The Sun. — London, England, 1866-10-26 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence. The iCommissioner appointed for the investiga tion of the transport service of the army paid their second visit at Woolwich Arsenal yesterday morn ing, and went over the reserve storehouses and other portions of the military store department which they were unable to inspect during their former visit to the arsenal. The members of the committee present yesterday were as follows :--Lieut.-Gen. Sir Duncan A. Cameron, K.C.8., late 42d Foot ; Major-Gen. J. St. George, C. 8., R.A., Director of Ordnance ; Col. J.C. Kennedy, C. 8., Commandant Military Train ; C o mmissary-Gen.-in - Chief, Sir W. J. Tyrone Power, K.C.B. ; Col. Shadwell, Military Assistant at the War-office ; and Assist.-Commis sary-Gen. Henry Robinson, C.B. They were re ceived officially by Capt. Gordon, C. 8., principal superintendent of stores, by whom they were ac companied throughout their investigation. One of he main objects of their visit appears to have been to carry out the project, sometime under considera tion, of consolidating in one department, under the superintendence of Capt. Gordon, the entire charge of the whole of the Government stores. It has been rumoured for some time past time that in con sequence of the heavy duties in the shipping depart ment of Woolwich Arsenal, the post of Naval Superintendent of Shipping will be again restored, and be administered by a master in the Royal Navy, as during the Crimean war. It was yesterday an nounced that the rumour was well founded, and that the appointment will be made shortly. The War Department, in recognition of the long services and acknowledged capacities of Mr. Moors,who has superintended the whole of the shipping since the above-uamed period, have ordered his salary to be augmented £lO per annum, and have conferred upon him the title of Naval Assistant-Superintendent of Shipping. The armament intended for the hydraulic iron-cased gunvessel Waterwitch, now in basin at Woolwich, is in readiness for shipment, consisting of two 7-inch and four 20 pounder guns, similar to those of the Vixen and Viper. Her Majesty's &rew troopship Orontes, Capt. H. W. Hire, arrived at Quebec on the 2d inst., after a stormy passage, and having been compelled to put into St. John's, Newfoundland, to coal. The Orontes had conveyed the 61st Regiment to Quebec, and the regiment was duly landed with women and children, horses, baggage, &c., when an order was sent on board to receive the regiment again and convey it to Bermuda, the disembarkation at Quebec having been a mistake. The Orontes was to sail with them again on the 13th, calling in at Sydney, Cape Bre ton, to meet her Majesty's screw troopship Tamar, and transfer to her the invalided and time-expired soldiers then on board for conveyance to England. On arrival at Bermuda the Orontes would disem bark the 61st and then embark the 2d (Queen's) for England. The Tamar may be expected to arrive at Spithead about Nov. 2d, and the Orontes about the 25th. Additional letters received yesterday by a Chat ham correspondent bring down the particulars re specting the cruise of the various vessels composing the Channel squadron to the close of last week. The correspondence relates chiefly to the experiments made and the records kept of the rolling of the seve ral ships in a beam sea, not the least important of the many questions arising in reference to the effici ency of ironclad frigates carrying the whole of their armaments on the main deck. 'I he record of their rolling in a rather heavy sea on Sunday, the 14th inst., is represented to be a fair average indication of their behaviour under such circumstances, and is as follows :—Achilles, 2 deg.; Bellerophon, 5 deg.; Pal las, 9 deg.; Ocean, 10 deg.; Lord Clyde, 12 deg. ; Hector, 10 to 12 deg.; and Caledonia, 15 deg. On the night of Thursday, the 18th inst., it, blew a strong gale, raising a heavily rolling, pitching sea, which the ships of the squadron felt severely. On this oc casion the Caledonia lurched as much as 35 deg., the Pallas to 32 deg., Lord Clyde to 27 deg., the Ocean to 26 deg., and the hector to 20 deg., the extreme roll of the Achilles not exceeding 16 deg., while that of the Bellerophon was no more than 10 deg., such is the extraordinary steadiness of these two vessels. It is believed on board the Bellerophon that even the present extreme steadiness of that frigate will be improved upon as soon as the pig-iron ballast now encumbering her leeks is replaced by the ship's guns, inasmuch as this change will raise her centre of gravity to a higher position. The cruise of the Channel squadron has brought out the remarkable fact that ironclad frigates are improved in their be haviour at sea in exact proportion as the weights composing, or on board of them, are lifted higher— a theory the very opposite of what was popularly supposed to be the case. The Achilles and the Bellerophon are the only two vessels having their weights placed unusually high —the tower on the Bellerophon's upper deck, constructed of 8-inch armour-plates, and carried to a height of 10 feet, weighing about 100 tons—and experience has demon strated that they are undoubtedly by far the steadiest ships in the squadron. The trials of the various vessels under sail, in order to arrive at comparative results as to their respective merits, were continued throughout last week, the Hector, en these occtbsions., doing remarkably well, and taking a good place among the fastest ships of the squadron—viz., the Pallas, Bellerophon, and Achilles. It is, perhaps, undesirable to publish the figuresreceived from parti cular ships, inasmuch as the only available means of observing at sea the progress made by each vessel of a squadron, in a triai extending over some days, is not sufficiently exact to avoid what might appear consi derable discrepancies in the reported results. It is, how ever, confidently asserted that the difficulty at first experienced in tacking the Bellerophon on one or two occasions has been greatly diminished as the pecu liarities of the balanced rudder have become better understood. As the different proportions of sail power possessed by the respective vessels composi ng the Channel squadron have been much discussed, with the apparent object of underrating the superio rity of certain ships, we subjoin the particulars (within a few feet in each case), together with the several midship sections, as they are usually taken as the standards of comparison, although it should be observed that very short ships—like the Pallas, for instance—cannot possibly have such fine water lines as the long vessels :—The area of sail in square feet is in each ship as follows :—Achilles, 33,000 ; Bellerophon, 23,800 ; Lord Clyde, 23,000 ; Ocean, 22,900 ; Caledonia, 22,200 ; Hector, 21,400; Pallas, 16,700; Wivern, 11,300; and Research, 11,200. The area of the midship section in square feet is in each ship as follows :—Achilles, 1,307 ; Bellerophon, 1,190 ; Lord Clyde, 1,250 ; Ocean, 1,165 ; Cale donia, 1,120 ; Hector, 1,180 ; Pallas, 800 ; Wivern, 600 ; and Research, 450. The above areas of can vas include courses, topsails, topgallant sails, jib, and driver, but do not include royals, flying jib, and ' t udding sails. The Reindeer, 7, 200-horse power, sloop corvette, having been completed by the dockyard hands, was undocked at Chatham and placed at mooring along side the dockyard The wliole of her guns arrived yesterday at the Ordnance establishment from the Royal gun factory, Woolwich, and she will be sup plied with her armament e forthwith. The Terrible, paddle corvette, Cant V.C., steamed into Portsmouth • Commerell, th harbour yesterday for repairs and refit, Th e intermediateh entablature of her port engine is fractured, paddlewheels and boxes require repair, and this, together with re pairs to hull and rig, may altogether occupy some cons iderable space of time to mak e good The Pylades, 21, screw, 350-horse po wer, Capt. Arthur W. A. Hood, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from the North American and West Indian station. She brought home a few invalids, who were landed from th e 3ledway to dismantle and p ay out of commission. Capt. Hood has been appointed to the command of the gunnery ship Excellent, and the governorship of the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, vice Captain Astley C. Key, C. 8., now acting Director-general of Naval Ordnance. The Lily, 4, screw gunvessel, 200-horse power, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from the North American and IVest Indian Station. She re ceived orders yesterday evening to proceed round to Woolwich to be dismantled