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CARMARTHEN TOWN COUNCIL. I
CARMARTHEN TOWN COUNCIL. I A quarterly meeting of the Carmarthen Town Council was held on Wednesday in the Council Cham- ber, when there were present—The Mayor (Mr D Edwards), Aldermen J Thomas, W. de G. Warren. T. C. Morrin, and H Norton; Councillors, T. Mostyn Davies, W. Jones, D Lewitt (brewer), Dr. Hopkins, R. Lester, W. Cottrell, Henry Norton, jun ,Capt. Morris, T. Thomas. W. R. Edwards. David Davies, R. W. Richards, and Thomas Davies. The Town Clerk. the Medical Officer of Health, the Surveyor and Capt. Ed wardes, superintendent of police, were also present. The Mayor said that he thought it right to mention that as this was a quarterly meeting any of the Councillors present could bring up any subject they thought fit, could lay before the Council any subject which was for the interest and the welfare of the town. He mentioned this because he saw some new niembers of the Council present, and he had to tell those that there was no programme before the meeting. One Zaatter the Council had to discuss, and that was the borough rate. This would have to be passed that day, and it was open for any councillor to make remarks thereupon. There were several other subjects, which he should like to see ventilated. He might mention With regard to the improvement of the road to the railway station. difficulties greater than had been anticipated had been met with There seemed to be a new Act of Parliament which prohibited the Council purchasing land that was not in the parish of St. Peter's or in the district that they had control over This difficulty then, had been met with in this matter, but he was sure that all the Council would agree with him that it was their duty to make good the 9200 to the Town Clerk-the £ 200 which he had laid out in the purchase of part of the property. It seemed to him (the mayor) that Carmarthen was getting insignificant, compaiatively Speaking, to other towns in this district, and he hoped that some steps would be taken that day in the matter which he was about to bring before the Council. No doubt most of them had seen by the newspaper reports that in the town of Cardigan, bonded stores had been established, from whence, of course, goods could be taken at the convenience of the purchaser Now, many things upon which duty was charged were told in such large quantities that it was necessary for a purchaser to lay out much more than he would actually have to lay out were bonded stores in Carmar- then. He must say he was rather surprised when he heard of the bonded stores at Cardigan, but on enquiry he found that there would be no difficulty in securing the same for Carmarthen, whf-re they were much Wanted. He did not see any difflitulty in the matter, any difficulty that was, which could not be surmounted. If Custom House bonded stores could not be got here, there was still no difficulty in obtaining-Excise ones. He was told that Mr Alderman Warren made an attempt some time back to secure the last, but difficulties were placed in the way by the Excise officials. He did not think it was necessary, however, that we should be guided by the Excise officials in this town. for in his opinion the Council should look to what was called head-quarters for a matter of this kind. He might also mention that the contract existing between the Council and the Gas Company would terminate at the end of this month. If any individual councillor had cause to complain of the scheme adopted by the Council, he had better mention such grievance. The estimates for the ensuing year were then read, and from them it appeared that the estimated ex- penditure was EI,969 i is 2d, Mr Alderman Thomas said that the estimate which was laid before the Council was up to November, 1876, but the Council as they were aware had decided that in future the financial year should end on the 3 lilt August They might therefore strike off one-sixth of the amount to be provided for, as the months of September, October, 1876, would not have to be covered. It was stated that the amount then left to be provided was C638 17s lid, this was taking off one-sixth of the amount previously stated as to be provided for, viz the amount of C766 13s 5d. Mr Alderman Thomas said that a 6d per £ rate might produce the amount, but he should recommend a 7d per £ one. The Town Clerk-I think, really, it wi uld be wiser to make an 8d per £ rate. I don't see any objection to having a little balance over. I don't see that any mischief u,iseg from this, for we can of course carry forward our balance, Mr Alderman Thomati-Yes, but you forget the well known argument, that if there is a surplus, it ought to remain in the hands of the rate payers. The T wn Clerk Well, after all, next year there will be greater demands Mr Mostyn Davies thought that a 7d per £ rate was sufficient. Enough for the day was the evil thereof (hear, hear). Mr Alderman Thomas said he would be inclined to eappor' this view. The Mavor recommended the Council to pass as low a rate as they could, consistent of course with the ex- penditure which was to be met up to the 31st August next Mr D Davies held that it was the duty of the Council to make the rate as low as they could. He begged, therefore, to propose that a 7d per £ rate should be levied. Mr Alderman Thomas seconded the proposition. The Mayor put it to the meeting when it was car- ried The Mayor then read the following report from Mr R. George the engineer for the extension and improve- ment of the sewerage works of this town. I have to report that the several contracts for these works are now completed, and that in the course of a few days, when I have made the necessary calculations as to quantities, &c., I shall be able to return a summary of completed work for Nos. 2 and 4 contracts, as I have pre- viously done for Nos. 1 and 3. I have recently made a careful inspection of the whole of the works with exceed- ingly satisfactory results, and I believe you have obtained at a moderate cost a system of sewers of a thoroughly substantial and permanent character. No serious accident has at any time occurred in the works; neither has any damage of moment being occasioned to any private pro- perty. A few cases of compensation to owners of garden ground have been settled by private arrangement. I have, however, to bring to your notice that the construction of a portion of No. 4 contract, from the Parade, through Dany- bank to the Railway-station, has been executed by the Contractors, Messrs T. & E. Lewis, under circumstances of oèonsiderable difficulty, and I have found it necessary to order special precautionary measures to be adopted to en- sure the stability of the work, which will entail an increased expenditure over this portion of the contract. The subsoil here was found to be highly charged with water, and of a very treacherous nature, constantly slipping in, upon the men unless the trenches were closely shored. In addition to this drawback the Parade-road had to be crossed at a depth of 20 feet, on a steep hill-side. For various reasons I desired the Contractors to tunnel this length, and arranged for an extra price to be paid them. It was in this spot that the worst ground was met with. The construction of this tunnel of 20 yards in length, took three weeks of constant work, including many night shifts. I ordered an extra ring of brickwork to be added to the sewer throughout this length, and concrete was used largely both in the tunnel and for the whole extent of the Danybank gardens. It was found impossible to remove the timber supports and planking used in the tunnel, without great risk to the newly-constructed sewer and to the men engaged it had, therefore, to be left in, and was buried in the filling. I had previously, when the upper part of this sewer leading to the Parade was built, ordered the timber used there in the trenches to remain in, on account of the closeness of the Parade wall, which would assuredly have sunk, and very probably collapsed altogether had this shoring been removed; and I propose to allow the Contractors cost price for the whole of the timber thus left in the ground. The work being so far completed, there will be no occasion after next week to retain the services of your Clerk of the Works, Mr Alexander Murray, who, I may add, has throughout the whole of his engagement given me the greatest satis- faction. The Mayor suggested that a committee should be appointed to enquire into the extra expense which had been incurred in this matter. Of course the Mayor was aware that the Engineer was at liberty to order any extra work which he thought was necessary, but he ought to have informed