Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

How THE SALMON NOSE" ITS NATIVE WATER. -In the current number of Land and JVater, Mr Frank Buckland announces a singular theory of the habits of the salmon, He says that the beast" (such is the term Mr Buckland applies to the noble fish) ha^ a wonderful nose, and that he is able to re- cogn se his own stream after a sojourn in the sea by the smell of it. Suppose a s dmon to be cruising off the coast and thinking of milking his run into the in'anil waters, he swims about un-il he catches the whiff of the particular river in which he was born. Going up the Bristol Cnannel, I am a Wye sa'. mon, he would say to himself. This is not the Wye water; its the wrong tap—it's the Usk. I must go a few miles further on. In fact Mr Buckland attributes to the salmon an olfactory sen- sitiveness equal, or indeed superior, to that of a pointer, and a Scotch fish, for example, who, unlike most natives of the country, returns to it on ab sence, can recognise the Clyde after the fashion in which Dr. Johnson proclaimed to Bsswell that he was consciou-2 of being on the soil of Scotland. Other fish besides salmon are gifted with keen noses ac- cording to Mr BucHand, the gudgeon and the roach included. Mr Buck and should not forget, however Old Walton has anticipated him in this ide. What its value may be we shall not decide, but if ithgr, the effect of bestowing on riparian towns a se?e c; the virtue of cli eanliness, we shall not quarrel with it. Is Mr BBuckland, as a practical angler, a belie vie [ in aromatic baita ?

POETRY. A LAY SERMON. I Is there a poor unlettered lund, To all our sense of virtue hlin.I, The meanest outcast of his kind I judge him not, nay though his life Seem both with (od and man at strife, And finish with a rope or knife. How can I tell what passions lay Inwoven with his mind and clay When first he woke upon the day = How tell what influence nurture lent, To turn him from a virtiioas bent, And stifle all his good intent How can I tell how oft he may Have searched his tenement of clay For glimmerings of a better day 'I And through the filth and dross of sin Have heard the still small voice within And longed a better life to win ? The mystery of the life that's here, The doubts of that beyond this sphere, Perhaps have shared his hope and fear. And when he comes to die, who knows How short a sorrowing may dispose, God's pitying hands his eyes to close ? Lo the poor pagan dark and crude Who bows before his (Joil of wood Am I his judge of ill or good I judge not him who counts his beads, Nor him who mutters o'er his creeds, or him who for his idol bleeds. These nearer reach to God may gain, Than I who creeds and shrines disdain, And choose the worship of the brain. Oh mingled maze of good and ill To this result it coinetli still, (iod works us to his final will. FITZ-ROBETIT.

A FORTNIGHT IN NORTH WALES IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1869. LLANDUDNO, JIENAI BRIDGE, CARNARVON, BEDD GELERT, PONT ABERGLASLYN. It had always been a great wish of mine to viit. that part of North Wales which is so justly celebrated for its maguiticent scenery, for its splendid views of Sea and sky, Mounfain -,uid rock, and woodhung vales and hills, Deep glens, anLllakEs and thunder-mocking cataracts and when I took my annual holiday, I naturally turned my steps in the direction of ilie goal of my ambition. All preliminaries were arranged, guide- books studied, and programme marked out; anti one fine Monday in August, I found myself deposited on the platform at Llandudno station, after a pleasant railway journey. The Chester and Holyhead Railway, as all the world knows, skirts the sea coast nearly all along the route; while on the other hand, a panorama of unparalled loveliness and grandeur spreads itself before the eye. Every- one is familiar with its features, and I shall not dwell upon them, but confine myself to the facts," as the judge would say. It was my intention only just to take a peep at Llandudno, "the Queen of the North" of watering places and as I purposed going on to Meuai Bridge with the steamer in the afternoon, my first object was to learn what time it would call. My way to the pier lay through the principal part of the town and along the beach, and I could not fail to be struck with the large, handsome, and seemingly well-built houses which lined the streets. The beach was crowded with persons of all ages and both sexes, enjoying themselves in the many diversified ways which present themselves at the seaside. On enquiry, I found that the steamer would be in about half-past two. It was then twelve, and I thought the best way of employing my time would be in ascending the Great Orme's Head, from the summit of which is obtained a magnificent bird's eye view of the town and surrounding country. The road winds past a kind of recreation ground, which was occupied by a crowd of nursemaids and their charges, some of whom were taking lessons in the good old English game of archery, whilst others were lounging about the photographic establishment, which has its stand here, in all the glory of paint and canvass. The road now began to ascend, and the view opened up magnificently. At the corner by turning round, I obtained a capital view of the grand sweep of St. George's Bay and the town, nobly buttressed by the impregnable Little Orme's Head. Beyond were the Welsh mountains, towering above all. The road now wound along the margin of a precipice of from 300 to 400 feet sheer down, the tide rolling in and reverberating in the caverns right beneath. On the other side, the cliffs overhang the path. Arriving at the old church of St. Tudno, I then retraced my steps across the summit. I have said it was a fine morning, but I shou!d have added with the exception of a few showers of rain," which were accompanied by a cold wind. While on the cliffs I was caught in a sharp shower, which compelled me to seek shelter beneath some friendly rocks that stood near; and after a ramble through the streets, and a hearty luncheon, went on the pier in readiness for the packet. The pier is neither useful nor ornamental, con- sequently of little value. Steamers do not come up to it, and passengers are compelled to go out about half a mile in small boats to meet them. This is owing to some disagreement between the authorities, who would find it more to their advaatage to come to such terms as would enable the steamers to make use of the pier. The smoke from the steamer soon became visible, and as it rapidly approached I, with other passengers, went out to meet it. The sea was far from being "as smooth as glass," but certainly it was not rough. We embarked safely on board the steamer, which bore the name Prince of Wales," and a fiue vessel she was. She had a fa r number of passengers, a proportion of whom landed at Llandudno. We had not proceeded far before I began to feel a great desire to view the treasures of the deep from over the side of the vessel," or in plain words was sea sick. This marred my enjoy- ment, and I was in no frame of mind to watch the lovely scenery along the coast. I partially recovered as we neared Puffins' Island, and was able to look about. We passed under the above-mentioned island which presented a desolate appearance, the only living things visible being the puffins-from which the place derives its name-and numerous other aquatic birds. Beaumaris, with its ancient castle, was the next stopping place. It presents a pretty appearance, backed up by the dark woods surrounding Baron Hill the residence of Sir R. B. W. Bulkeley, Bart. The Menai Straits, through which we were now gliding, are, on the Anglesea side, bordered with t innumerable marine residences, situate in ex t ensive wardens and pleasure grounds, which come down to the edge of the water. On the other side are the fine woods of Penrhyn Castle, which latter plach forms a prominent feature in the landscape. We again stopped opposite the ancient and thriving city of Bangor, and soon afterwards reached our de-tina- tiou-.Afenai Bridge—the fine proportions of which. being visible for some distance, created great admiration among the passengers. It was now about half-past five, and the next train to Carnarvon did not go until half-pait seven, or rather it was announced for that time, as it was several minutes past tight before it went. In the meantime I turned into the Bulkeley Arms and refreshed the inner man," and then sauntered slowly over the Suspension Bridge, that great masterpiece of Telford. The bridge itself attract great attention by its union of strength and grace, being in every part ponderous and gigantic, while yet the whole displays the perfection of lightness and elegance. But, in addition, the scenery from it everywhere within the sphere of vision is most enchanting. Being so elevated—100 feet above high water mnrk-it commands most extensive views, and that up the straits towards Beaumaris is as fine as any in North Wales. Having feasted myself to mv heart's content on the lovely scenery, I took my way to the