and paid out of com mission. DEATH BY DROWNING AT OXFORD. The inquest on the body of Mr. J. IL Brady y, Scholar of New College, whose death by drowning was noticed in our last impression, was held yesterday afternoon, be-- fore G. V. Coxe, M.A., University, Coroner, and amatricu lated jury of tradesmen and members of the University. The untimely fate of Mr. Bradley had created great interest throughout the University and city of Oxford, and the head of his college (the Rev. Dr. Sewell) attended to watch the case, and rendered the coroner valuable assistance dnr- ing the inquiry. The inquisition was held at the Boat house Tavern, St. Aldate's, where the body was lying. The jury, of whom the Rev. E. C. Wickham, M.A., Sub-War den, of New College, was foreman, having proceeded to view the body, the following evidence was adduced : ~.. Charles N. Bolton, Commoner of New College, said—A scratch race had been prepared, and the crew of the boat in which the deceased was consisted of myself, Bradley, Browne, Seymour, and Routh (steering.) They had the middle station in the river, and had got near Saunders'- bridge on the way up, when the boat which had the Ox fordshire side crossed just before the accident took place, causing a great deal of wash. Browne, who was at the bow, caught a crab, which upset the boat. All the crew were thrown into the water on the Oxford side of the river. Routh swam to the Oxfordshire shore. The rest clung to the boat, which had turned bottom upwards. Seymour, who was close to me, said, " Had'nt I better go to one of them, they can't swim ?" Both Browne and Bradley were then holding on, and a punt was coming. Then Browne and Bradley both tried to get on the boat, but finding it turning over I left it so that the others might be supported on it, and to avoid the danserof being caught by it if it turned over. Both being at the bow end it was made to turn over again, bottom upwards, and from that time I saw no more of Bradley, both he and Browne being thrown off on the other side of the boat which was then be tween me and them with the iron rowlocks, projecting under the water, which made it dangerous to dive underneath, mad thereby prevented me from rendering assistance. Bradley had been in the habit of rowing for a quarter of a year, and Browne had also rowed before. The witness, in answer to jurymen, said there was no fouling, and that the crossing of the first boat was in order. He also explained, in reference to the report which ap peared in the papers, and which implied deceased had been neglected, that he was under the impression he could swim, and he knew Browne could not. John M. Routh, Commoner of New College, said, —I was steering the boat nearly opposite Saunders'-bridge when the bow oar caught a crab, and almost immediately the boat upset on the Oxfordshire side of the river. I fell into the water, and on coming up saw the other four who had been in the boat with me clinging to it. I immediately swam across to the Oxfordshire side ; the boat was about 15 yards from the Berkshire side. When I reached the shore I saw a punt assisting to pull two men out of the water. Bradley was pulling No. 2. I had noticed that Bradley was looking exhausted. Before starting the question was asked whe ther the men could swim. Mr. Bradley led me to believe, from what ho said, that he could not swim. Mr. Browne rowed as if ho had rowed before. I knew that he could not swim. The crew had not rowed together before. It was in the afternoon, between 2 and 3, as far as I recollect. Reginald Digby, Commoner . of ;New College, said—l was on the bank running up about five yards in front of the boat. Hearing a shout behind me, I saw that the boat had been upset. I saw all the crew in the water on the opposite side of the boat, four out of the five clinging to it, and the other swimming for opposite side. I saw one (Bradley, I think, but I am not sure), getting astride the bow of the boat, which was keel upwards. Then the boat turned over, and I lost sight of Bradley. My attention was then attracted to Browne, who was clinging to the boat, and shouted out that he could not swim. Two or three punts came to as sist, and 1 saw Browne pulled into one of them. I did not know for some time that Bradley had not been saved. On hearing Browne cry that he could not swim, three or four persons from the bank plunged into the river to go to his assistance. Mr. Cripps reached Brown; who was then clinging to the boat. The Rev. W. F. Short, M.A., Fellow, Tutor, and Bursar of New College, said—l had started the race, and was within a few yards of the boat, skulling myself on the Oxfordshire side. I saw the boat upset, but did not see the cause. I saw the crew cling to the boat, and Mr. Bradley got astride. I heard some one say, and to the best of my belief it was Mr. Bradley, " I'm all right," or words to that effect. After that the boat Wined over, and I can add nothing to what has been stated by the former witnesses as to what followed. I think it probable the boat may have struck Mr. Bradley as it turned over. Mr. Short was recalled, and added the following evidence to that he had already givan : I heard Browne ci y out that he could not swim. I pushed the boat towards the boat that was upset, but punts were coming up, and I rowed to the shore. It was asked whe ther the crew were all safe, and it being said that Bradley was missing, I stripped, and from a punt dived at the spot where the boat was upset. Three or four other persons had al ready plunged into the water and were diving. Their names were the two Messrs. Forster, of New College, and I believe Mr. Allen, of New College, and Mr. Willan, president of the Boat Club. I found it impossible to see an inch in the water owing to the thickness of it. I must have been very near the body, though I could not discover it. I believe the accident happened just before 2 o'clock. Their efforts were continued for some time. Previous to these attempts to find Mr. Bradley several persons went into the water to render assistance. Francis Robert Steele Bowen, scholar of New College, rtted—l was on the banks of the river yesterday afternoon running up in advance of the boat that was upset. Hearing a shout I looked round and saw the boat turned keel up, and the crew in the water. Hearing a cry from some one on the boat, that they could not all swim, I took off my coat and swam almost up to the boat. A sailing vessel coming by had to go back a few yards and get out of the way, and -hen the sailing boat was past I swam to the boat. I saw _ _ Bradley holding to the boat and looking much exhausted. On seeingme he leant over to me, and I caught hold of him by the hair, and I tried to swim with him to the shore, but found, after a few yards, that I could not proceed. Finding I could not keep his head out of the water I let go bis hair and took hold of him under the arm. He was at that time quite like a log. I tried in different ways to keep hishead above water, until I was unable to do so any longer, and got to the shore as well as I could. The boat, I think, was nearly in the middle of the river. William Allin Thompson, surgeon, said—l was sent for about 3 o'clock yesterday to get° Saunders'-bridge, where an accident had happened. On my arrival the deceased had not been found. I waited about 20 minutes, and then he was brought to the shore. I had him removed as quickly as possible to the Boat-house Tavern, when Mr. Mayo as sisted me. We employed the usual means to restore suspended animation without the slightest effect for nearly an hour. A juryman observed that it seemed strange no assistance had been rendered Mr. Bowen. The Coroner said that if he had been helped the deceased would have been saved. Mr. Bowen deserved the highest praise for his bravery. Nicholas Parker Gipp, commoner of New College, said— I was on the shore when the accident happened. I called out to know who could not swim. I only heard Browne say that he could not. I went into the water to assist him and took hold of him. I was, somehow or other, obliged to let him go, and was forced under water. On coming up I got into a punt close by. Hearing that some one was missing I called out to some one on the bank to go for the drags. I landed from the punt, and finding the drags had not come I went off with Kemble to the green barge, where I thought the drags were. A small boat took us across to the barge. There we foundAwdry, of New Col -1 lege, on the top of a barge trying to get in. There was some one at this Cate who had managed to get in, and who gave the drags out to Awdry, and Awdrygave them to us. We rowed with them to the shore, and the (hags were carried to the spot where the