of grace that has come ? Where is that spiritual enthusiasm which built up from its waste the cathedral of Llandaff ? Or has it all been dissipated in that ona effort ? We will not believe it it is not true. Many influences are at work now in the town and church of Cardiff, and Canton shall not always be forgotten in its poverty, whether material or spiritual. Two things we will say for this half-church which we open to-day. One of these speaks well for the honesty, the other for the practical good sense of its builders. They would not incur » dbt-jn other words, they would not do evil that good might come. Whatever might happen, they would pay their way, and when the money was gone say so honestly, and throw themselves upon the sympathy of those who had hearts. Then as to their good sense. They might have j gratified their love of art by building first tho most beautiful part of the church—the chancel- but they preferred to suspend any adornment until the necessary means were forthcoming. It | is depressing that the church is at present without chancel and its proper length of nave. The circumstances of the moment are solemn. The recent shock of a local bereavement has stung us; we are mourning with a neighbouring family. To-day's newspaper, too, told us that the metropolis had lost its spiritual head. The death of the Bishop of London, which re- moved the eldest by consecration from the episco- pal bench, and one of its wisest and most excel- lent members, must be felt through the length and breadth of the Church. All thlese things weigh upon our spirits, as we throw open the doors of St. Catherine's Church for the perpetual use of the surrounding people. May it be one of the many gathering places of God's saints, and con- I, tribute towards the fabric of that spiritual temple, which shall be the habitation of God Himself through all eternity. A collection, which amounted to 235 14s 3d, was made, and the Te Deum" having been sung before the altar, the service concluded by the singing in procession of Onward, Christian soldiers." Mr R. Gould Thcrno presided at the harmonium,and Dr Evans and Mr C. H. Priestley (churchwardens of Canton), and Messrs C. Birr Waite, and A. Arnott, rendered help in tne p ceedmgs. Mr J. E. Dunn acted as master of ceremonies. Mr W. Treseder, nuseryman, has generously presented the committee of the church (through the rector) a large number of young trees ? suitable for planting the churchyard. The thanks" of the rector and committee are tendered for this valuable gift. i

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