station, where, as I before stated, I hud to wait a consider- able time for the train. However, it came at last, and I arrived safe at Carnarvon about nine o'clock! and was glad to retire to rest in comfortable apar,- mer.ts which had been secured for me. It w-.s my intetition to make Carnarvon my head- quarters for one week, it being so conveniently Eituated for excursions to all the points of intere-t that attract the attention of tourists, whether they be made by road or rail. Carnarvon in a few weeks will have its railway communication com- plete. It has now three railways, viz., the Carnarvon and Bangor Brai.ch of the London and North- western Railway, the Carnarvonshire R lilwav, which runs south into the Welsh Coat Railway, and the Carnarvon and Llanberis Railway, which conveys us to the very foot of Snowdon. The termini of these railw,yi being situated at great distances from each.other makes it rather incon- venient for travellers, who will be glad to hear o! the completion of the lille through the town which is intended to connect the different railways. At the time of my visit the streets were in a state of confusion, owing to the ravages which the new railway was making in its grogress. A long tunnel will convey it un er Castle Square and the main streets. It has already done one good work for the town in causing the demolition of several old house- totally unfit for human habitation.     way,°/: seeing the country is by road, and the coaching facilities anorded *t Carnarvmi are very gOO<1. Pour.horse coaches run daily to Cape Cung, B.ttwsycoed, Corwen. Bedd- J gelert., Men*. Bndge, N?.tHe, &c. One of them runs round Snowdon, Yia Beddgelert, Penvgwryd, and Llanheris, a distance of thirty-five mile!; and on Tuesday I availed myself of it. I found it started from the railway station at 9,2;" "nd a few minutes before that time I proceeded thither in order to secure a good seat, and bei-i- the liist on the ground engaged the front one with tae driver. The scene for about five minutes before we started was most animated. The custodians of the different coaches, omnibuses, cars, &e, were shout- ing out, and dilating upon the merits of their respective vehicles and routes. We started in very good time, and, as it was rather an unfavourable morning, the number of passengers was limited, there being only six. The coachman remarked that a wet morning made a difference of about four pounds to the coach, accompanying it with a long sigh! Our route lay through the heart of the town, after which we passed the site of the ancient Roman station- Segontium—of which vestiges have been discovered, giving reason to be!ieve that it was one of the principal stations of the Romans, and had also previously beeu occupied and fortified by the native Britons. A little further on we came to the parish church of Llanbeblig, an edifice of considerable antiquity. The road then crosses a bleak high ground passing through the populous village of Waenfawr. Reaching the valley of the Gwrfai, the scenery becomes more varied. One of my companions asked the driver to point out Snowdon, but he replied that it would not be visible for several mil>=. The adjacent hills were, however, very grand. On our right was the rocky eminence of Moel Smythau, forming a striking contrast to the smooth heights of Moel Eilio, on the other side of the road. Soon after passing the pretty village of Bettws Garmon we arrive at Nant Mill, with its beautiful cascades —a charming picturesque object, which has times without number, worthily employed the pencil ot the artist. The Gwrfai here rushes from Llyn Cwellyn, over its steep and rocky bed, while on the left bank a ruined mill is situated, as if on purpose to give effect. The pleasure with which this scene is viewed is attributable in no small degree to the combination of lovely picturesque beauty with the sublime grandeur of the surrounding mountains. We soon reached Llyn Cwellyn, the road passing along the north shore. It is a fine sheet of water, about a mile and a half long, and half a mile broad. It contains abundance of trout, and a species of char, called in Welsh Torgoch. At the northwest end the cliffs of Craig Cwm Bychan descend pre- cipitously to the water s edge, and on its highest point there are the remains of an ancient British fortress, in connection with which, as a matter of course, there is a legend. The scenery in the neigh- bourhood of the lake is very wild, and we are rather surprised when we find on the shore of the lake a very con fortable hostelry, known by the name of Snowdon Ranger." The coach stopped here a few minutes, giving time to wet the "inner man," the rain having performed that duty externally. This inn is much resorted to by anglers on account of the good fishing to be found in the lakes and streams. It is also one of the starting points to Snowdon, but the route is one of the most difficult. Resuming our journey, we had a little further on a good view of Y Wyddfa," or rather would have had, had it not been for the mist which enveloped the summit. About half way down we could discern two waterfalls, which at that distance had the appearance of snow. On the other side were the grand ridges of hills guarding the pass of Drwsy- coed, which leads to the lovely Nantlle vale. Llyn- y-gader, or the Pool of the Chair, was the next object of interest. It is a small gloomy lake nearly circular, and surrounded by dark and rugged crags. A little further, by the road side, is a large rock or boulder stone, which has a striking resemblance of the well known profile of one of England's greatest statesmen—William Pitt; hence it is called Pitt's Head. Here the Beddgelert route to Snowdon commences. Tne road now descends along the valley of the Colwyn, and the scenery begins to improve; the woods, which have been hitherto very scarce, now begin to fringe the road, which soon brings us to the sweet little vdlage of Beddgelert. Moel Hebog, overlooking the village, is a conspicuous feature; and further on, the bluff cliffs, overhanging the pass of Aberglaslyn, form a delightful background to the picture-such a picture as will be difficult to find a spot equal to it, considered either as the object of the painter's eye, the poet's mind, or as a desirable residence for those who, admirers of the beautiful wildness of nature, love also to inhale the pure air of the mountains, and enjoy the quiet which can only be found in such spots. On either hand are woody, narrow, winding valleys, the undulating forms of whose a-cending shaggy sides are richly clothed with various foliage, broken with silver waterfalls, and towering far above th(- clouds. Truly it requires little enthusiasm here to feel with Milton— All things that be, send up from earth's great altar Silent praise. But to return. The coach drove through the village and drew up at the Goat Hotel, a large and commodious hotel, where the tourist will meet with comfortable accommodation. l- We stay here fifty minutes," says the driver, which enables pasengers to have a peep at Pont Aberglaslyn." T lis was part of my programme, and without any loss of time I started off to see this far-famed spot, which was distant about a mile and a half. The road winds along a narrow vale, where the huge cliffs on each side approach so nearly that there is only sufficient width at the bottom for the road and the bed of the torrent that rolls impetuously along the side of it. Here and there the lofty rocks, raised tier upon tier, high piled from earth to heaven," seem to forbid further progress, and frown defiance upon the traveller. Abo;lt midway I was accosted by a boy, who had a small plate of spar and quartz, offering it for sale. On my return, he was accompanied by a companion o- the opposite sax. I again refused to become a purchaser of their wares, whereupon they com- menced singing the March of the Men of Harlecb." which had the effect of causing me to take to my heels." The scenery at Pont Aberglaslyn quite equalled my expectations. The bridge is but an ordinary structure, but beautifully covered with ivy and luxuriant ferns. Here the Colwyn, confined within its narrow bed, makes a boisterous de-cent, and dashes impetuously against the unyielding masses that lie about in wild confusion. I went about a hundred yards beyond the bridge on the Tremadoc road, where I obtained the finest view of the Pass. As I gazed on the scene before me my heart swelled with rapture, and my lips kept reverential silence, for I was alone among" the everlasting hills," gazinsr as it seemed on a relic of E !en lost-on God's own work, still fresh from His Almighty hand, unstained and unpolluted. I felt I could h:tve stayed here for days but, alas my time is limited; I must huiry back in order to catch tie coach. Arriving at the hotel I found I had time to procure luncheon, after which I mounted to my seat on the coach to resume the journey. Some of my former companions were left behind intending to stay at Beddgelert, but their places were filled np by others, and additions made to the former number. (To be continued.)