accident had taken place. There did not appear to be any one in charge of the drags. I did not see any life-buoys along the river. Charles Awdry, commoner, of New College, being sworn said —Hearing a cry for the drags I ran to the nearest post, and got to Harvey's barge (the green barge) by a punt which was moored opposite to the barge. By the time I reached it an Exeter man had already got on the barge and suc ceeded in getting inside by a window, the doorbeing locked. He handed the drags and some life-buoys out to me. Charles Mayo, Fellow of New College, said—The Cathe dral clock struck 2, and within two minutes I heard shout ing continued fot some time. I walked down quickly to Salter's barge, and jumped into a punt with a man who had just come for the drags. The accident must have hap pened about seven minutes after 2. I helped to drag for some time. The body was got out about 12 minutes to 3. Thomas Sims said—l am waterman to the University Boat Club. I was on the barge in the afternoon, and saw a four-oar upset, but seeing many people on the banks, and a sailing boat close by, I did not go down till, about 10 minutes after, I heard there was a gentleman drowned. I took the punt and some one from the bank threw me a drag, and I began to use it. After dragging some time (uot less than 20 minutes) I caught the body, lifted it, and brought it ashore. Several other punts were dragging at I►e same time. sit l y V . ill l i v ai i n th lla t r w v o ey a sa ss n id—l t s a m I whaveaterbail if charge t o o f t t e h U e n h i a v r e a r e - Humane Society is kept. I was on duty yesterday belonging to the Uniuversity in which the apparatiis cf the aft,er_ noon on the banks of the river. The general beat I take is from th e b arge t o th e L ong B r id ges ; one assistant is between th e L ong B r id ges and Iffley , the other is up the Cherwell. It is my duty to see that drags and life-buoys are every day placed at the posts along the river. I placed both drags and buoys at the usual place yesterday morning. There was a drag and a life-buoy at the usual post about ten yards fromthespos andtNvherethe accident happened. The Cor oner said it was strange that so many people had overlooked the drag buoys on the towing-path, but from the respectable character of Harvey ho must believe his assertion. Dr. Sewell referred to the singular circumstance that so little assistance had been given to Mr. Bradley. The jury accounted for it by supposing it was Mr. Br owne who ap peared most in danger. The Coroner hai ing briefly addiessed the jury, thelatter returned their verdict in a few minutes as follows :—"That Mr. Bradley was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a boat." The Coroner thanked the jury for the attention they had bestowed on the case. He had sent in his resig nation of the office he held as coroner, and he thought it was accepted. He had a strong desire to be relieved of it, owing to defective sight and hearing. At the express wish of the Vice-Chancellor, however, he had presided on that occasion. It was four years since an inquest had been held on a similar case—viz., that on the body of Mr. Luke. This long interval proved that better precautions were taken now than in former times, when accidents on the river were so numerous. The men now seemed to be better prepared as swimmers, and the boats, although slight, were not so dangerous as they had beon. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 26, 1866. of the sewers, which even its warmest advocates doubted would pay. The question then arose shall we continue this waste of time, health, and money ? He then proceeded to point out the advantages of the earth-closet system, by the use of which human excreta became absorbed, and in place of being a nuisance became a valuable fertilising manure. If removed and attended to twice or thrice a week it be came easy, convenient, and perfectly practical. He then detailed his plan for the adoption of the system in London. He proposed to divided the metropolis into 200 sections, And fit each house with earth closets. The necessary at tention to these, he estimated, would require 10 carts, 20 men, and 20 horses to each section from six to nine o'clock each day. Each van would be fitted with 200 buckets and the necessary earth. The estimated value of the produce of each closet was 14s. per annum, and the result would be a profit of 30s. to £4 per annum to each house. Mr. Hawks ley went lnto a variety of detailedstatistics, and was speak ing when the report left. IRELAND. DUBLIN, Tuesday Morning. Mr. Mulholland has announced his intention of not contesting the representation of Belfast. There is a Conservative already in the field ; no principle is at stake ; such a contest would rest on personal grounds only, and lead to disunions and divisions. These are the reasons that have induced Mr. Mul holland to turn a deaf ear to the call of a section of the Conservative party, which it is said, from his ex treme views, do not wish that Mr. Lanyon should be returned. The supporters of the latter gentleman, however, appear resolved that he shall triumph over all opponents that may enter the lists against him, for they are holding meetings every evening, and carrying on an active canvass. A deputation waited upon him yesterday, to ascertain his views on several subjects, when a little "sparring" took place. Mr. Lanyon, when asked what course he would pursue in reference to some question of local importanee, said he required some time for conside ration before giving any reply, which caused a Mr. Trimble—an admirer, probably, of Mr. Mulholland —to tell him it was rather S9Oll to be returning " Parliamentary answers." Another elector stated that his political principles might not altogether be the same as Mr. Lanyon's, and he would. like to know would Mr. Lanyon support a just measure of Reform ? Mr. Lanyon replied that he would support such a measure as the Opposition of last year would have supported. Mr. Lanyon (the ques tioning being over) rose from his seat, and coming round to Mr. Trimble, proffered his hand, which Mr. Trimble accepted, remarking that " this was before an election, and that he quite understood it." Two young men, who formed part of a mob that attacked the military at Tipperary, have been found guilty of that offence at the quarter sessions, and one of them sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour ; the other got four months and hard labour. It is stated that the Lord Lieutenant has ordered an investigation on oath to be made into all the circumstances connected with the recent attempt of a convict to escape from the Mountjoy Prison. The utmost reticence is observed with respect to this mysterious and extraordinary affair, but, from hints which have reached me, I have reason to believe that the escape of the convict in question was only a minor object, and that the investigation will bring to light a most nefarious conspiracy inspired by per sonal malice against an official of the gaol, who had become obnoxious to some of his colleagues in con sequence of having exposed in the public press many instances of favouritism and mismanagement. The Freeman is, of course, bitterly opposed to the Established Church, and, apropos of the vacancy in the see of Tuam, it makes some remarks that are not in very good taste. " Lord Derby," it says, " will no doubt prove his desire to govern Ireland in a catholic spirit by selecting some nominee of the Ulster lodges for the bishopric of Tuam—unless, in deed, he should hand over the appointment to Mr. Waldron. Mr. Waldron says that Lord Derby is the Wellington' who alone can remove the Irish Church anomaly. Let him begin by advising her Majesty to make no appointment to Tuam until Parliament meets The country is not so peaceable, nor is Fenianism so entirely quelled, as to warrant the offensive experi ment of sending another mitred champion of the Low Church into the controversial field. The fire already kindled may be well left for a little time without an immediate supply of episcopal fuel." The Premier will experience no small embarrassment in choosing a successor to Lord Plunket, arising, how ever, rather from an enzbarras de riehesses than from any paucity of able and well-qualified divines from among whom to make his selection. As usual.in all such cases, the names of several clergymen are men tioned as likely or worthy to wear the vacant mitre, whose claims to the notice of the dispensers of eccle siastical patronage are earnestly and zealously pro claimed by their respective friends. Among the most prominent is the Rev. Dr. Todd, S.F.T.C.D., author of "The Life of St. Patrick," whose great