the committee, and explained the extra amount. He thought it was desirable thac a committee should be formed to investigate the extra work done, and to see that the Council really got work for the money. Mr Alderman Thomas thought it was rather a pity that they did not get some idea of the extra amount. If it involved a large sum he thought they had better enquire into it. There might be very exceptional cir- cumstances connected with this, and he should not like to express any positive opinion until he knew more about it. Mr Alderman Norton believed that the engineer was in duty bound to come to this Council to ask for permission to assist the contractor in the execution of his contract. He (Mr Norton) went upon the principle of the matter. If this Corporation made a contract, and was then called upon to pay afterwards an extra amount, they would like to know what for. He was of opinion that a public body like this should see that everything was carried out in accordance with the speci- fication. Mr Alderman Warren said that Mr George, the engineer, would have to justify himself for having done as he appeared to have done. The timber, it appeared, was left in the ground by his own orders. Mr Alderman Thomas said that the reason given for not Withdrawing the timber was that our sewerage works Would be injured. The contract, however, provided that they would remain in good condition for a certain time. He did not blame the contractor, but he was of Opinion that the Council was very much in the dark with regard to this matter. He thought that this report should be referred to the Public Works Com- mittee, and then it would come up in proper form before the Council. Mr W. R. Edwards remarked upon the fact that the lerk had been kept on all this time. It was stated that this and other similar matters could )e discussed in committee, and the report was accord- ngly referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr Alderman Norton drew the attention of the Council to the fact that although they got a new and proper road to the station, thus surmounting the difficulty which he referred to, such would not obviate the inconvenience caused by deficient accommodation- siding accommodation, he meant at the railway station. On behalf of himself and fellow traders he made this complaint against the Carmarthen and Cardigan Rail- way Company. It might be said that this Chamber was not a Chamber of Commerce, but this was a subject which concerned every one in Carmarthen, not only merchants and traders. He mentioned an instance which he said was of frequent occurrence. On Mon- day last four trucks arrived for him and the arrival of the same was duly notified In order that he might not have to pay demurage he sent off to the station for the goods about half past nine in the morn- ing, but his men, after h-tving to wait a certain length of time, came back without them He considered that when men h"d to wait for an hour and half or from that to two or three hours for goods, they had got good ground of complaint. It was perfectly correct that the Town Council of Carmarthen was not a Chamber of i omrnerce, Dut ne was ot opinion that the uouncu should do all which possibly lay in its power to further the interests and welfare of the ratepayers and of every individual in 'he town. As to the question of the new road it must be, he supposed referred to a committee; but he was beginning to think that this was only a piece of folly, when one could not remove one's goods. Mr Alderman Thomas— Your complaint is that the Railway Company does not offer proper facilities to con- signees for the discharge of trucks. Mr Lester quite agreed with Mr Norton that the sidings were far too small. He had much pleasure in second ng the proposal that a committee should be forme I. Mr T. Thomna <lso agreed with Mr Alderman Norton. He was It sufferer himself, so that he could bear testimony to the inconvenience of the present arrange- ments ff.- pointed uu' the injury which was done to the town The Mayor said that he thought it was part of the duty of the Council to see that the public was protected. He had great pleasure in submitting for the approval of the meeting, the names of the following gentlemen, who would make the complaint to the managers of the different railways. Mr Ald* rman Thomas (interrupting) -1 think we might just as well see Mr Young in this matter. Mr Alderman Norton-You might as well see the Lord Chancellor (laughter). Mr Alderman Thomas however insisted that the Council should bring the matter home to Mr Young, for what was the use of going some distance away to com- plain, when the probability would be that the answer they would get would be inspired by Mr Young. He was of opinion th"t the Committee ought to tell Mr Young their grievance. Mr Alderman Norton-Mr Young, I must say, is a very good promiser, but a very bad performer. I have tried him very often. Mr Alderman Warren at once recognized the import- ance of this matter, but he reminded the Council that the Station was altogether in the hands of the Carmar- then and Cardigan Railway Company, and that the Manchester and Milford, Central Wales, and other Rail- way Companies, had no control of the Station whatever, that was to say they had not power to touch a single metal or rail. He reminded the Council also that some time ago a proposal for a joint station fell to the ground. He did not see that it was any good going to any one but Mr Young, and he did not see that he could do much. Dr. Hopkins thought that the Council ought to lay the matter before the railway companies which had been referred to. They might combine in some sort together-all those interested-and he thought this would be the best plan. Mr Alderman Warren made some remarks to the effect that it was just possible, that having seen Mr Young, he might agree to this. The deputation appointed for the purpose, stated above, consisted of the following: The Mayor, D. Lewis, King-street, D. Davies, T. Mostyn Davies, R. Lester. Lewis (Brewery), Thomas Thomas and Alder- men Norton and Thomas. Mr Alderman Thomas rose to say that he approved of the scheme for procuring bonded stores in Carmar- then. He mentioned the bonded stores at Llanelly as an example of the advantage which they were. Con- siderable amount of less capital and less expenditure were by this means required, and he did not for a moment doubt but that these stores would be the means of being a large gain to Carmarthen. He would merely, therefore, move at present that the necessary steps should be taken. Mr Mostyn Davies was glad to see that a spirit was stirring to increase the trade of the town. Mr W. R. Edwards remarked that knowing Cardigan as he did. he might say that Davies Brothers in that town had been the means, or at all events, had taken an active part in getting the bonded stores. Mr Alderman Warren mentioned that tea and tobacco could only be bonded in the first-class ports. The Mayor wa* pleased to see that there was a desire to keep up the good name of this little town for he thought we were allowing ourselves to sink into utter insignificance almost (laughter and cries of No, no.") Dr Hopkins—Oh no, we are not doing that yet. The Town Clerk-We are not in utter darkness yet. The Mayor said that at present they were not asking for Custom-house bonded stores, but for Excise bonded stores, so that the people of Carmarthen might be put on the same footing as the people of Cardigan and its neighbourhood. There would be, of course, an obsti- nacy of the Excise officials of this district, but for that the Council must make up their minds. Mr Alderman Thomas said that the officials changed every three years. The Mayor said that besides having bonded stores so that every one having spirits imported could have them bonded here, we might also have a railway bond, where all English manufactured articles, such as gin and whiskies, might be bonded so that the trader might take out of 36 gallon cask nine gallons, and only pay duty on nine gallons, which would serve for his im. mediate consumption. The following committee on this head was afterwards appointed: -Aldermen Thomas, Warren, Norton, and Councillors Morris. D Lewis, and R. W Richards. Mr Alderman Warren thought a stage should be built in the river, just below the railway approach on the south side. This, he said, would be of immense benefit to the town, if a small siding was made to join on with the railway. He thought the whole thing might be effected for not more than £ 500. Mr Mostyn Davies pointed out the probable influence that such would have on the anthracite traffic from the Gwend, eath Valley. Mr Alderman Norton said that he thought the least they could do, would be to improve the navigation of their river as much as possible He hoped that the obstacles now existing in conducting the work of the traffic at the railway station would be done away with. The Town Clerk—What would an Act of Parliament cost, do you think ? Mr Lester proposed that the siding should be in a somewhat different place from that already stated. Mr Alderman Thomas (referring to the point men- tioned by the previous speaker) said that there would then be insufficient work for the railway company. If (he proceeded) you entertain the project of going to Parliament for a bill (Voices No, no.) Mr Alderman Thomas (continuing): Well, who is to do it ? for you must remember Mr Young can't give you sufficient accommodation at present. 