COUR1' NEWS. I The Queen left Windsor on Thursday for Osborne where her Majesty wi 1 sojlurn for a short time. A special Cabinet Council was h?ld on Thursday The critical state of affairs on the continent pro- balily necessitated the meeting. A rumour that the Prince and Princess of Wales are to pay a visit to India at the end of next year, has teen officially contradicted. In consequence of having suffered from the heat, and her exertions of the last fews, the Queen was compelled to abandon her intention of opening the Thames Embankment on Wednesday. Her Majesty, accompanied by the Princesses Louise and Beatriee, on Tuesday paid a private visit to the Workmen's International Exhibition, at the Agricultural-hall. The display is said to be the best of its kind that has ever been held. THE PKIXCESS OF WALES.—The Princess of Wales, after a trying season 0: engagements de- voted to the enjoyment of others, has sought in a visit toiler illustrious parents thatrelaxation to which she is entitled. The princes-, attended by her royal consort, and taking with her the three eldest child- ren left London on the night of the 7tli instant via Dover for Copenhagen. Their royal highnesses crossed from Dover to Calais in the Maid of Kent s'earner, the prince and princess remaining on deck during the passage. At Calais the princess and her Voun» family, waited on by the Hen. Mrs HardiHge and Genral Sir William Knollys. proceeded by rail. way to Brussels, the Prince of Wales taking leave of the princess and returning VIa Dover to London. Her Ro. al Highness arrived at Copenhagen at seven o'clock on Sunday evening.

THE FATAL COLLIERY EXPLOSION.—The in. quest on the persons killed by the S lver(ble colliery Ssion was concluded on Thursday. The evid- ence ?wed that the ventilation had been carefnily ?d?d to, and no complaints made of gas. Ver- diet" That death resulted from the explosion of gfL-, but how caused there was no evidence to show." TIe jury recommended the return air way to be en- lar.ged. ?AL AOMTOLTUML SHOW.-Thom.eHn. of the Agricultural Society commenced on Monday morni? ?t Oxford, when the show w? opened ?hour .ny formality. The. ollecho, of iple- ments is the h?e.<t ever known, and the a.rr?Mge-- ments are m're complete th?n on p1'evinus o'casions. Tb.re are 40G st?nd.?, which compr??al aiMes. Tae lions of the s-howapp?r to be two 30-horse- pjwer double cylinder self-moving (llines for ploughing and cultivation, made expressly ° Campb -11, of Buscot Pilrk. These gigantic tillers of the ea th, which created quite a sensation when they pa-sed throug i Oxford, are the most powerful i ver* produced in England. The day opBuei beautifully fine, and with no indication ot ram. The Mavor of Oxford attended the show the first t 1 ing in the morning. The judges have taken the pleasant residence known as Charleys Hall, situated by the Parks. Lodgings are plentiful at moderate prices, good beds being obtainable at 5s a night. The exhibition of the stick will he opened on Mon- day next. In every department, except horses, the entries exceed those of the gathering in Manchester last July. The total sum offered for competition amounts to X3,500, beside; a piece of plate, value 100 guineas, and a second Iriz of X50 for the two I best managed farms of over two hundred acres in the district.

STARTING AN EVENING JOURNAL. We were five. I had .£100, Jones X150, Tomlin- son could muster .£70- or .£80, Poddies knew where to lay his hands on £ 200; and last, although not least, Miss Deborah Crochet, a strong-minded female of uncertain age, but weak as regarded funds; and we determined to start a newspaper. With this object a meeting was called at my rooms in Bunkers' Inn. We had all of us more or less flirted with the pen. Jones had for six months done the musical notices for Th- Fiddler;" I had been assistant junior dramatic critic to the same Tomlinson had contributed to the periodical litera- ture of the day-itl est, the "Penny Romances" (indeed, his H, Bold Buccaneer of the Brazils" had been an enormous success, and was then in its second edition) Poddies bad distinguished himself as a penny-a-liner; and Miss Deborah would be an acquisition to us, as she had written many stirring articles on Woman's Rights" in The Dust- bin." In my position as chairman of our congress, I put the question-" First of all, Miss Crochet and gentlemen, what sort of paper is it to be-high class, low class, serious, comic, Liberal, Conserva- tive, Radical, Independent—daily or weekly?" Serious, by all means, my dear Mr Bobbets," said Miss Crochet. I, for one, would not sully the lustre of my pen by writing for a vulgar comic periodical." "Make it a serious weekly," ex- claimed Tomlinson, and then we shall lots of time to prepare the matter." Won't do at all," in- terrupted Jues too many new weeklies already. It must be a daily." I am qaite of your opinion, Mr Jones," said the Crochet. "Morning or even. ing?" I asked. Evening, by all means. I'll tell you why. A morning requires no end of original writing, necessitating an immense amount of labour and trouble while an evening will cost us next to nothing, being made up of little bits, on diis, odds, ends, tittle-tattle, and scraps collected from the 'mornings;' with the smallest possible amount of original stuff, mostly 'Police Intelligence I —This Day, which may be had gratis; Markets, ditto Desperate attempt to set fire to the Marble Arch:' and things of that description; the principal expense being the foreign telegrams, of which two or three may be crammers." Here all laughed but the Crochet, who pretended to be shocked. To work a morning we should require a staff of contributors, while we can easily do an evening ourselves. For example: I'll be Special Correspondent at Paris, Naples, St. Peters- burg, Madrid, San Francisco, New Zealand, and Calcutta. And this is how I propose to do it:— Buy up all the mornings;' look them through, take a pen, cut a little from one and a little from another, and write an originial communication. It's easily done, and no one will be a penny the wiser." "But, then, Mr Jones, that will be a de- ception on the public," said Miss Deborah. What does that matter, my dear madam," answered ho, if we can save money, and they don't know any better? Besides, our articles will be founded on fact." At any rate, that is consoling," said the Crochet; as I could not lend my name to any pub- lication that was conducted on anything but the highest principles." Just sr), Miss Crochet; pray don't alarm yourself on that point. To return to our subject. If we are much pressed, I don't mind throwing in the Parliamentary as well." "Jones, you're a positive genius!" I exclaimed. Nothing of the kind; but I am practical. Our friend Poddies here is of an inventive nature and he can give us some striking articles of this kind, which will look attractive on the show bills :—' A baby poisoned by eating three vegetable marrows and a Bath brick,' giving baby's name, parents' pursuits, full particulars, some out-of-the-way place no one ever heard of. Twice a-year, at the least, he can give us—' Attempted assassination of the Em- peror of the French,' which will command a brisk sale, and can be contradicted next day Alarming conflagration at Terra del Fuego;' Capture of a whale at Battersea,' &c. But I am certain that Pod lie's imagination will not require stimulating, and I think we may with safety leave that department in his hands." I sincerely trust, Mr Poddies, that you will be prepared to vouch for the accuracy of any statement you may publish," said Miss Crochet. Certainly! madam, cer- tainly Oh Poddies will vouch for anything, Miss Crochet," said Jones. "I am glad of that, as it will remove the responsibility from my shoulders, and I really could not lend my name—" "Of course not, madam, of course Rot. But Poddles's statement s will not interfere with you at all." In that case, Mr Poddies is at liberty to state anything he pleases." "Tomlinson," re- sumed Jones, "you're the man for the a-oriy or sensational articles hot, strong, sentimental, pathetic; somewhat in the style of your own romances. Something of this kind Saven thousand five hundred years ago, before the warm and life-inspiring rays of the bright orb of day had shone upon his terrestrial and corruscating ball- before the mighty waters that now in peals of liquid thunder surge over the majestic slopes of Niagra, and from thence to the Black Sea and the Bos- phorus; washing in their pathless track the lava- laden shores ot Naples, and the Scylla and Charybdis of ancient story-before the vast atomic concourse, in its frailty and beauty, had been drawn together as by the mighty hands of some magnetic influence-when the whole earth was ocean, and Time was in its cradle-or, more cor- rectly speaking, in its long clothes,' &c. That's the way to pitch it, when you are dealing with astro- nomical or philosophical matters. When a gr-it man dies you can commence:—' One chilly evening in the autumn of (giving some date. or other, about halt' a century bick), an aged man, ac companied by a small boy-his junior in years- might have been observed threading the mazy labyrinths of