learning, acknowledged excellence as a preacher, amiable character, and administrative talents, highly deve loped in the management of the affairs of the college, constitute powerful recommendations. But there is a very general feeling that as the last four vacant seats on the Irish episcopal bench were filled by the appointment of non-parochial clergymen._ two of whom were fellows of college and two mini sters of free churches—the working parochial clergy should now hate their turn. Of this class the Hon. and Rev. Charles Bernard, rector of Bandon, is highly spoken of. This gentleman was formerly mentioned in connection with the bishopric of Meath, and is said to be a great favourite with the clergy, while he is equally esteemed by the laity for his zealous performance of his duties as a parish minister. The Dean of Ferns (Dr. Atkins) ; Arch deacon Martin, of Kilieshandra ; the Rev. Alex. Ir win, precentor of Armagh ; and the son of the late bishop, the Hon. and Rev. Wm. Conyngham Plun ket, are also put forward. Another able and talented dignitary of the Irish Church (Dr. Alexander, dean of Emly) has been much spoken of ; but the fact that he was one of Mr. Gladstone's most energetic supporters at the last Oxford election will probably, when there is such an array of unswerving and con sistent supporters of Lord Derby's policy to choose from, deprive him of any chance that his station in the Church and his acknowledged abilities would have given him. The commission for the county and city of Dub lin will be opened to-morrow. The calendar is rather heavy, comprising 34 cases, for which 47 pri soners are to be put on trial. The most important case is that of William Kearney, who is indicted on his own confession (afterwards retracted) for the murder of George Clarke, on the Royal Canal, some months ago, during the height of the Fenian agitation, and which arose out of that senseless treason, the murdered man having been sus pected by the brotherhood of having given information which led to one of the numerous seizures of arms which then took place, and the arrest of some of the conspirators. There is also one of shooting with intent to murder, one of man slaughter, four of passing base coin—the persons charged with which are members of a Manehester gang of coiners. The Bishop of Meath met with a serious acci lent, on his arrival at the palace, Ardbraccau, a few days ago, from the effects of which he is still suffering severely. The gas had been allowed to escape in one of the rooms, and his grace having entered the apartment with a lighted candle, an explosion took place. He sustained a violent shock, but providen tially escaped any serious injury. At a lottery for a Roman Catholic charity, which was held here last summer, one of the prizes was the fee-simple of a handsome cottage, picturesquely si tuated near Dalkey. This tempting prize fell to the lot of a man in rather humble life, employed, I believe, at the railway works in Holyhead, who ac cepted in lieu of it the sum of £l6O, from the owner, the Rev. Mr. Nolan, C.C., in whose posses sion the cottage still remains. Mr. Nolan claimed to vote out of it, and his claim was objected to by the Conservatives at the revision which has just ter minated, on the ground that, when the ticket was won, the premises passed out of his possession, that the giving of the pecuniary equivalent constituted a repurchase of them, and that he had not been long enough in possession of them after that repurchase to entitle him to a vote out of them. On the other side it was contended that, as lotteries are illegal, the whole transaction was a nullity, and therefore it The Condition of Hop Pickers. Yesterday a large and influential meeting was held at the Town-hall, Maidstone, with the viow of forming an association for securing employment and improved dwell ings for hop-pickors in Kent. The Earl of Romsey pre sided, supported by Admiral Jones Marsham, General Fletcher, Earl Darnley, C. Wy*eham, Esq., M.P., the Mayor of Maidstone (Mr. Alderman Lawrence), &c. Letters of apology, containing also expressions of the warmest ap proval of the objects of the meeting, were read from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Abergavenny, the Earl of Stanhope, J. Whatman, Esq., M.P., J. G. Talbot, Esq., Mr. Cutbush, and other gentlemen. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the meeting, said that there was no doubt, for some little time before the actual picking commenced, a number of those people whom the society about to be formed wished to benefit were to be seen wan dering about the neighbourhood, begging and getting their living as best they could ; and other gentlemen would state what course was contemplated with regard to remedy ing that evil. Another evil was that in a large number of places no sufficient means were afforded for properly hous ing the hop-pickers. Under all the circumstances it was extraordinary that the pickers behaved so well as they did. It was thought possible to improve their moral and social position ; but, in his opinion, it would be unwise to at tempt to get the law altered to meet the case in the way of refractory legislation. But it was possible that the society might act upon the landowners to induce them to provide means for the accommodation of the pickers. Then, it was thought that something of the kind of a register office might be established, especially in London, with agencies at Chatham, Gravesend, Sheernes 3, and other large towns, and it was thought that the members of the association would use that means for negotiating between the planters and persons intending to come to the picking. The Rev. J. Y. STRATTON gave au outline of the nature of the employment, the number that came down, and the scheme which the provisional committee proposed to the meeting to carry out. A report of the condition of the hoppers had been published, from which it appeared that one quarter of the dwellings provided for their accommo dation might be termed good, and while one half was only indifferent, one fourth was positively very bad. They of course did not intend to interfere with the private rights of the planters or landowners, but to form the nucleus whence might spring suggestions upon which they might individually act, and so obtain a better class of hop pers. He believed that there was a great lack of informa tion on the subject generally, but he had been told the number that came down every year was nearly 100,000, but this, he thought, was an exaggeration. He had learnt from the South-Eastern Railway Company that in 1864 upwards of 11,000 were brought into the hop district ; in 1865 upwards of 10,000, and in the present year upwards of 12,000, and there was an excess of 2,000 each year in the number who returned, showing that many who came on foot were enabled to pay their fare back to London Besides these, however, there was a vastly-increasing number who came by the London, Chatham, and Dover line. There was also a large number of wanderers who left their homes and came down "on tramp " and there must be several thousands of those persons ; he could not say how many, neither could any one else, but they must be counted by thousands. In 1861, the date of' the last returns of the excice duties, there were 18,000 acres under cultivation in what was called the Rochester division, which was not inclusive of a part of Yalding, which was in the Canterbury division. The whole numbert of acres under cultivation at that time wa s abon 46,300. He understood that the acreage had increased to about 52,000 ; and if the acreage had increased in the same proportion in the Rochester division it would amount to about 20,000, which, calculating four pickers to each acre, made about 80,000 ; of these they might safely put down 20,000 as immigrant pickers, and the rest as resi dent in the neighbourhood. Now it was to organise a sys tem of registry agency, whereby the time of intending pickers might not be wasted by leaving their homes for days and sometimes weeks before they were wanted, and to enable them to be speedily conveyed to their homes again, that an association was proposed. He had great pleasure in moving a resolution to that effect, which he now read. (Hear.) In reply to a question from Mr. Hodsoll, of Loose Court, Mr. STRATTON explained that as the question of improved dwellings was after all a matter between the landlord and tenant they did not propose to bind the subscribers to any particular course, but to assist as far as possible in arranging the details of the accommodation, the arrival and the de parture of the pickers. The resolution was then seconded and carried unani mously, as were also