0 Dr Hopkins in this connection mentioned the London and North Western Railway Company. The Mayor having formally put the resolution above given, that the committee see Mr Young, the subject dropped. Mr Alderman Warren asked under what circum- stances a constable fell into the river, or from the Quay rather, the other day. The Superintendent of Police said that be sent the constable down there about nine o'clock, with instruc- tions to remain there until two o'clock. The officer reported himself to his sergeant between half-past twelve and between one o'clock and two o'clock, having fallen asleep he woke up, and when walking fell from the Quay into a boat and dislocated his ankle. He was attended by Dr. Davies. The sergeant to whom he reported himself said that he was all right at 12.20 —quite sober. Mr Alderman Thomas said it appeared to him that it was a very extraordinary thing for the policemen to be set to watch private property in this way. But what he had to say was on an entirely different matter, and it was this, that people travelled over the Quay when the lamps were put out, and on dark nights at the imminent peril of their lives. Could anyone without prejudice say that the road was not a dangerous one ? Mr T. Thomas referred to the responsibility incurred by the Council if they allowed the Quay any longer to remain without being lit. Mr W. R. Edwards said that the Council had heard that the constable had been asleep, and he reminded the meeting also that he had his lamp for protection. Mr Alderman Thomas—Such stuff! All people don't carry lamps. The Town Clerk—What is the cost of Chinese lanterns ? We might all carry these useful articles (laughter). After some remarks from Mr Alderman Norton, Mr Alderman Warren remarked that he had been frequently told by different parties who used the six o'clock train, that owing to the lights adjacent to the station being put out at that time, it was very dan- gerous to wheel goods, &c. The Mayor asked the Council to take into their care- ful consideration whether they ought to alter present arrangements because one man had tumbled into a boat. He might have had had too much allowance." The Superintendent of Police said that the Doctor would prove that the man was sober. The Mayor, continuing, said that whether he was drunk or sober, the want of light was not complained of. The night might have been a moonlight one. Mr Alderman Thomas—Really, Mr Mayor, I am surprised, the night was not a moonlight one (laughter). The Town Clerk-It ought to have been so (more laughter.) The Mayor maintained that there must have been light to enable the ship-men to discharge the vessel by. Mr Thomas Thomas said that as the Mayor had excep- tional power in ordering gas to be lit, he would not put the resolution he had intended to, upon the condition that the Quay would be attended to. The Mayor said that any permanent alteration had better be made when a new contract was being entered into with the Gas Company. Under the guidance of the Superintendent of Police he would see to the Quay I lighting. Mr W. Jones ridiculed the idea of gas being required, when as a proof had been advanced —the fact that one man bad fallen asleep while on duty. He mentioned that the wages of policemen in this town had recently been raised, and now duty which was little more than child's play could not apparently be performed without occasionally falling asleep. Mr Alderman Thomas —What business had he in the river (laughter.) Mr W. Jones-Very likely he was in some particular dream at the time (laughter.) Mr Alderman Thomas again disapproved of policemen being sent to watch any particular man's property. They were not employed to do so, but on the contrary to watch the whole town. He protested against it, for if the rule was carried out he might ask for a policeman to watch some particular piece of furniture which he might choose to leave out all night. He declared that the employment of policemen as private watchmen was illegal. Mr Mostyn Davies- We ought not to discuss this matter for we have no power in it (laughter). The matter was then referred. The Mayor remarked that the Committee would be aware that a certain resolution bad been passed at a previous meeting, and the Surveyor was ordered to ttive verbal notice to all persons who had not connected their drains with the main sewers, that they should forthwith do so, and he was ordered to report to the Town Clerk the names of all persons in default at the expiration of 14 days. The Surveyor stated what he had done in the matter. The Town Clerk did not think the Council did right in allowing the surveyor to undertake for private parties work of this kind. Mr Alderman Thomas said that it was an immense convenience to the public. The Town Clerk thought it was taken away from time which might be devoted to his public duties. These things ought to be done by the parties them- sel ves. After some further conversation, The Town Clerk said it was useless for them to pass resolutions unless they were to be attended to. What had the medical officer to say for he had not got any list of names from the surveyor ? Mr Alderman Thomas reiterated what was decided at the last meeting, and the surveyor was asked if he had given the Town Clerk any names of defaulters. The Surveyor explained that he thought he was to give the usual printed notice himself. The Medical Officer (Mr Hughes) read a list of houses where the drainage had not yet been completed. At the Model Schools it had not been touched, and he might say that one-half at least his former list had not been completed within the prescribed time. Mr T. Thomas really thought that having the affairs of the Corporation in their hands, they ought to see that their orders were carried out in a business-like manner Dr Hopkins pointed out the work was in the course of completion in the majority of the cases. Mr Alderman Thomas said that the last resolution was simply passed because it was found that the Sur- veyor was abstaining from making proper reports. And the Surveyor was directed to report all who had not complied at the expiration of a fortnight. This had not been done. The Surveyor said that he had been very much engaged. Mr Mostyn Davies said that the Surveyor had a very great amount of work to go through, more than any previous surveyor did. How could they expect this. Mr Alderman Thomas alleged that all the resolution he refer ed to, required of the Surveyor could be done in two hours. He would not be more than an hour in delivering the verbal notice, and not more than an hour in ascertaining at the expiration of a fortnight whether the work had been done. Then in another five minutes he might have informed the Town Clerk as to the people who had not accomplished the work. The Surveyor said that he followed his usual instruc- tions. Mr Alderman Thomas remembered this being dis- cussed before, and what the Surveyor had to do in this matter was clearly laid down in the last resolution which was passed on the subject. After some further conversation The Ma, or said-I understood that this work should not be left to the Surveyor (referring to the proceedings which might be taken against parties who had not complied). Dr H. pkins said that according to the original reso- lution their names should be handed over to the tender mercies of the solicitor. This was the point before the meeting. Mr Alderman Thomas-And that, which he ought to have done a fortnight after the verbal notice expired, he omitted to do. The Mayor—You fully understand now, Mr Surveyor, that what you have to do now is to hand in the names of those parties to the Town Clerk forthwith, who have not yet commenced the work of connecting their drains with the main sewers This finished the business of the day, but beforei the Couu il separated the Mayor announced that h&. intended to call a meeting of the Public Works Com- mittee next week.