Hampstead Heath, and ever and anon casting his eyes inquiringly in the direction of Pentonville. Few persons who looked upon that interesting couple would ever have imagined that that small boy would have become a man—a man whose name is famous wherever the English language is spoken, wherever the English foot has trod, on the broad waves of the Pacific Ocean, in Turkish kiosks, in Indian jungles, among the palmy islands of the rude Atlantic, or on the sunimit of the blue C mcasian Mountains yet that frail boy was the famous So-and-so, whose demise we have the pleasure of recording to-day in another column.' Humph 1 Yes," said Tomlinson; if it succeeds I thin1: I can manage to do what we want." If! ejaculated Janes. If We will succeed Just so. Jones. Your high-flown speech reminds me of that French fellow—ancient party connected with the Church—Richelieu, who said, There's no such word as fail.' Precisely," returned Jones nothing could express my meaning clearer." Ex- cuse me, Mr Jones, broke in the Crochet, "but I cannot agree with the principles on which you intend to conduct this journal; believe me, I cannot lend my name to this veture-" ".Unles your own pet projects are carried out, Miss Crochet, interrupted Jones. "Quite so! Now, if you have any articles you pride yourself specially upon, say so, and they shall be inserted at any early date." "Oh, really, Mr Jones, you are very considerate. In that case, may I ask you to give prominence to my letters on Housekeeping in the Middle Ages,' and the Women of the Remote Future,' My dear Miss Crochet, they shall appear in onr first numbers." Oh, thanks! a thousand thanks In that case I withdraw my scruples, feeling certain the paper will be conducted on the most trustworthy principles." I think my name will be a sufficient guarant e for that, Miss Crochet," returned Jones t; Bobhets," he added, turning to me, you must undertake the editorial department, look after the adverti-emenfc=, and do the theatrical, musical, and banqufts. Will that suit you ?" Yes." "Very well; I know a firm who'll be glad to do the printing on advantageous terms; and I've got a second floor in Fleet Street for the publishing. ThesellinL, price will of course be ld. Any dissentient ? None Carried nem con. And now comes the momentous question, By what name shall we christen the little darliner. Ah that's a poser," said I:t Suppose we call it The Post Meridian.' "Won't do!" Tiie Twilight Warbler,' said Miss Crochet. Scarcely suggestive enough, my dear madam." The Rushlight!' cried Tomlinson. Don't talk like that, if you please, T., you hurt my feelings. Our paper must dazzle, not glimmer. What do you I say to 'The Nocturnal News P"' asked Poddies. No; I don't fancy that. I have it—what do -? ? -z you think ot lne Evening onocKer? inose in favour of The Evening Shocker' will have the kindness to hold up their hands." "All!" "Carried nem con." Miss Crochet and gentlemen, I beg to propose Success to The Evening Shocker." Last of all, when do we commence? To-day's Tuesday. How will next Monday suit you?" Do you think we shall be ready in time ?" I asked. Certainlv I have arranged everything. Bobbets, a word with you. Although you are to be editor, you must allow me to conduct the bantling for the first week." Just as you please, Jones no one could manage it better. And, after a few remarks the meet llg broke up. Monday soon arrived. We had advertised the new-comer well; and an army of street boys was devoted to our interest, each of whom was to wear a printed slip-" The Evening Shocker"—in his cap. We had plenty of stuff for the first number., The Women of the Remote Future" ran into four columns and a quarter. Tomlinson had sur- pai-ic I himself in a leading article on The Ante- diluvian Press; or, the Literature of the Ancients." Poddies and I had worked bravely, and Jones hadn't clo=e 1 his eyes for three nights. About one o'clock, Jones came to mp, half mad with delight, waving a broad sfieet in his hand. It was the proof 'd h" h d eopy. "Bobbets!" said he "your hand, my boy! 'The Evening Shocker' is an accomplished fact. The winter is running it off now. What do you think of our first number ? folding it, as he spoke to get at the middle. "Here we are :— ct 4 Thp Evening Shocker.' Fifteenth Edition! This Dav's News Latest Telegrams Foreign Intelligence li I Paris, 1 pm-Bourse much agitated. Rentes lower, 50 cents. A terrible catastrophe is reported on the Seine no time to send particulars. u., Madrid, 11 a.m.—Ministerial crisis. Advertisement in daily papers this morning headed, w Wanted, a respect- able married man, without encumbrance, as King." Carlist rising somewhere.' Paris, 1 30 p.m.—Bourse still agitated. No catas- trophe on .the Seine the whole affair an hoax by an insane man.' New York, last evening.—Arrival of R.M.S. City of Chattanooga, with mails; all well.. Gold 159J, silver lower. Cotton middling 35, upland brisk. Stocks, no demand. Petroleum, in bags, inclincd to drop. Flour as usual, white 8 dols. Corn troublesome. Rum unsteady. The President was at Washington or somewhere else.' Ilolice. This D-,ty.-Dow Street.—Desperate assault on the police by a boy six years old. Marlborough Street. —Knox on Door-knockers. Worship Street.—Disturbance in a chapel.' House of Commons. This Day.—The Speaker took the chair at one o'clock. Sir Hugh JIuffkius took the oaths and his seat for Little Bribingt in.* I I -Nioney Market, Price3 tending downwards. No business doing. St,3,Ic Exchange closed in consequence of a boat-race somefl-hert- 91 Crickt. Lord's. North-Easters v. South-Wpsters. Xorth-Easters having it all their own way ;Gaffin 501 runs., left running. Here's Poddle's first attempt: 'Death in a plum-pie.' No time to read it now. 11 -Court of Chaucery. Re Cosmopolitan Financial Corporation (limited). Smasher's caoe,' There you see, my boy, plenty of original news." Plenty! I should think so. However did you obtain it all ?" Never mind Attention, if you please, to our great drztw-shows well-biIg n letters all over the sheet- Iicpending cou.ArsK of the Zodiac Insurance Compiny. It was currently reported in City circles this afternoon th, ,t the Zodiac, one of the oldest insurance offices in the metropolis, was likely to suspend operations, in con- sequence of inability to meet its engugemunts." "Jones! Jones!" I said; "you're treading on dangerous ground; why, the Zodiac is as safe as the Bank." Of course it is—safer; But it will sell the paper to-day, and we can apologise to-morrow." Do you think it will be all right ?" Of course Don't worry your head about that. At any rate, I mean to chance it," and he went off in a tiff. At two o'clock we commenced issuing, and the demand exceeded the supply—the statement about the Zodiac causing the paper to be bought up rapidly. That afternoon our circulation reached 15,000 copies. Jones was in ecstasies Poddies and Tomlinson bewildered. But I felt a secret uneasi- ness about the insurance company so much so, that I could not help saying to Jones, I v ish you'd let the Zodiac alone." Say another word about that affair, and I retire from the concern; and then what will you do ?" he replied. Let him alone, Bobbets! He knows what he's about," growled Poddies and Tomlinson. The next day we printed a denial of the Zodiac affair, and Jones was inwardly chuckling over its success, and was meditating another canard; when -lo and behold !—the following morning we received notice that the directors of the Zodiac had commenced an action against us for damages, fhe first thing we dW was to hunt up Jones. Here's a delightful mess you've got us into," said Poddies. What's to be done now ?" I haven't the remotest idea," answered he. It's a bad job altogether." A bad job! I should raider think it was a bad job I remarked. Ah that's right-blame me! Of course it's all my fault! You wanted to sell the paper, didn't you? And what was I to do ? I never met with such a set of ungrateful curs in all my life Well, but what are we to do ?" "Fight it out!" said Jones, and don't bother me." The next day the Zodiac offered to withdraw the action if we would state the source from whence we obtained the rumour. This we were unable to do. The affair got wind. The morning and evening papers held us up to derision. Our printer struck our boys rebelled; and we couldn't obtain an adver- tisement unless we inserted it for nothing. We started on the Monday, and on the Saturday morn- ing one of the leading daily papers announced as follows:- Died, after a lingering existence of five days, the latest bantling of the world of letters, the Evening Shocker. Although its life was a short it was not altogether a merry one, as no less than three actions for libel have already been commenced against its promoters. We trust we shall not be accused of evil feeling when we say we rejoice to learn that this miserable scandal has ceased to exist. It is only a matter of wonder to us that such a scurrilous, mischievous, and pestilent journal ever saw the light. The company took us into court, and obtained .£5000 damages. No-I am wrong. They never obtained them, for we levanted A Reading, by Lichfield Moseley," in Once a Week.