resolutions appointing the Earl of Romney president of the association, and the following noblemen vice presidents :—The Archbishop of Canter bury, Earl of Abergavenny, Earl Stanhope, Earl Darnley, (Sze. A committee, secretary, and treasurer, were also ap pointed, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Earl of Romney for presiding. Congress on the Sewage of Towns. LEAMINGTON, Thursday. The vexed question of " What to do with the sewage of our large towns" was brought under discussion to-day. The local authorities have become involved in a Chancery suit with respect to their sewage water, which is here deodorised by what is termed the "lime process," and then allowed to run into the river Learn about a mile before its confluence with the Avon. This is said by the Court of Chancery to be anuisance to the residents on the banks of the river who na turally object to any imitation of the famous " stinks of Cologne" being brought to their very doors. Whether the congress which this day commenced its sittings is likely to assist in the solution of the difficulty is another matter, as land for irrigation purposes is difficult to obtain, and the practicability of the " dry-earth closet" to large towns is a subject of dispute.' The various plans of deodorisation were freely discussed prior to the opening of the confer ence, and even one advocate of " torrefaction" was found bold enough to enunciate the practicability of his theory, and if this plan of making liquid sewage with the solid refuse of the household at the sewage works and then evaporating the water could be economically effected a great step in advance would be made; If practicable at all Leamington is the place to try it, but at the conference itself the advocates of the dry earth closet mustered strongly with an imposing array of facts, and the irrigation scheme had its friends, who pointed to Croydon and Wor thing with pride. Tho congress assembled at 3 o'clock, under the presidency of Lord Leigh, the Lieutenant of Warwickshire. The interest excited was so great that deputations were sent from Manchester, Macclesfield, and other municipalities in the north of England, and at least 300 gentlemen assembled to listen to the opening address. Lord LEIGH stated in a few brief remarks that at first his opinion was that the sitting of the congress ought to be delayed until after the royal commission had presented their report, but he had received a requisition signed by nearly every person of position and influence in the county and neighbourhood, and he had bowed to their opinion. He bad come there himself to listen, not to make a speech, for ho felt the subject was one of which Messrs. Hawksley, Menzies, and other gentlemen of eminence whom ho saw around him would be able to give a clear exposition. Mr. HawxsLEY, of London, then rose to read the first paper. He stated in the first place that the social birthright of every man was pure air and pure water, but when they considered the number of diverse elements of which they were composed, the question arose, was that purity a day dream or were they to consider their contaminated streams and atmosphere simply a nuisance to be endured? He be lieved otherwise, for he read in an old book, at least 3,000 years old, that earth was a purifier and absorber, and he believed they were not altogether powerless to grapple with the evil. Foul as some of the gases were they con tained the elements of the food of plants and of future bounties of nature, for the natural sequence was from plant to animal, animal to man, and from man to the eat th again. China illustrated forcibly this truth, for though that coun try had been highly cultivated for more than 1,000 years, it had not decreased in fertility, and even now in that gar den land they could gather two crops a year by properly using the excreta and refuse of their bodies and their habi tations. While on looking at their own position there wore abundant signs of weakness and of rottenness. The fester• ing mass, instead of being the fertiliser of the earth, be came the cause of sickness, epidemic; and disease. He illustrated this inductively by a reference to the Broad street pump, the foul Ater of which had caused no less than GOO deaths in a single fortnight. The history of the question was most simple. Up to within the last 50 years people had been content to use open cesspools, which quickly became a nuisance, and the washings from which became intolerable. Half'a century ago a well-meaning in dividual invented water-closets, which wero approved of at once by the public, and quickly became in general use. Thus the unintentional error of one man became the source of their present difficulty; and bade fair to sap the health of the nation. He had invoked a monster which even now overshadowed ten large towns and cast its bane ful and destructive effects over the land. Day by day thousands of tons of animal refuse and human excreta were washed into the sewers, and though they might fondly imagine it was washed away a portion of the gelatinous matter clung round the walls and sides of the drains and became the constant source of disease. He in stanced the baneful effects of opening ono of these closed drains in the neighbourhood of Grosvenor-square, and pointed out that even though the sewage of London was diverted from the Thames it would be fouled by other towns higherup the river. The only sensible thing in the whole was the attempt to utilise it by irrigation at the end should be deemed that Mr. Nolan had never ceased to be the owner of the property. The revising bar rister, on the authority of a decision of Judge Jac kson, took this view of the case, and decided that no sale had taken place, and therefore that Mr. Nolan had never forfeited his right to vote. The Roman Catholic prelates have just held a meeting in this city for " the transaction of im portant business ;" but what its nature was remains a secret. Rumour has it, however, that they as sembled for the discussion of political matters, and this is not at all unlikely. Their lordships, with Cardinal Cullen, were entertained last night by the Lord Mayor at a private banquet. All the Roman Catholic judges, The O'Donoghue, The O'Conor Don, and a large party of the nobility and gentry of that persuasion, were invited to meet them. Our agricultural and botanical readers will pro bably feel interested in a phenomenon which recently presented itself in the ice-house of the L'ord Pri mate's episcopal residence at Armagh. It is vouched for by a correspondent of the Daily Express:— " The ice is always covered with straw, and it would appear that a grain of wheat got dislodged, and germinated, striking a root fully four inches into a solid piece of ice, at the same time sprouting up so as to develope the leaf. The plant and the piece of ice were sent to the Primate, who forwarded them to the Rev. Dr. Robinson. Wheu returned to Mr. Walsh (the gardener), he placed the plant in what he considered more congenial soil, with the hope of cultivating it, but it perished on exposure to the atmosphere, notwithstanding all his skill." SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—A few days ago England might have celebrated, with very good reasons, the eighth cen tenary of an event which may be fairly regarded as the foundation of this realm, and no small part of our making as the British people. The Battle of Hastings was fought on October 14, 1066, and on that day the Conqueror became the possessor of the sovereignty still enjoyed by his descendants with ever-increasing glory and security. It was one of the very few occasions in the history of the world in which accidents, and trifles, and secondary causes seem to have had no part, and in which the authors, the preparation, the circumstances, and the expectation all were suitable to the incalculable im portance of the results. The "great Baron" led to these shores the noblest and most civilised race of that age. He carefully armed himself with the highest religious sanction, and a claim sufficient at least for the wager of battle. Politic before his age, he threw away no chance. With the eyes of all Christendom upon him, he made the most elaborate preparations on the opposite shore, aad secured by diplomacy an important diversion on our northern coast. It was greatly in his favour that he had to encounter a thoroughly united realm, an ancient and loved dynasty, a people proud of their unmixed race, or a dominant class ; for in all these respects England was made to his hands, and like a house waiting for its lord and master. Indeed, with the exception of the governing power which England was then to receive, and to