THE NAVY.
THE NAVY. Mr J. E. Reed writing to the Times, says It is all very well for the country now to cry out-perbaps a little too readily occatlionally-aboat the state of the Navy, but so far as I can see its condition is exactly what might have been expected as a consequence of the course which the present Government has taken, and to which the country has quietly submitted. When Parliament assembles next year, and has submitted to it the Navy Estimates, a period of three years will have elapsed since the naval policy of the country was fairly and fully submitted to the House of Commons. Last year, with a new naval Administration in Parlia- ment of which no single member had ever before had the slightest experience of the naval service, it would have been idle to attempt to discuss naval affairs properly. The new Government introduced the Navy Estimates of their predecessors, and most of the debat- ing that occurred consisted of altercations between the two front benches. I felt it my duty to give the Government what support I could, in the hope and belief that in the following year they would submit to us in the fullest manner their shipbuilding and other naval policies, and take the sense of Parliament upon them. But. instead of this, not only was the Navy neglected this year by the Government, but it was treated in Parliament almost with contempt. Vainly did we from the opposite Benches week after week en- deavour to bring forward their proposals in detail. All our efforts were fruitless, and it was not until the end of the Session closely approached, and until our patience was utterly exhausted, that they consented to bring forward naval questions for discussion. When they did at length consent it was already too late. Every one who spoke had to speak under the greatest pressure, and I for my part was obliged to waive almost entirely the views I had desired to lay before the House. Meantime, while the naval service was being thus openly neglected, the First Lord of the Admiralty, under whose public protection that service now is, was engaging himself night after night in dis- cussions upon an Agricultural Bill, much of his time and thoughts being devoted more particularly to the question of manure. I felt at the time amazed that a Minister intrusted with the care of su great and noble a service as the British Navy should have allowed that service to be treated in the manner in which it was, and still more that he should himself be the instrument of treating it with neglect and contempt. It used to be the wholesome practice of Parliament to take the Navy Estimates early in the Session, and troublesome and distressing to me, among others, as many of the debates were when I was at the Admiralty, we always felt that full debates in the House of Commons were, nevertheless, the greatest securities for all of us, and that our responsibilities, if increased in one way, were greatly lessened in the other by the publicity which at- tended our operations. Mr Ward Hunt has seen fit, as c our Minister of Marine, to withdraw the naval service to a very large extent from the view of Parliament during his term of office, deferring its interests day after day and week after week to discussions upon guano, and the consequence is that he now rests under a weight of personal responsibility from which I am afraid he cannot possibly escape. It may be very true that Mr Disraeli is a powerful and imperious Prime Minister, and no doubt in a primary sense the responsi- bility for preferring almost any subject to that of the Navy in the Parliamentary business of this year rests upon him but there is nothing that binds a gentleman to take the post of the First Lord of the Admiralty, and nothing that compels him to hold it under con- ditions which are injurious to the public service; and for my part I cannot understand how even a dozen Prime Ministers could so far influence the mind of a man in that position as to cause him to become a willing instrument in the withdrawal of the Navy from Parliamentary view. I must say that I am not surprised that, with the Navy treated in this manner, and with Parliament, as a body, submitting to see it so treated, a widespread injury has resulted to the service. I do not wish to exaggerate minor incidents, and I think it most likely that there has been great exaggera- tion in the case of the Iron Duke" of Saturday last. I do not believe that any neglect, or anything short of a wilful interference with the working of several parts of her machinery, could possibly reduce the Iron Duke" to a sinking condition under the circumstances described. Still, it cannot be doubted that things have happened and are happening in the naval service of a very un- usual character, and it is but fair and reasonable to connect them with the very unusual manner in which the Navy is being managed at the present time, and more particularly with regard to its withdrawal from Parliamentary control. I have thought it right to make these remarks because it is equally impossible to exercise the smallest influence upon that policy if its consideration is confined wholly to the offices of the Admiralty and is withheld from Parliament. The ships that are now being constructed, for example, are of a very extraordinary character, and they ought to have been described to the House in the fullest manner. There are points deserving anxious consideration in connexion with vessels of the Inflexible" type, and more particularly, perhaps, with those smaller vessels of that class which have never been described to us at all, although the Government have taken the power to build them. Concerning the Inflexible" herself, we are in Parliament entirely without the means of form- ing an opinion even upon features which are of vital interest. If the country submits to this state of things, and openly abandons the Naval Service to the care of men who knew nothing about it when they undertook to administer