The wide reputation, and increasing demand for Hor- niman's Pure Tea (which for the past thirty years has been supplied direct to the consumer, through apppointed Agents), has induced some to copy their labels, packets, it is therefore necessary for the public to observe, that genuine packets are signed JJíH <0 FJ Horniman and Co., London, Original Importers of the Pure Tea." Being supplied only in sealed packets, uniform strength, delicious flavor, with real cheapness are guaranteed. A list of the Local Agents will be found in our advertising columns. VACCINATION AND SMALL POX.—While so many delusions are abroad in reference to vaccina- tion, it may he worth while to quote a statement made in the House of Commons a few days ago, by Dr Lyon Playfair, a great authority upon matters relating to public hea'th. Small-pox, Dr. Playfair said, was at once the most revolting and yet the most preventible of all diseases." As to the. former point, no argument is required-the sight of one patient suffering from the disease establishes the justice of the observation. As to the "ability of science to prevent small-pox, Dr. Playfair men- tioned certain facts which cannot be too widely made known. He said that- Previous to Jenner's discovery the mortality by small pox w.is 3,000 per million of the population. After his discovery vaccination was gradually adopted, and three years before the first Vaccination Act of 1840-the Regis- trar-General's return gave the opportunity of seeing how much improvement had been effected. Under the system of voluntary vaccination the mortality ha I been reduct-d to 770 per million. By the Act of 1810 vaccination was made gratuitous, but not compulsory. That system con- tinued for nine years, and the effect was to reduce the mortality to 301 per million of the population. In 1833 a compulsory Act was passed, but it was extremely defective in its machinery, and was amended in 1861. In ten years the mortality had been reduced to 171 per million of the population. So rnujh with regard to England. Now, with regard to Scotland and Ireland, the effect of the com- pulsory law of 1863 had been almost to stamp out small-pox. In 18GS the total deaths in Ireland were only lV, and in Scotland 24. There could not be the slightest doubt that compulsory laws, when properly applied, as in Scotland, and Ireland, were perfectly equal to stamp out small-pox in a country. Such evidence as this ought to be sufficient to estab- bish at once the efficacy of vaccination, and the im- portance of its compulsory application. ATTEMPT AT VIOLATION AND MURDER.—At the Jersey criminal assizes, on Friday, a young Frenchman, Auguste Kuel, barely 20 years of a-me, was tried upon two charges of attempted violation and murder of a young French girl, Victorine Langlois. The prosecutrix had been to a public house in the village of Gorey, in the parish of St. Martin's, to make inquiries concerning a vessel that was to sail for France on the following day. The prisoner, who was in the house, followed her along the road home, accosted her, and made improper overtures. She r pulsed him, and proceeded on her way, he following and renewing his importunities. On reaching a secluded spot near the edge of a cliff he seized her, threw her down, knelt upon her. grasped her by the throat to stifle her cries, and at- tempted to criminally assault her. She resisted and managed to get away, when he overtook her, seized her, and threw her over a low hedge on to a plateau on the othor side, a distance of seven feet from the top of the hedge. The prisoner leaped after her, dragged her to the edge of a slope and shoved her down a distance of 15 feet. At the foot of the slope the cliffs faTls perpendicularly about 25 feet, and she would have fallen over had not her progress been stopped by a bush. On seeing this, the pri- soner went down the sl)pe, releasd her from the bush, and pushed her over the edge, she falling on tlH rocks beneath. She lay for sometime insensible, and at length, and with a dislocated ankle, and covered with bruises, she contrived to crawl up the cliff and get assistance. She was confined to her bed for six weeks, and still suffers from the injuries she received. The jury unanimously returned a ver- dict of guilty and the prisoner was sentenced to 14 years' transportation. A DISGRACEFUL FRACAS.—A very disagreeable incident took place at the mid-day promenade in Rotten-row on Tuesday last, which will not im. probably furnish matter for judicial investigation. Two gentlemen, officers in the army-Major Kane and Major Gordon—assaulted each other with great violence, and in a few moments each of the com- batants was deluged with blood. It is not easy in such matters to ascertain who was the first assail- ant, but this is perhaps of the less consequence, as, strange though it may seem, the affair was pre- meditated. If our information be correct, some difference arose between the gentlemen in conse- quence of one of them spiiling a glass of wine over a lady's dress at a recent dinner party, which led to a hostile challenge on the part of the other. The The cartel was refused, and thereupon the lady's champion intimated his intention of chastising the awkward wine-bearer on the first opportunity in public. It was expected that the affair would come off on Monday, but possibly owing to the prepara- tions of the combatants being incomplete, it was postponed. On Tuesday, however, the gallant officers appeared in the park armed with canes, and one carried besides an umbrella. About half-past one o'clock, when the park was at its fullest, they met in the walk on the right hand side of Rotten- row. In the course of a few seconds Major Kane, parrying his opponent's blows with his umbrella, succeeded in laying open the left side of Maior Gordon's head, the blood flowing profusely over his face and clothes. Though severely stunned, the latter continued to fight, and at length managed, by a well-directed blow, to cut open the right temple of his antagonist. All this time affrighted ladies were rushing from their seats, whilst equestrians and pedestrians crowded from all points to witness the unusual spectacle. The police, it is scarcely necessary to observe, were nowhere. At length a cons able appeared, and the gallant officers were separated and marched off.—Morning Post.

I IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. I HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. The Earl of Malmesbury asked for information which the Government possessed as to the candia- ture of Prince Leopold. Earl Granville replied that a telegram was received at six p.m. on the 6th inst., announcing that Prince Leopold was the choice of the Prtovisional Government of Spain. Subse- quently he saw M. Lavalette, the French ambassador, who in i strong terms protested against the action of Spain. He (Lord Granville) had reserved his opinion on the general subject, but he had expressed his regret that such strong language should be used by the French Government at the outset of the affair. The subjeat then dropped —The Marquis of Salis- bury gave notice of his intention to move thit the University Tests Bill be referred to a select com- mittee. In answer to some remarks made by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe on the subject of the Greek murders, Lord Granville said that her Majesty's Government had one deteimination, and a fixed one —to insist on the most complete inqriry into the facts of the case. He added th^t Lord Clarendon's death was accelerated by the trouble and anxiety the event had occasioned him. A motion to address the Crown on the subject was withdrawn. HOU -E OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. MrOtway stated, iu answer to Mr Gregory, that there was no foundation for the report that the English Government had expressed itself favourable to the candidature of Prince Leopold of Hohen- zollern for the Crown of Rpiin.-In answer to Sir W. Hutt, Mr Gladstone said that, while the Gov- ernment was unaware of the exact state of affairs between France and Prussia, every legitimate friendly influence would be exerted to preserve peace. This announcemi nt was received with cheers.—In answer to Mr. Stapleton, Mr Gladstone admitted that the representation of Scotch and Irish peers was not satisfactory, but Government was not at present prepared to take any steps in the matter-The bouse then went into committee on tho- Edcuation Bill. Mr Lowther's amendments on clause 65 were rejected by heavy majorities. The age of boys required to attend school was by consent altered from five to twelve to not less than five or more than thirteen years." An amendment to clause 66 by Mr Pell was rejected, and the clauses up to 80 inclusive were passed. On clause 81 Mr Candlish moved an addition to the effect that Par- liamentary grants should not be made to schools not receiving grants at the time of the passing of the Act, nor to schools not provided by local boards. In supporting the amendment, Mr Dixon renewed his protest that the giving of increased grants to denominational schools was really the adoption of the principle of concurrent endowment. Defending the clause of the bill as it stood, Mr Forster con- tended that the main principle of the bill was to give a good secular education, which object, he maintained, would be none the less attained because it might be accompanied by sectirim teaching. The amendment was however lost by 190 against 70, after which the house got rapidly through the remainder, to the postnoned and new clauses, and several propositions of the Government having been adopted, progress was reported. HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. I The Marquis of Townshend movei the second reading ot the Contagious Diseases Prevention (Metropolis) Bill, which had for its object the exten- sion of this Act to the metropolis. As the Commis- sion appointed to inquire into the question of exten- sion had not yet reported, the bill was withdrawn.- The Lectionarv Bill passed through Committee, and the Benefices Registration Bill was read a third time and passed. HOUSE OF COMMONS—TUESDAT. THE LORDS' AMENDMENTS ON THE IRISH LAND BILL. The afternoon sitting was occupied by the con- sideration of the Lords' amendments on the Irish Land Bill. At the outset Mr Disraeli invited Mr Gladstone to state the view entertained by the Government of the alterations which had been made in the measure. Thereupon the Prime Minister an- nounced that they could not assent to the change which had been made in the scale of damages for eviction, or in the term of the lease, by which the operation of this scale might be avoided. They should reluctantly assent to the change which had been introduced into the clause which prescribed what should be regarded as disturbance by the act of the landlord. When Mr Fortescue proposed to restore the scale to its original shap fixing the maximum of compensation for holdings up to XIO, at seven yeirs' rent, Mr Disraeli declared his inten- tion to take the sense of the House upon the subject; and that sense was immediately declared in favour of the motion of the Chief Secretary by a majority of 91-146 to 55. The proviso enabling a tenant to claim under a lower branch of the scale was, at the instance of the same right hon. gentleman, restored without any opposition. The House so far dis- agreed with the Lords' amendment prohibiting let- ting in conacre as to introduce, upon the motion of Mr Samuelson, an exception in favour of land so let for the growth of potatoes or a green crop. The subject of labourers' cottages occupied more time, and led to more difference of opinion. The Govern- ment, to avoid endangering the passing of the Bill, proposed to accept the amendment of the Lords making the erection of cottages dependent upon the consent of the landlord. This course did not meet the views of Mr Synan, Mr Downing, and some other Irish members; but upon a division beinsr taken it was sanctioned by a majority of 3o7—396 to 29. Mr Disraeli divided the House against the proposal to disagree with the Lords' amend meat re- ducing the term of the lease wtihh should bar a claim under the scale of damages from 31 to 21 years, but he was beaten by a majority of 70—262 to 186, and the original term of 31 years was re- stored to the Bill. In the clause introduced by the Lords to permit landlords or tenants to register im- provements which they h-id made, Mr Samuelson proposed to insert words rendering this operation dependent upon the joint action of landlord and tenant, instead of upon the separate action of either. This alteration was accepted by the Gorerninent, but was condemned by Sir R. Palmer, Dr. Ball, and others, as practically rendering the clause inopera- tive. When the House divided it was carried by a majority of 63-249 to 186. Another division was taken against the proposal of the government to re- place in the eighth clause the words (omitted by the Lords) which gave to the Judge of the Civil Bill Court a general power to hold eviction for non-pay- ment of rent to be a disturbance of occupation, if he thought the circumstances of the case called frr such a decision but the course recommended by the Ministry was agreed to by a majority of 77-248 to 171. Several of the Lords' amendments were agreed to without opposition but before they were all disposed of the sitting was suspended. THE TRUCK ACT. I When the House re-assemblcd, at nine o'clock, Mr Mundella called attention to the systematic evasions of the Truck Acts which still prevailed in different parts of the United Kingdom, especially in the coal and mining industries of Scotland; and moved an address to the Queen asking her to in- stitute an inquiry into thess offences. The hon. gentleman stated a large number of facts, supported by the production of original documents, to prove the existence of these malpractices, not only in Scotland, but in South Wales and North Notting- hamshire, under the protection of members of Par- liament, deputy-lieuteiiant3, and magistrates; and suggested that the only sure method of putting an end to them was to substitute imprisonment for fine as the punishment of such breaches of the law. The request for inquiry was supported bv Sir R. An- struther, Mr Anderson, and Sir E. Colebrook, the last of whom suggested that the evil had been some- what exaggerated, and that the remedy was to be found rather in the action of the men themselves than in additional legislation and its necessity was indeed admitted by the Home Secretary himself, who undertook that if this motion was not pressed, the Government would during the recess undertake an investigation in the subject. Mr Whalley said a good word for the truck system, and attributed the hostility to it entirely to the jealousy of small shop- keepers Mr Mundella eventually withdrew his mo- tion, and the inquiry was left to be conducted by the Government in the manner which should seem best.—Mr Aytoun asked for the production of papers relating to the adoption of the principle of unrestricted competition for first appontmcnti1 in the public service; but when they were refused he did not press his motion, and after Mr Lowe had given some explanations upon the general question the subject was allowed to drop.—The first order of the day was the Committee upon the Party Proces- sions (Ireland) Biil, introduced by Mr W. Johnston; and when it was reached, Mr C. Fortescue rose to move the rejection of the measure, at the same time announcing amid pretty general cheprs, that the Government intended towitbdrawthe Bill which they have themselves brought in upon the subject. Lord Crichton, who in the absence of the member far Belfast, had charge of the Bill, felt it useless to enter into a discussion of ita provisions in the face of the hostility of the Government; and when Colonel Knox had read a few sentences from Han- sard," the House divided, and the motion of the Chief Secretary was carried by a majority of 75— 121 to 46.