see speedily developed into King, Lords, and Commons, it had a remarkable resemblance to England of this day. It had been made up of many races, engrafted on a stock of unknown antiquity. Its people had always claimed self-government and equal laws. The tribal sys tem and slavery—if pure and simple slavery had ever existed in the island—had early given way to the allodial system, and to that relation of master and man which is become almost nature in this country. England would have been a very barren conquest, and could never have been more than another Normandy, had the Conqueror not won the people as well as the soil ; and, although he brought over then and afterwards many thousand adven turers, whom he was able to plant all over the country, all inquiry tends to prove how small, in the first instance, was the change in the inhabitants of this island, their manners, and their laws. At first the two races lived apart; then the lordly Norman element began to work like a leaven in the mixed mass of this people,' as it has worked ever since, and works at this day. Though there is not a family in the island that could-claim a pure descent, had it so foolish an ambition, yet Norman blood flows in the meanest veins, producing everywhere and in various classes the genius of mastery, of organisa tion, of handiness and helpfulness, of high moral discipline, of loyal obedience, and paternal authority. Daring these eight centuries we have undergone changes so great, and seen events so extraordinary, as to invite the remark that our history is the tale of a novel-writer. But in the most important sense we have been singularly changeless. For the whole of this period we have been engaged more or less in political controversies assuming various forms, but almost invariably recognising the Dynasty, the Con stitution, 'the Church, the rights of property, the legal system, local authority, and even territorial arrangements of a less important character. Of these things it is hard to say which is the oldest and most respected in this country, and no sooner is any part of our complex social and political system threatened than the descendant, may be, of Saxon or British patriots can point to chapter and verse of the Nor man records, with the presumption in favour of a much greater antiquity. The Conquest, which found Enland in no very peaceful and settled condition, had to plant its steps in the smouldering embers, and encounter and quench not a few rebellions. Then came wars of succession, an evil old as the Heptarchy, but also imported, and culminating in the battle of Bosworth, near four centuries ago, since which we have managed this business better. The Normans brought with them some ecclesiastical controversies which are still pending, and which have occasionally influenced political affairs. We have claimed a na tional church, and one which tolerates dissent—a re turn, as some tell us, to British simplicity, but less doubtfully fortified by Norman example. Profiting by the example of the Norman barons, the Commons claimed their place in legislation and laws. The land was covered with castles, but burgesses grew bold ; and when castles were levelled wholesale, there were more and more royal charters, with still larger li berties. The genius of the country was adverse to all political pretensions of an unaccommodating and overbearing character. The great Norman families that felt and acted as heirs of the Conquest and masters of the people gradually decayed, giving place to a gentry of a more moderate bearing. The wars of the Roses and the iron rule of the Tudors are commonly said to have given the finishing stroke to the confederacy of Norman chiefs that still thought England their own. But what record that stormy period left of itself fared ill at the hands of succeeding generations, and we only know what sur vived. Thus gradually, and after many struggles, the conquerors themselves. the Crown, the barons, and the Church, have had to enter into compromises with the people, and accept laws made in the interest of the whole commonwealth. For six centuries Parliament and the Courts of Law have been sub stantially what they are now. When we are speak ing of that which has grown, and gained, and lost, and remained the same for eight centuries, we have no choice but to call it England. England in Nor man hands acquired Ireland and Wales, mere after claps of the Conquest. She lost her continental provinces, and with them the last links of Norman fetters, for the Norman element from that day was a social rather than a political influence. As soon as the dream of French dominion had passed away, England found a good sister, instead of a bad neigh bour, in the northern part of the island. Since that she has lost the best part of North America, her own children, and gained India and Australasia. They are the largest losses and gains that history tells of, and the superstructure may seem too large for the basis of a single battle fought on the Sussex Downs 800 years ago. But that was not the scale by which causes and effects were measured by the Saxon Thanes, who, having watched the Normans disem barking on Michaelmas Eve, in the year 1066, and then intrenching and hutting themselves, rode be yond the Humber to tell King Harold, Godwin's son, what they had seen. They found him resting at York, after having slain his namesake, the Nor wegian King. The Saxon King was no craven. He rode from York to Sussex, gathered a second army, and met the Normans at the hoary apple-tree—a " sour apple-tree" for him. There he fell, and thou sands of his army with him, as the gigantic King of N orway and his huge host had fallen a few days be fore. Within 15 days both the Harolds had got their seven feet of English earth. That was the masterstroke of the Norman Duke. Indeed, all that we have done, and the whole series of our conquests and acquisitions, far and wide, are but echoes of the Norman original. The wandering Celt, the hard-working Saxon, the adventurous Dane, whatever the peculiar and inscrutable quali ties of the English race into which all are fused, might have roamed, and laboured, and fought in vain, but for the master Norman mind, that could plan, and construct, and inspire; that neverintended without doing, that seldom did without succeeding, and that never began without completing its work. That the succeeding chapters of so changeful a his tory should not belacking iu interest, and the pro blem of British greatness is still working itself out, is both a natural and a necessary faith. It cannot be said that we have attained to any consummation, or even any resting-place, or any ideal so satisfactory that we may now thank the Conquest for putting the finishing stroke on our composition. But they who would ameliorate our public policy or remodel our institutions will never do this well, if at all, un less they fully recognise the character of the mate rials they have to deal with. The elements of our race are indestructible, even though it be of the mixed character proved by history and the evidence of our own senses. We are what we have been made by successive invasions, successive occupations, and successive additions from various parts of the Con tinent. The refugees of poverty or persecutions to whom we have given a home must outnumber many times the entire Norman importation. But it is plain to the bluntest senses and the dullest under standing that the men who conquered, held, go verned, built up this country till they were one with it, and lost in a common unity, are still among us and in us, in our institutions, our laws, our language, our customs, public spirit, our policy, our very flesh and blood. These are the actual ingredients, and these the facts of the case that we have to deal with, and all legislation that should ever attempt to mould and fashion our race without caring what it is and what it is made of will utterly and disastrously fail. Nations have their characters, like individuals, and we have ours, though, as in the case of most men, it is various. It is painfully evident that our cousins across the Atlantic inherit this variety, and that no success is to be expected from the attempeto make one quality, one class, one type of men the normal citizen and ordinary unit in that society. What we see there is the violent antagonism of numbers, strong chiefly in the weakness with which they allow themselves to be massed and moulded against a minority with stronger hereditary qualities. These are given to be helpmeets for one another, not for the triumph of 3ne or for mutual destruction. But the greatest of all losses a nation can suffer is the loss or the degradation of