it, and who have since avoided the light and discussion of Parliament, they must be prepared to see the consequences both startling and alarming. With regard to the leading article in the Tirtey of Monday, permit me to say that I repudiate altogether the inference that seems to have been hastily drawn from my Russian letters, to the effect that in setting forth the characteristics and qualities of the Popoffka," I disclaim or denounce the vessels planned at te Admiralty by Sir Spencer Robinson and myself. All those ships were designed between the years 1863 and 1870, and the latest of them, therefore, five years ago, and I challenged my one to p iut to vessels in other Navy that are equ il to them date for date,or to deny that from the Bpllerophon" on to the Sultan" they stood alone for strength and efficiency both when they were designed and when they were completed. In the annals of the British Navy those years 1863 to 1870 will, in my belief, stand marked as a period of great and striking progress, and will red -und to the lasting credit of Sir Spencer Robinson, and of the Duke of Somerset, and other members of the Admiralties of those days No doubt it would suit the style and sentiment of many men, if connected with such a naval construction, to rest content with its results and probably many per- sons in my place would shrink from speaking hence- forth with favour of anything new that coull be brought into competition with them. But to my mnd such a course would be contemptible to the last degree, and I shall not be deterred for a single moment from discussing frankly and freely the future developments of naval construction by the fear that something I may say may be tortured into a depreciation of the vessels which I designed for the Admiralty from five to twelve years ago. But s > far am I, in my remarks upon the Popoffka," from discrediting my former work and prin- ciples, that I maintain that all that I have lately written goes to further the very principles for which I laboured when in office. Long before I left office I wrote and published a paper, in which I said, as an epitome of my views, The merits of ironclad ships do not consist in carrying a large proportion of weights to engine-power, or having a high speed in proportion to that power but rather in possessing great poweis of offence and defence, being comparatively short, cheap, and handy, and steaming at a high speed, not in the most economical way possible, but by means of a moderate increase of power on account of the moderate proportions adopted in order to decrease the weight and cost, and to increase the handiness." I often stated further that I had never been able to carry this principle out as far as it ought to be carried; I have since designed for other persons shorter and broader iron-clads than ever and Admiral Popoff has, in frank and handsome terms, stated in your columns that he owes to my vessels, my words, and my writings the adumbrations of the.e circular vessels which he has so skilfully devised. Let who will, therefore, accuse me of inconsistency I hold it to be not only consistent with, but a development of, my former labours to have said what I have in favour of Admiral Popoff's vessels. There is one point, however, which was adverted to in a recent leading article of yours, and in which you might fairly be considered to have disclosed an incon- sistency on my part if I left it without explanation. You justly said that I had hitherto e'xhibited a strong objection to very low freeboard, and that I had not taken exception to the low free-board of the Popoffka." It is most true that I have always hitherto strenously objected to such vessels as the American Monitors. I do so now, and accidents such as have lately occurred in the Navy show, I contend, in an impressive manner, the justice of my view. If the Vanguard" had been a "Monitor" of the American type, hundreds of men would have gone down in her. A very low freeboard in a long and narrow vessel means a small surplus of buoyancy, a short continuance of floating powers, a speedy end if overtaken by an accident. But in a circular vessel all this is very materially modified by the fact that the volume embraced by a cylinder is very much greater than the volume embraced by the sides of an ordinary ship of equal length of circumference and given depth —nearly three times as much and besides this it must be remembered that the circular ironclads which I have d-scribed and discussed have both been built exclusively for shallow waters within the Straits of Kertch and at the mouth of the Dnieper. There is not, therefore, any inconsistency in my present and former views on this subject. If there were I should be very ready to acknowledge it, for I am under much graver obligations to be just and accurate now than to hold by every opinion I formed years ago. The question at issue between Mr Brassey and Sir Spencer Robinson is a very serious one, but in my opinion its solution is not far to seek. I should not be able to hold with Mr Brassey in condemning such ships either as the Sultan" or as the Inconstant" in regard to the past; I should agree with all that Sir Spencer Robinson says on the subject. But Mr Brassey is always wisely thinking of the fature, and I go heartily with him-as I believe Sir Spencer Robinson will too—in saying that neither Sultans" nor Inconstants" should be repeated now that, by the manufacture of steel plates and by other improvements, speeds and other results equal to theirs can be obtained with smaller vessels It is by such agencies as these. and by other changes which I must not presume to discuss in your columns, that the progress of the Navy both in ironclads and in unarmoured ships has to be carried forward To deliberately abandon either the highest speeds in some vessels or the most perfect offensive and defensive powers in others would be, if not to furl our flag, at least so tempt others to try and furl it.