—The absconding Debtors Bill having passed through Committee, and some other orders having been disposed of, including the passing of the Clerical Disabilities Bill, the L ■rds' Amendments in the Irish Land Bill, which had not already been considered, were agreed to, and the House adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. PLACES OF WORSHIP BILL. I Mr Osborne Morgan, in moving that the order tor going into committee on this bill be discharged, explained that the measure had a two-fold object. First, to facilitate the acquisition of sites for places of worship, and secondly, to give power to obtain land for the erection of schools. Since the bill had been read a second time the latter object had been attained by the introduction of clauses into the Elementary Education Bill, so that if he were to persevere with the bill he would have to cut it in half; and considering the period of the session at which they had arrived, he thought it better to Iwithdraw the bill now, and reintroduce it next session with reference to the acquisition of sites for places of worship. PERMISSIVE PROHIBITORY LIQUOR BILL. in moving tne second reading ot the Permissive Prohibitory Liquor Bill, Sir W. Lawson dealt with accustomed emphasis upou the evils which arise in this country from habits of intoxication; and maintained that they are in great part attributable to the temptations which are offered to the people under the existing system of licensing public-houses. He regretted that this measure had not reached its present stage at an earlier period of the session, but justified its postponement on the ground that he had been waiting for the production of the general licensing measure which had been promised by the Government. The mot-on for the second reading was seconded by Lord C. Hamiltju, while the rejec- tion of the measure was proposed by Mr Wheelhous'' and Mr O'ReiUy Dease. Mr Whalley supported the bill, which he described as not a measure of pro- hibition, but a most valuable and necessary improve- ment in the existing system of licensing. Mr Kennaway on the other hand could not recognise either the wisdom or the justice of this proposal, and dwelt especially upon the necessity which it, aloption would create for giving compensation to the dealers in intoxicating liquors. Mr Bruce ex- plained the circumstances under which the Govern- ment had been prevented from introducing their Licensing Bill during the pre-etit session—the extraordinary length of time occupied by the con sideration of the Irish Land Bill and the K iucation Bill-;tnd proaiiscd that it should be brought in at the earliest period next year. He L(trii;tteLt tfcat it wai desirable to reduce to a considerable extent the number of pubHc-hou-es and beershops, and in carrying out this restriction to give effect to the popular will expressed in a gpiar^ed and legitimate manner. The bill of the member for Carlisle was in many respects imperfect, especially in making no provision for the compensation which it would be necessary to pay to the dealers in intoxicating liquors; and for a variety of reasons he was compelled to recommend the House to reject it. Mr M. A. Bass attributed to the supporters of this measure the desire to suppress the trade in intoxi- cating liquors altogether; and described the b 11 as merely a feint designed to impress their principles as far as possible upon the Licensing Bill to be introduced next year. When a division was t-ik^n the motion for th" second reading was negatived by a majority of 31-121 to 90; but the announcement of the numbers was received with loud cheers by the supporters of the bill, who evidently regarded this defeat as a presage of ultimate if not approxi- mate victory.—The Chu?chwardens' Liability Bill, which had come down from the House of Lords, Was read a second time. THE BURIALS BILL. The House then went into committee on the Bu-ials Bill. Mr Selater-B ioth moved an amend- ment in the first clause to restrict the performance of the burial ceremony to cloraymen of the Church of England. Mr Baines and Mr Bruce opposed the amendment, and the bill was ultimately talked out, progress, in accordance with the rules of the House, being reported at a quarter before six o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. I Their Lordships discussed the University Tests Bill, and, notwithstanding the powerful advocacy of the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Exeter, they rejected it by 97 to 83. The Marquis of Salisbury than moved for a committee to inquire as to the best means of preserving religious education in the universities in case of the admission of per- sons not now eligible. This was opposed by the Government, but was carried 97 votes to 79. I HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. I Mr Tillett took his seat for Norwich.—In answer to Mr Stacpoole, Mr Gladstone said that it was not intended to discuss the question of a royal residence in Ireland this session.—After some minor matters had been discussed, Mr Disraeli asked whether the Government had any communication to make relative to the Franco-Prussian question. Mr Glad. stone said that they had no specfic intelligence. The negotiations between France and Prussia still con- tinued. Her Majesty's Government continued to use every effort to preserve peace.—The Kducation Bill was then proceeded with, and a proposal to adopt the ballot in voting for members of school boards, which was accepted by Government, led to a long and excited discussion. A m'ttion was at length made to report progress, but this was rejected by 244 against 136, and the debate was resumed.

THE VOLUNTEER a AT VV IAI I_>I_II^UV_K\. The Wimbledon meeting commenced on Monday, the principal competition was for the Prince of Wales' Prize of £ 100, open to volunteers being winners of silver or bronze medals given by the National Rifle Association since the last Wimbledon meeting; Government rifles; distances, 200, 500, and 600 yard- Shooting was interrupted before any of the competitions were completed by the rain which fell to copiously as to literally inundate the camp, which speedily presented a resemblance to a vast pond. For ten years no such deluge of rain had ever fallen, and the authorities, with that scant wisdom which is commonly their characteristic, actually forbade the precautions which had pre- viously been adopted in case of rain. There were no trenciies dug, and the water flooded the tents in every camp until the whole ground resembled a vast lake. For an hour the rain descended in torrent., and scarcely tuft of (yragg e-oald be seen unless it was in a pool of water. The camp was simply a morass, and many of the tents were fl Joded; the furniture was drenched, the flowers washed almost out of their pots, and the trenches converted into miniature moats. The volunteers who had come to Wimbledon for camp life, "roughed it" on their third night under canvas, and very many were com- pelled to leave their tents and seek a habitation elsewhere than on the damp and for the time dismal common. Vivid flashes of lightning at times heralded loud peals of thunder, and never since the voluntaers have held their meetings on Wimbledon Common has there been such a storm. On Tuesday afternoon tho tents were decorated with stockings, shirts, drawers, coats, trousers, shakos, every article of clothing, in fact, that a man and a oldier wears were drying in the wind and sun. The soldiers described the downpour as an extraordinary event in their experience, and as they were not allowed to leave the camp, most of them were walking about the whole night. Many of the volunteers skedaddled to Putney or Wimbledon, or went up to t,.)tvn i but none of them left till they were wet to the skin. The camp of the London Scottish fared better than the others. They had purchased a quantity of tents which had been con- demned by the War Office, and were consequently sold at a very low price. But they were found by the experience of that terrible night to be more tho- roughly waterproof than any other tents on the ground. The floors of these tents were covered with wood, so that the Scottish gentlemen were unusually lucky. Another point in their favour also, was tlia. they had pitched their tents on the slope of a hil' and the water ran off as quickly as it fell. In the camp adjoining the Guards, the occupants of the tents have christened their canvas homes by various names, "Heh as Earwig Palace," Sweet 17," and Pork-pie Villa During the afternoon a band of one or other of the re-imeits in camp plays beneath the umbrella tent. On Tuesday the weather was brilliant, and by mid-day the ground was perfectly dry. Among local prize takers, we find Sergeant Walmesley, 6th Denbigh, second for St. George's Vase (19 points at Colour-Sergeant Hall, 14th Shropshire, X5; Private Woolley, 6th Cheshire, ifrst for the Alexandra Cup (- £ 20). For the Duke of Cambridge's priz-s at 200 yards, Corporal Wyatt, 13th Salop, stood first on Thursday evening with 107 points.

Harry C asper, the well known oarsman, died sud- denly on Tuesday morning at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The late Mr Stephen Blair, of Mill-hill House, Bclton, fermerly member for that borough, and provincial grand master of the order of Freemasons of the province of East Lancashire, has bequeathed the princely sum of X20,000 to build and furnish a hospital for sick persons of any domicile, on condi- tion that a site within the area of the Bolton union be provided within a period of three years. OPESIM OP THE THAMES EMBANKMENT.— The Victoria Embankment, extending from West- minster to Blackfriars, was opened on Wednesday by the Prince of Wales and Princess Louise, m the absence, from indisposition, of the Queen. The weather was cloudy, but on the whole fine, thouoil slight showersfeWduring the ceremony. A pavilion erected on both sides of the embankment wast of Hungerford Bridge, was occupied by a distingui-hed company numbering some 5000, and including Mrs and Miss Gladstone, the Home Secretary, the Nawab Nazim of Bengal, and many members of Parliament. The pavilion was of scarlet cloth, de- corated with banners and flags. At a quarter to twelve the Prince and Princess left Marlborough House, and by way of Westminster drove along the embankment, preceded by Sir John Thwaites. chairman and members of the Metropolitan Board of Works. At the pavilion an address was pre- sented to the Prince, who briefly replied. On the the return to Westminster at a quarter to one, the Pr:nce declared the embankment open, and a royal salute was fired.

THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN STAFFORDSHIRE. I NINETEEN DEATHS. I The explosion of gas at one of Messrs Stanier and Co's coal pits at Silverdale, near Newcastle, Stafford- shire, which we briefly chronicled last week, caused the deaths of 19 men and boys, and destroyed an immense amount of property. The pit is 300 yards deepr and nearly 200 hands are employed it it. On Thursday, between 80 and 90 hands went to woric at five o'clock in the morning. Between one and two o'clock in the afternoon the men in the seven- foot and ten-foot workings heard a loud and signifi- cant noise, which induced them to rush to the shaft and signal to be drawn up. The men in the eight- foot dip were less fortunate. The explosion took place near them, smashing up the roadways and making sad havoc. Some of the men were killed by the burning gas others were blown against the sides of the roadways and terribly mutilau d while a few were suffocated. As soon as it was safe to descend the shaft, searchers went down to explore the eight-foot working. Four mm—George Wain- wriuht and Thomas Poole, butties, and George Matthews an I George Eardley. co aei\-—were ie- cjvered during the iifternoon. The two first were dead, and the third died an hour afterwards. Eardley, after receiving attention from a medical man, wa* soi,n able to walk home. The search was continued with great activity, and during the night; twelve more dead bodies were foiitid. The Govern- ment Inspector of Mines (Mr Wynne) commenced his investigation of the affair oil Fr.(iiiy morning. In addition to the three above named, the following nra names of the !{Îll. d Thorn is Wain wrigbt* Edward Lockat, Thomas Jones, Charles W:l-lvuv, Geor-o -Nl,)tterim, James Siatnr, Elisha Lovatt, Joseph Bayl^y, Richard T mkinson, George Dob- son, all single; William Baajguley, Jam^s Wigstaff, G orge Moss, and George Liloore, married; jiisl John Dean, widower: the last six all leaving c-iiltlr,n. Some of the b (dies were so disfigured as to be identified with difficulty. Pipes and tobacco were found in the posse.ion of some of the dead men. The men worked with lumps, as gas was known to be in the pit, although not in sufficient quantity to exc:te apprehension in the face of the precautions always taken by the managers. The inquest was opened at noon on Friday, and ad- journed. Oti Friday evening, the four other men who were smothe:ed in the colliery were f iun(l, an f late at night were brought up to the pit bank. They were John George Dobson, aged 22; Elisha Lovatt, aged 18; George Dobson. aged IS; and Joseph Bailey, aged 17, all single. Tt.-is makes the total number of dead bodies recovered nineteen. The coroner's inquiry was resumed on Saturday, when all the bodies were identified. Witu. sses gave evidence that before the men commenced their labours on Thursday moin nir the butties went and examined the workings. Powder was sometimes used in the pit, but they could not say whether any was used on Thursday. Dobson, on being brought to the bank, was found to be horribly disfigured. Wash- ington had been bl,)wn down the dip to a great distance and frightfully mangled. Several of the other men previously brought up were horribly mutilated. The inquest was adjourned.

FEARFUL RAILWAY COLLISION NEAR CARLISLE. About one o clock on bundav morning a terrible accident happened to the midnight mail, from Scot- land to the South. After the train had proceeded 400 yards from Carlisle Station a North Eastern goods train ran into it with a fearful crash the re- sult was that five passengers were killed and twenty two or three more or less seriously injured. Seven carriages of the passenger train were more or less smashed, and a third-class carriage completely de- stroyed. The scene which followed was of the most heartrending character. Five dead bodies were taken from the debris, and the injured were taken to the County Hotel. The train which ran into the midnight mail was a North Eastern goods of 2S waggons, on which there was a stoker but no driver. The goods train was travelling from the west to the east, and the mail from the north to the south. The goods was running at 15 miles an hour. The mail, which was one minute late, left Carlisle at forty-eight minutes past twelve, and was going at ten miles an. hour. The goods train was signalled t.) stop, and the mail train was signalled all clear. Mr Browa and Mr Page, Carlisle surgeons, attended to the sufferers. The following is a list of the killed and wounded :-Killed: Mr Lynch, Roman Catholic In- spector of Schools, Glasgow; a boy, son of Mr Little Trevor-square, London: Patrick Watt, commercial traveller, Paisley; two ladies who were with Mr Watt, and supposed to be relatives of his. Injured Miss Johnston, Glasgow, fractured leg; Mr Cross, Bonner's-road, London, considerable injury to ankle; Mr Marshall, pupil of an engineer of Birmingham, scalp wound; Mrs Lynch, wife of Mr Lynch, who ia killed, jaw broken, teeth knockei out, and severely shaken (with her was a son, eight years of age, who is not much worse, and a German maid, who is a great deal bruised); Mr Logard, merchant, Glas- gow, leg injured; Mr Easton, tailor, Wolverhampton, bruised Mrs Sutherland and two children, address not ascertained, not much the worse Mrs Oakley, Caledonian-road, Glasgow, and two children, all shaken, and faces much scratched Thomas Martin- dale, Starnton, near Carlisle, bruised in the back; Mr Hancock, Birmingham, bruised about the head, and concussion of brain; Mr Baxter, Glasgow, hiuised; Mr Mitchelson, Glasgow, sides injured; Mr White, bricklayer, Birmingham, scalp wonnil and side hurt. Mr Little, Trevor-square, London, father of tli9 boy who was killed, had been travel- ling in a third c ass carriage with which the goods train came in collision and which was situated in the centre of the train; this carriage was hurled against a massive block of masonry constructed at the end of a siding to the east of the main line, and was smashed to a thousand pieces, the only large piece after the collision being the roof, which having been jerked off the carriage, had fallen upon the buttress. It was under this that Watt and the two ladies were found huddled. Several volunteers were ,on the way to Wimbledon, in the mail train, but were uninjured. An inquest on the five persons killed, was opened on Monday, by Mr Carrick, the district coroner. The North-Eastern Company was represented by Captiin O'Brien, Mr Hart ey. and Mr Bell direc- tors and Mr Richardson, solicitor, York; the North Western Company were reyivseiite 1 by Mr Adcock, London and the Station Committee by Messrs. Saul. Carlisle. After the jury had been sworn, they examine I the bodies of the five deceased, which were laid out in a waiting room of the general station. Thqy lay on t.vo tables. On the first was the body of Mr Lynch, inspector of schools fan elderly gentle- man, with greyish hair and moustache), and with- out any visible indication of serious outward injury. Next to him was the son of Mr Little, London, with his face much bruised. On a side table were Mi-s Watt, Glasgow, Mr Watt, IIT brother, and a young woman still unidentified, but on whose per- son was fonnd XSO in Bank of Bngland notes and three gold rings. Mr Watt, of Arthur and Co., Glasgow, identified the bodies of his brother and sister. The R v. Mr Curry, Carlisle, identified the bidy of Mr Lynch. The jury proceed to inspect the sig lals, which were explained by Capt. O'Brien, Mr Niell, and others, and examined by the city sur- veyors. On returning the coroner adjourned the inquest till Tuesday week. The whole of the patients are improving. FURTHER RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. Oil Saturday morning, a tatal accident occurred on the and Scarborough line. The station master at Birton Hill, whose name is Hudson, from some cause became confused as the passenger train from Scarborough, due at Barton Hill at 10 36, and a lug- gage train from York were passing at the same time. The result was that Hadson was knocked down by the engine of the latter train, being killed upon the spot, and literally mangled to pieces. On Tuesday afternoon, at Crewe Station, as a stoker named Robert Heginbotham was stepping from beneath his engine, where he had been un- coupling it from some waggons, he was caught by an engine passing on the next l ne of rails and run over, the wheels taking the top of the skull com- pletely off. Another railway disaster occurre d on Wednesday forenoon. As the mail passenger train from Man- chester was approaching Rochdale, some coal truek3 were being taken across the main line, and the re- sult was a collision of a very violent kind. Though several of the carriages of the mail train were wrecked, and the engine was thrown off the line and overturned, fortunately no lives were lost. Several passengers are, however, reported to be injured, two of them rather seriously.