those whose very appear ance and manner mark them for mastery find head ship, and whom instinct, education, and position all combine to qualify for responsibility and command. But it is not at all necessary that we should sup pose England still divided into Norman, Saxon, Dane, or Briton. The truth is, the medley is com plete, that the type of each race may come out any where, and each one of us may be all. It is enough that the qualities are in us, and the traditional parts remain to be filled. In no country in the world is the relation of master and servant so firmly established, so thoroughly developed, and conducive to such great and happy results as in this country. No doubt it is the creation of our history. Ireland has never passed through the feudal sys tem ; for though it had its Norman conqueror, it had not gone through the previous training and formation which made the Norman Conquest so beneficial to this country. The result is that the Irishman will be at once master and servant, land lord, tenant, and labourer, his own lawmaker, his own minister of justice,—indeed, everything in one. That he may be a faithfal servant when his nature inclines that way none can doubt ; but his will independence which inclines to that personal which crumbles society into units, and ends in social dissolution. When he does find his master it is on the soil andamong the race conquered by and finally associated with the Norman. But if we say that the English master and servant are the best of our race, as it now exists, and if we seem to read its origin in the successive conquests of this island always by a race superior to the last, we are only asserting what is evident in the framework of Eng lish society, in the qualities that fit people for one or both of these positions. To be a good master, it is often said, a man must be a good servant, or have been a good one ; and to be a good Englishman a man must be at once Celt, Saxon, Dane, Norman, and whatever else has contributed to form the British character. POST.—Prussia may easily miss the opportunity which was opened up at Sadowa. It requires con summate tact to improve a great but inconclusive victory, and the Prussian Government has already made more than one false step on the high ground which it took up. What is worse still, it has appa rently gone out of the plain straight way on con siderations which may only be accounted for at the expense of its character—the self-respect which it was expected to display, and the dignity and for bearance befitting its position. The circumstance that, with complex problems to be resolved, and in the presence of undissembled difficulties, this Go vernment should have stepped aside, as it were, from the path of discretion to concern itself about a simple wedding present, is significant not merely because the Princess Dagniar is the affianced bride of the Czarewitcb, and the sister of the Princess of Wales, but because it is in itself evidence of an almost incredible want of confidence. We do not for a moment suppose that, in forbidding the Danish Schleswigers to express the regard they entertain for the daughter of their former Sovereign, the Go vernment of Berlin intended to offer an insult to the imperial and royal families interested in her ap proaching marriage ; but the act reveals apprehen sions which a strong Government would not expe rience, and which a weak Government should seek to conceal, and it is, moreover, unspeakably mean in all its aspects. Such things, paltry as they seem, and paltry as they really are, cannot fail to pro duce a painful and lasting impression on the public mind. They excite feelings of indignation or of contempt, and Prussia, in the plenitude of her power, is subjected to hatred or to scorn through her own wrongdoing. It is these " trifles light as air" that turn the scale of enterprises, and provoke opposition by the mistrust which they justify. This, too, unfortunately, is a sample of the irritating and vexatious proceedings to which the Prussian Government has condescended in the hour of its success. The annexation of Hanover and Frankfort may be vindicated, and so may the humiliation of Saxony; but a high-handed policy ought to be carried out consistently. Powers that make war and dictate peace should stand erect before the world, and observe the conditions of their action with scrupulous exactitude. One more instance will suffice to show that Prussia is capri cious and hesitating. The grand Duchy of Baden has, by the vote of its Chamber of Deputies, declined the Prussian alliance. This also may appear to be a very small matter. But it must be borne in mind that the Deputies were advised by their Government that " the adhesion of Baden to the Northern Union was for them a question of existence, and the sole way leading to the unity of Germany." In point of fact, they were reqUested to vote away their inde pendence, which is substantially what Prussia exacts. German unity, as it is understood at Berlin, signifies the enlargement of the Prussian State, and the Northern Union is the means to that end. Now, the end may be right—that is to say, the union of Ger many under the Prussian monarchy might eventu ally prove beneficial to the whole of the German community; and we know from history—from the history of our own country----how right ends have been arrived at. But precisely because the ques tion is one rather of expediency than of morality, the means employed should be, ostensibly at least, moral means. In other words, the mission of Prussia does not admit of any double dealing. When the fortress of Konigstein is claimed from a State occupied by Prussian troops, the claim is in telligible. If it is not given up it will be taken— that is understood. But when the Prime Minister of Baden declares that its existence depends on the will of Prussia, the representatives of the in habitants of the Duchy have to consider whether he speaks with authority, and, in effect, whether he is their Minister or a Prussian missionary. In short, a national movement cannot be worked out with the machinery of a conspiracy. Everybody is prepared to allow that revolutions are not made with rosewater, but, to last and wear well, they should have a solid foundation. This was exempli fied in Baden a few years since, when Prussia was endeavouring to stamp out the theory of German unity. The unionists of 1848-9 had no foundation to stand upon, and they could not resist the Prus sian bayonets. At present, however, the Germans are not offered unity, but are asked to walk with Prussia in a way which she says will lead to it. They are invited to shut their eyes and be guided by Count Von Bismarck, and told that there is no alternative between submission and extinction. But recollecting that the people of Hanover and Frank fort were differently dealt with, the Baden Depu ties may not unreasonably think that they see another course. They can hardly imagine that Prussia would beg for anything which she was com petent to demand, and looking at the situation from that point of view, there would be scope for free and refreshing speculation. Further, the Prussian Go vernment is protesting too much. Its relations with the Governments of St. Petersburg and the Hague may be quite satisfactory. There may be no mis understanding anywhere. But, be that as it may, if the policy of Prussia is not defined it can hardly fail to be misapprehended, and if the Government which aspires to lead Germany cannot permit the poor Schleswigers to congratulate the fair daughter of their nationality, the misapprehension may be ag gravated by obvious inferences. If the fear be pro vident its manifestation is susceptible of another iilter pretation. Just so, also, if Baden can stand in the way of German unity as it is pointed out by Prussia, the vote of its Chamber of Deputies may be thought to represent something beyond what it expresses. For ourpart, we are not persuaded that the Germans as a nation desire union as the Italians did. In all else they may be equally well qualified to appreciate it ; but we doubt very much if the minor States are ready to renounce their independence, such as it is. Those of them that have been conquered had, of course, no choice ; and for the rest there only remains the chance to which we adverted yesterday, and which may or may .not have been considered in Baden. But one thing is certain. Prussia could not com pel Germany to embrace her proposition by force, unless, indeed, it was provided beforehand that other Powers were to be passive spectators of the conflict ; and as this happens to be a fact which no protesting can shake, it might be well for the Prussian Government to devote a portion of the attention which it bestows on the English papers, and occasionally on the journals of St. Petersburg/ to matters which, if they were properly explained, might not be misunderstood. STATE OF TRADE. BRADFORD, Oct. 25.