CHARGE OF CRUELTY AGAINST…
CHARGE OF CRUELTY AGAINST A WELSH PIG DEALER. At the Merthyr police-court on Monday (before Mr A. de Rutzen), Robert James, a pig dealer, of Clydach, was summoned by Mr Dargan, inspector for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for that he did cause certain pigs to be conveyed from Llanlovery to Merthyr in a manner as to cause them unnecessary pain. Mr Lewis (Smith, Lewis, and Jones) appeared to prosecute, and Mr Gwilym James defended. Mr Lewis, in opening the case, said he was instructed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The summons was taken out under the 12th section of the Cruelty to Animals Act, wherein it was enacted that if any persons should convey, or cause to be conveyed or carried, animals in such a manner that would cause them pain or suffering, he should be liable to a penalty not exceeding L3. Having stated the facts, he called David Williams, station-master at Llandovery, who said he remembered the last fair but one, which took place on the 3rd of November. Remembered defend. ant coming to him for a truck to convey some pigs to Merthyr. He asked the number of the pigs, and defend- ant replied 43. Witness charged him for a truck that would contain 43 pigs, and defendant paid him j61 168 6d. The truck was numbered 26,125. The pigs were carried at owner's risk, and defendant did not sign the consignment note, as it was not customary on the Great Western line. The pigs were conveyed by the 5.5 train, and they appeared to be rather thick in the track. This was on Saturday night. Mr Gwilym James Is it not customary for a servant of the company to count the pigs ? Witness Well, as a rule it is, but that day, being busy, we took Mr James's word. I cannot remember when I first heard anything about the issuing of the summons. 1 bad only a very cursory glance at the pigs as they passed out of the station. Mr de Rutzen What difference would it have made if Mr James bad told you that he was going to send 70 yigs iUlltead of 43 ? y. Witness We should have charged him at a higher Mte, and let him have a larger waggon. Police-sergeant Williams said on the 23rd of Novem- ber, he saw a truck of pigs attached to the 55 p.m. train at the Llandovery Station. Inspector Humphreys called his attention to the figs, and he considered they were rather thick, but could not say whether they numbered over 43. Cross-examined b, Mr G. James: The pigs were fighting and quarrelling. Thomas Davies, guard on the 5.5 train from Llan- dovery, said his attention was called to the pigs by the row they were making, and he found they were over. crowded. He called defendant's attention to them, but he did not say anything in reply. He also spoke to Inspector Davies at Llanelly station. Inspector Davies, on the Great Western Railway, said he was on the platform of the Pontardulais station when the 5.5. p.m. train came in. His attention was called to the pigs, which he considered were overcrowded. At several stations he asked in the carriage who was the owner of the pigs, but he received no reply. At Llanelly he determined to get another truck and transfer the pigs, but the train started before he could do so. In his judgment there were too many pigs in the track. Cross-examined It was impossible to count the pigs. Edwin Dorricat gave evidence that in his opinion the pigs were overcrowded. David Jones, checker, &t the Merthyr station, stated that on the 24th November he wae present when the track of pigs arrived. He counted them, and found I there were 43 pigs. He reckoned them, and they did not appear to be crowded. He received the invoice from Inspector Evans. He had never told Inspector Dargan that he did not count the pigs. Cross-examined: He considered a number of pigs when brought together would create a commotion. The truck was comfortably filled. When released the piga were very lively. He did not notice that o-ie of them was injured. Inspector Humphreys, cattle inspector on the London and North Western Railway, proved seeing the truck containing the pigs at Llandovery station. They were overcrowded, and numbered between 70 and NO. Two trucks would have held them propt4rly. The pigs would suffer pain because of being overcrowded. Cross-examined He did not atop the truck, but called defendant's attention to it, but did not tell him that there were between 70 and 80 pigs in the truck. There were not empty spaces in the truck. Inspector Dargaa proved having received information of the overcrowding, and after seeing the defendant he took out the summons Mr Gwilym James, for the defence, said be should call witnesses to prove that 43 pigs were placed in the truck at Llandovery, and that number WitH taken out at Merthyr on the arrival of whft tr.in. Not one of the wi nesses for the prosecution had sworn tf% a specific number of pigs in the truck. Thomas Dtvies, a carpenter liv ng in Brecoo-road, stated that he helped to put 43 pigs in the truck at Llandovery station. John Gwyn (licensed victualler), Thomas Evans (vard inspector at the T'S Vale Station), and Police- constable Parsons were called to prove that they saw the pigs arrive at Mertbyr and they only numbered 43. Mr de Rutzen said he did not think upon this evi. dence that there ought to be a conviction. Both Mr Lewis and Mr James agreed that it it was not proved that there were not more than 43 pi?a in the truck the case must fall through. Only one witness for the prose- cution had spoken to the number of the pigs, while several witnesses for the defendant had sworn there were 43. The case would be diamfa-d. but be could not help thinking that railway companies might exer- cise more supervision in these matters. This was the second case of the kind he had had before him. but be did not wish to bring up cases that had been -before him on a future occasion, but it did seem to him that once the railway companies let the trucks to anybody. that that person not only carried what was right, but whatever he liked to carry.
IMPORTANT TO BANKERS. I
IMPORTANT TO BANKERS. I In the Common Law Division of the Court of Appeal, the case of Smith v. the Union Bank raised a question of considerable importance, especially to the mercantile part ot the community-viz whether a check "crossed" to a particular banker can safely be paid to any other banker. It had arisen thus :-Mills and Co. drew a check on the Union Bank in favour of the plaintiff, and payable to his order. The plaintiff received it and endorsed it, and wrote across it the name of the London and County Bank." It was stolen, and never reached the London and County Bank, but it came to the bands of a customer of the London and Westminster Bank as bona fide bolder for value. He paid it into that bank, and they presented it to the Union Bank, who paid it. The plaintiff, the original holder of the check, then brought this action against the Union Bank to recover the amount, as being the owner of the check, charging the Union Bank with having wrongfully paid it, and also claiming the amount of it on the ground that they had paid it contrary to the terms of the statutes on the subject, the 19th and 20th Vic., cap, 25, and the 21st and 22nd Vic., cay, 79, directing that checks crossed to bankers should be paid only to those bankers to whom the checks were crossed. The Court of Queen's Bench-a division constituted of Mr Justice Blackburn and Mr Justice Field -held that the plaintiff was not entitled to recover, and from that judgment be appealed. The case was argued before the Lord Chancellor, Lord Coleridge, Baron Bramwell, and Mr Justice Brett. The Lord Chancellor delivered, in writing, the judg- ment of the Court as follows. His.ot.rdshlp sliid :-It is certain that before the Statutes no action would have been made maintainable on these facts. By the plain- tiff's endorsement in blank the cheque became payable to the bearer, and would have continued so pliyahle to the bearer, whoever the bearer might be, whether a banker or any other holder. The crossing the cheque without the drawer's authority could have no effect on his mandate to the banker to pay it. It with his authority—as it may be taken to be, considering the well known usage of holders of checks crossing them to bankers-it woeld in effect be the