—N0 change has taken place to-day in the wool-market. Staplers report a slow , dragging trade. There has been a slight consump tive demand, chiefly in bright-haired sorts. Stocks are generally held by growers in the country, and the quantity in this market is limited. Quotations are consequentlp rather steady, although there are staplers who will yield an average to the buyer. There has been no improvement in worsted yarns• Spinners of carded yarns . are rather busier• Genapes of lower counts are in better request. Th e super. 30s trade is quiet ; prices are rather irregular an indication of weakness. There has been the same dulness in prices. The new orders given' either on home, American, or continental account, are very limited, and manufacturers keep generally well employed on contracts long received. Prices are weaker. NEWPORT, MONMOUTIISHIRE, 24th.—In the iron trade operations throughout the districts are fairly carried on. There is a marked improvement in the placing of orders on American account. The exports of rails to New York since the commencement of the present month have been above the average, whi l° a large'parcel has been cleared out for Mobile, the first this year. A considerable quantity has also been sent to Russia and South America. The Aus tralian financial difficulties keep transactions with that quarter down very much, and business gene" rally with the East isquiet. The Dowlais Compaq , however, has an order in hand for 27,000 tons of rails for Egypt. Orders for spring delivery ar e gradually coming in, and the inquiries on Continen tal account are on the whole hopeful. There is a slight change for the better in some transactions, but consw mers continue to purchase as sparingly as possible. 111 miscellaneous descriptions there is an improved de' mand. Pig iron is in limited request, and quota' tions quiet. The tinplate trade is tolerably active, with future prospects good and quotations fir °. The steam coal trade is brisk on foreign account, and a large business is being done with the home markets. House coal in improved request, esEe cially on coasting account. COUNTRY MARKETS. BIRMINGHAM—TxtrasDAY. At this ilay's market there was a fair sur, - )ly of whal and fine English was fully 2s per qr dearer; daraP ale foreign neglected. All except best samples of barley per qr lower. Oats and beans fully as dear. Peas 1111 altered. BRISTOL—THURSDAY. 41 On our market to-day there was a fair amply of Eng l; , wheat, which met a free sale, at an advance of 2s per c ka Foreign sold at a similar improvement ; but the dernals was not brisk. A good trade doing in flour, which was to 3s per sack dearer. Fine barleys scarce and cleared Grinding and distilling samples in better supply, I v values gave way is to 2s per qr. Oats in moderate suPP and 6d dearer for all descriptions. Indian corn and beat' 6d to is per qr higher. MANCHE S TER—THURSDAY. Da At our market this morning there was again a g°-•,. attendance. The best samples of English wheat me t afal sale, at an advance of 2s to 3s per qr. and forc'gn so ld to; a moderate extent, ° at a similar amendment. Flour was, 14 less demand than durinc , the week, but must be quot ed to 2s per sack dearer. Oats and oatmeal brought ra,tll,2's more money. Beans and peas ruled firm. Indian corn a" again is per qr higher. EDINBURGH—WEDNEspAy. Wheat on the top, 3s Od up average, 3s 3d 11 1 3 * Barley on the top, 8s Od up average, Os 10d VP• Oats on the top, is 6d up average, Os lld up .. Beans on the top, is Od down average, is lld doW° Total supply and sales. Wheat 792 qrs sold 539 Barley 1550 qrs sold 1427 Oats 1496 qrs sold 92 6 Beans 76 qrs sold 6 Average prices. Wheat, 61s 4d I Oats, 29s 7d Barley, 37s 2d 1 Beans ...55s 10d 4 ,,,, Town-made flour sells as follows :—White, 50s Od; elci— superfine, 48s 6d; superfine, 478 Od; fine, 45s 6d. GLASGOW—WEDNESDAY. To-day's market was well attended. Wheat ruled qu i t barley, peas, and Indian corn each 6d dearer per boll. O firm. Oatmeal 6d to is higher per 2801 b. Foreign Mail Packet List. - ~-- MAILS DUE. a.ustralia and New Zealand, via Southampton...„NoV. Ditto, via Marseilles Nov. 43. Brazil and Cape Verde. by British pauket • 0 •' „ 5, Ditto, by French packet. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and ~t. flelena Out• China, Penang, and Singapore, via Sou...hampton NoV 3. Ditto, via Marseilles Oa. 2 Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southacapton Oct. 28 ' lndia (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton NOV. Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton Oct. 29 ' Ditto, via liarseilles Nov. 1 Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Oct. 23 ; Ditto, via Marseilles Oct- 2 " . Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseille Newfoundland Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon... United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork Ditto, oy Canadian packet, via Londonderry „Oct cc'est Cosu.t of Africa, Madeira, and Tenable ....Nov; ' CP ' Wrest Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas and Honduras) Oct 29 . " Cuba and Mexico Oot• 29° Bermuda, via Halifax Oct. 24 Bahamas, via New York. NoY• THE COMPILER OF JOE MILLER'S JESTS.' i c i t seemed as if Mottley were to be haunted by that b ill ' r genius, of his, ill-luck, to his life's end. He had no s °°ll , ( i l t got into a fair connexion with the theatres than the g ° : took the use of his right hand away, and thenceforth 'Ad was a confirmed valetudinarian. Mottley was in this 1 predicament, crippled and half bedridden, when one doll , 1739, quite early, Mr. Read, of Dogwell-court, called t him touching a little literary business. It was though t ",,"" fi 'a it would be a profitable jest to gather together all th e g u a things about town, put them into a shilling book, i 1", make the late Joe Miller, notoriously as i m p e rvious W ee joke as a Quaker, its foster-father. Mottley would lly'sre been a name of names for the title-page, one would ha t fancied ; but Mr. Read held differently. Mottley W as f; a dead player, and Miller was. People who knew anY tb- 0 knew that the late Mr. Miller was one of the dulle st d°g gi ever sipped ale out of a black jack ; and when they ° fArl with their own bodily eyes Joe Miller's Jests o n e .V YiI stall, what a merry sensation there would be in al l the ° actor's old haunts about Drury-lane, and what a stir aul°lle ; the mighty butchers of Clare Market, who would ul 3°e tt ji shilling, every butcher of them, to see what it cm/I,lr, mean. Mottley even sunk his name, assuming that Elijahf' Miller's " lamenting friend and former companion," ,0 Jenkins, Esq. Anyhow, it was a bouncing shi giljg worth, and Mr. Read cleared a very handsome profit. L A , us hope that Mr. Read did not forget the widow.--- 9° " All the Year Round." Births. the Ist Sept.': at Muree, the wife of BRIGHT—On Bright, 19th Regiment, of a daughter. a s• COBHAM—On the 25th inst., at Morden, the wife of Cobham, Esq., of a sou. vpar DAVEY—On the 24th inst., at 15, Norfolk-squar e, park, the wife of Horace Davey, Esq., of a d9,Ogbt e rer STORMONT-0n the 24th inst., at 28, Charles-stre et fair, the Viscountess Stormont, of a daughter. Marriages. „tb01 35 BUCHANAN—MELLOR—On the 24th inst., at Net"" Church, near Huddersfield, John E. Buchanaltter merchant, London, to Hannah Maria, third dallqr o . Thomas Mellor, isq., Spring Lodge, Thong W i lier VARDERA—Srms—On the 24th inst. at at St. James's, 510 c;•, dilly, John F. Verdera, of Vinaros Lodge, 11 , v • °°I' Siel ° ' Middlesex, to Mary Ann, youngest daughter of v' • Esq., Jermyn-street, Haymarket. Deaths. e, t he DENT—On the 21st inst., at Hallatou, Leicestershir e ' Rev. John H. Dent, M.A., aged 72. COURTUB On the 24th inet., at Vernon Cottage? )nary wife of Mr. John Courtus. Coloe cl HEMMING—On the 25th inst., at 92, Gracechece' Mrs. ary Ann Heming, aged 47. be 11 rwe_ NAIRNE— M m On the 24th inst., at Grove-hill, Caw Capt. Alex. Nairne, 11.C.5., aged 81. a OVi ell ' OwEN—On the 22d inst., at Nowbridge, Mr. nay bandmaster Royal Scots Greys, aged 53. , Vsck' WlLsox—On the 25th inst., at Putney, Isaac NV ' s° late of 116, Wood-street, Cheapside, aged 75- gr. C. WARREN—On the 20th inst., at Richmond, SerreY' Warren, aged 61. London : Printed tnd Published by Wl.l. LIAO • of No. 112, Strand, Punter. at THE SUN 0 " e. tz : 2 tY ° Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the C ° Middleoex.—Fliday, October 6, 1860. I I