drawer's direction to the drawee still, before the Act, the check vould have remained a check payable to bearer, with a direction to pay to no bearer but a banker or rather only a caution to the drawees that care should be taken in paying it to any one else. It has already been de- cided that, whatever may be the effect of crossing, the negotiability of the check is not restrained. Then have the statutes restrained it? It is impossible to hold that they have. There is not a word in them to tbateffect. Their sole object was to give a direction to the bankers who should be drawees. The first statute — the 19th and 20th Victoria, cap. 25-recites that the object is to provide that the drawers or holders of draughts payable to order may be enabled to direct the payment of the same only to or through some banker, and it then enacts that the crossing of a cheque shall have the effect of a direction that it shall be paid to or through some banker, and that it shall be paid only through a banker. The courts have held that this did not restrain the negotiability of the cheque. Then the other statute-the 21st and 32nd Victoria, cap 79- enacts that more at large, with provisions against ob- literation of the crossing. It enacts that the crossing shall be deemed a material part of the check, but it aaya so for the purpose of preventing obliteration and the direction to the drawee as to whom he is to pay it to remains the same. The Legislature might have added that any one taking the crossed cheque should take it at his peril and have no better title than his trans- feror but it has not done so, and we cannot say that it has by implication restrained the negotiability of the cheque. We must say, then, that the holder of the cheque —the customer of the London and Westminster Bmk, who presented it to the defendants-was the lawful holder, and entitled to retain it against the plaintiff and all the world. This was, indeed, admitted but we have thought it right to examine into the matter, be- cause if that admission is well founded, our judgment must be for the defendants. For if the holder was a lawful holder, and the plaintiff never could have pro- cured payment of the cheque, how is he damnified by the defendants having paid it? Suppose, instead of their paying it, the holder bad handed to them for value, as he might have done, had he kept an account with them ? Or, he might have gone to the drawers and exchanged the check for a new one not crossed. But surely, if he might have done tbat, he and the drawers might have gone to the defendant and requested payment to him, notwithstanding the crossing, as what- ever might be done indirectly may be done directly. Or the holder might have opened an account with the London and County Bank and paid the check in, or got some friend to do so, and then the defendants most have paid it or dishonoured it, and then the drawers would be liable on it. It never can have been the in- tention of the Legislature that matters should be brought to a deadlock where the holder could keep possession of the cheque, and yet be unable to get payment by couset of drawers and drawees. Such an ejectment would leave the value where it ought not to be, with the drawer. It is asked what, then, is the effect of the statute in enabling the payee to cross a check ? We think the answer is easy. It imposes caution, at least, on the bankers. But, further, by its express words it alters the mandate, and the customer, the drawer, is entitled to object to being charged with it if paid con- trary to his altered direction. This must often operate for the benefit of the payee or holder who has crossed the check. Further, if, in addition to the check being crossed, the signature of the- payee was forged, he could retain his property and could recover it from the banker, notwithstanding the Act, the 16th and 17th Vic., cap. 59), which protects a banker paying on a forged endorsement. The case may be put in another way. The plaintiff cannot maintain an action for the wrongful disposition of the cheque, for he had no property in it. He cannot maintain an action on the ground that the defendants have paid the cheque con- trary to the statute, because, though an action lies by the person grieved where the provisions of a statute have been infringed, yet that is only when those pro- visions are for his direct benefit, and he has sustained loss by their infringement. Here the prohibition of payment, except to a banker, is for the direct benefit of the drawer, indirectly only for the benefit of any holder of the cheque. The drawer, if any one, is the person grieved. As we have shown, the plaintiff is no loser by the check having been paid, as another person has become the lawful holder of it. Further, the drawers might refuse to be de- bited with this as having been paid contrary to their mandate, as altered by the Statute. It cannot be that, in addition to this, the defendants are liable to this action. If the statute had meant to prevent any person becoming a lawful holder of a crossed cheque unless he derived his title through a lawful holder, this ought to have been and might have been expressed. If it meant that a man might be a lawful holder, but in no way entitled to the money—a not very intelligible proposition—this ought to have been expressed. We may observe that section 2 of the 21st and 22nd Vio., cap. 79, is inaccurate. It leaves out a provision for a cheque crossed generally and Co." or and Company." The judgment, therefore, must be affirmed. Judgment, therefore, for the Union Bank, the defen- I dants.
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The English Independent states that the Rev Henry Simon has received a unanimous invitation from the congregation of Westminster Chapel to become co- pastor with the Rev Samnel Martin, and, in the event of Mr Martin's retirement, ite sole patter.
I -ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.
I ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE. The Bristol Times says that the rectory of Weston- super-Mare, rendered vacant by the resignation of the Ven. Archdeacon Browne, has been accepted by the Rev. Prebendary G. Buckle, M.A., vicar of Twerton, and one of the examining chaplains of the diocese. The University of Oxford has elected the Rev Wil- liam Michael Croome, M.A., of Trinity College, to the vicarage of Syston, Leicestershire, a parish in the patronage of the university. There was no other can- didate, which is perhaps explained by the fact that the living is worth only £ 115 a year, The rectory of Batherwycke, near Wansford, North- ants, is vacant by the death of the Rev Sotbertoa Backler, M.A., aged seventy-seven, who bad held the living for tbiny-seven years It is in the gift of Mr H. D. Stafford, and is worth £ 450 a year, with house and 105 acres of glebe. The rectory of Heveningham, Yoxford, falls to tbe gift of the Lord Chancellor by the death of the Rev Henry OoVen, in his seventy-first year Mr Owen graduated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1828, and ten %eirtq later was presented to Heveningham, which is worth L600 a year, with house and forty acres of itlehe. l'he death is also announced of the Her John Noble, rector of Nether Brootchton, Melton, Mowbray, a living which he has held for twenty-eight. years. IL is worth L440 a year, and is in private p-tronage. THE CLERGV AND NONCONFORMIST FUNEBA.L9.—» The Bishop ol Gloucester "lid Bristol presided last week at a conference of clt rgy and laitv, held at Chippenham, to consider Mr Osborne Morgan's Burials Bill. The bishop tluid t bar be felt, that Dissenters laboured under some grievance at present, ItS regarded burying their dead, and be thought Churchmen abould attempt to remedy it. There was a clear and fatal objection, however, to Mr Osborne Morgan's bill, for it simply removed a grievance from a minority, and in doing so would inflict an equal if not greater grievance on the majority. HI!! proposal simply invalidated con- secration, and the consciences of Churchmen were to be respected as much as those of D ssenters. The only way be saw out. of the difficulty was for power to be I(i.en to local authorities to provide cen.eterife at the cost (If the poor-rates. Such an offer would teat the sincerity of both parties. Resolutions were adopted, stating that the conference could not recognise the validity of the Dissenters grievance, but approved a proposal that in cunea where the Burial Service of the Church of England was objected to provision should be made for interments, and tbat facilities should be given for the provision of cemeteries. ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMUNTS. — Rev K. A. Brown, M.A., curate of St. James's, Bircb-in-Rusholme, rector of St. Margaret's, Burnage, near Manchester; Rev R. Bickerdike, M.A., vicar of Colbury, Han's, chaplain of the New Forest Union Rev John Gaskill, vicar of SpenoymoOr, Durham-patron, (for this turn), the vicar of Whit worth Rev John Inge, rector of Athelington, rector of Gay ton-Ie- M arsb pKtron, the Lord Cban- cellor; Rev Isaac Hughes Jones, B.A., sub-chanter of St. David's Cathedral, rector of Dinas, Pembrokeshire- patron, Sir T. D. Lloyd Rev John Kemp, M.A., for 25 yearp curate of Birstall, vicar of Birstall-patron, the Bishop of Ripon Rev F. Kitchen, M.A. Jesus College, Cambridge, chaplain to the Episcopalian troops of the 56.h Brigade Depot, Aberdeen Rev A. M. Lewis, vicar of Rye-hill, neaa Nostell-patron, Mr Rowland Winn, M.P.; Rev J. Lewis, vicar of Alltmawr, near Builtb, vicar of Cautley-with-Dowhiggin, York- shire-ptitron, the vicar; Rev W. F. Moncrieff, vicar of Christ Church, Sunderland; Rev William Langley Pope, D.D., chaplain of the Newton Abbot Union, Devon Rev T. P. Powell, vicar of Peterchurch, Herefordshire Rev F. E. Salgrove, vicar of St. Mark's Sunderland Rev Congreve Selwyn, vicar of Welsh Hampton, Salop, vicar of Caynbam, Ludlow, Salop- patron, Mr S. K. Altiinwaring, of Otely-park, Salop; Rev George F. Slalie, vicar of Lewknor, rural dean of Aoton, Oxon; Rev A. Strawbridge, vicar of St. Stephen's, Southwark. I
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
THE EASTERN QUESTION. BERLIN, Tuesday.—In a public meeting held here for the discussion of the Eastern Question, Professor von Sybel, Member of Parliament, called attention to the proposal made at the time of the Paris Conference in 1856. by the historian Professor Ranke, and supported at the time by the Prussian Government. Herr von Sybel gave it as his opinion that this proposal is the only one hitherto made promising a settlement of the question without the dismemberment of Turkey. The proposal was to this effect, that full security of person and property be guaranteed to every Turkish subject, with the right to claim, if accused, trial by a judge of his own religion recommending, moreover, a rough separation of the two creeds; keeping the Turks mainly concentrated in towns and fortresses, and aa- signing the country generally to Christians, combined with the concession to the latter of the right to acquire land and possess arms. All these rights were to be conceded and exercised for the space of ten years, under the supervision and control of a joint commission of the Great Powers. There is a report current to the effect that the German Government is contemplating the advisableness of reviving officially Professor Ranke's proposal and submitting it for consideration to the Powers. ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 30th.-The Journal de St. Pitersbourg of to-day, commenting upon a Berlin telegram recently published by a London paper an- nouncing that the negotiations between Austria and Russia respecting the reforms to be proposed to the Ottoman Government may be considered at an end, says:—"The Eastern Question above all concerns the whole of Europe, which alone is competent to allay and solve any Eastern crisis. Austria and Russia especially have an interest in coming to an understanding between themselves and with Europe respecting the course to be pursued. Wha'ever may be resolved upon, the decision adopted will not be the consequence of a rupture of the negotiations between Austria and Russia, but of a general understanding between the Powers. VIENNA, Nov. 29.—According to intelligence reach- in the New tree Press from Constantinople, the early promulgation may be expected of a fresh official decree, containing more detailed instructions for the applica- tion of the promised reforms in the Christian provinces of Turkey. The Constantinople correspondent of the journal quoted believes that the decree may be published in the course of the present week. The concessions about to be made to the Christian subjects of the Porte are said to include proportionate representation in the provincial councils, conversion of tithes into a regular tax, and admission to service in the corps of gendarmes, the last-named concession ensuring to the Christians an impartial and fair exercise of the powers of the police.
I THE OPERATIONS AT PERAK.
I THE OPERATIONS AT PERAK. GALLE, Nov. 24th, 12.35 p.m.—Commander Sterling and Capt. Whitla, of the 10th Regiment, with 250 men, five guns, and two rockets, attacked on the loth, at noon, and took four stockades. Six cannon were taken. They burned the Lillas villages. The enemy Bad in disorder. Three of the British force were wounded. This success may cause the wavering chiefs to acknow- ledge the British power, and then peace may be re- stored. With reference to the recent proclamation issued by Sir William Jervois in Perak, we are authorized by the Colonial Office to state that the instructions sent out to Sir William are to the effect that he should confine himself to inflicting punishment on the authors of the recent outrage, and providing for the security of life and property but that he is now, as from the first, instructed to abstain from all policy in the direction of annexation. RANGOON, Nov. 28, 10.6 a.m.—General Colborne, with the troops from Hong Kong, has arrived at Perak. The Government: of the Straits Settlements has issued a pacific proclamation. Hostilities are suspended pending the chiefs' answer and the arrival of reinforcements from India. The Times of India gives the following outline of recent events in Perak previous to the murder of Mr Birch In January, 1874, Sir Andrew Clarke, who was then Governor of the Straits Settlements, entered into an agreement with some of the principal chiefs of Perak to protect the State and aid in its administration. This agreement received the sanction of the Home Government, and a Resident was appointed to Perak to protect the interests of British subjects, and generally to aid in the government of the State. This plan does not appear to have answered well, as Sir William Jer- vois, the Governor, at the opening of the Singapore Legislative Council in the beginning of last month, alluding to the relations between Government and the various native chiefs, said In Perak especially, where I have recently had an opportunity of personally observing the condition of affairs, and of becoming acquainted with the chiefs who represent the different interests which prevail in the State, the relations be- tween the adviser and the advised have been unsatis- factory from the very commencement. While her Majesty's Government hold the chiefs responsible for keeping the engagements entered into by them with the British Government, there is scarcely any one of those engagements referred to which has not been violated by them. The Resident's advice is disregarded, and he must consequently either passively look on while acts are committed which he disapproves but cannot control, or he must assume to himself a power which is inconsistent with his position as adviser, thus practically taking upon himself the Government of the State, so far as the opposition of Rajahs and chiefis will permit him to do so. The result is eminently unsatisfactory to all concerned.' Later in the month a proclamation was issued annonncing the intention of the Straits Government to take the administration of Perak into their own hands. The Sultan had stated his inability to govern the territory, and at his request the arrangement was made."
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With deep regret, which will be shared by very many of our readers, her friends, we have to record the death of Mra Leslie Stephen, youngest daughter of the late Mr Thackeray. Mrs Stephen died on Sunday, at the early age of thirty-five.