The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-30 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREICT.N.

The total amount of the collection at the anniversary
dinner of the Commercial Travellers' Schools was £16,679.

The deati is reported from Dumbatton of an old
lady, named Margaret M'ATatight, at the age of 102 year&

The story bas reached Paris that torpedoes are being
laid down In the Danube to prevent the passage of Turkist
troops into Roumania.

A telegram from Montreal says that a convent near
Jelltette has been destroyed by lire. Thirteen persons
perished in the cot fikgration.
-

The Manchester Courier says that 162,000 Christmas
earth Ilave passed through tha Mane!letter Post-office
during the last few days.

No lees than 10,000 "Certificates of honour" will
be issued by Government in connection with the prcelama-
Lion of the Imperial Title.
The indigo imported this year to the 30th ult., in its
declared value reached to £2,0e6.258, against £1,587,278 in
the corresponding period of the previous year.

- -
The infant daughter of the Duke and Duchess of
Elinburgh is, according to a letter in the Standard from
Malta, to be called Victoria Malta, in recognition of the joy
of the Maltese at her having been born in their island.

-
While witnessing a game of cricket out Wtst, a boy
was struck en the back of his
_head, the bawl coming out of
mouth. . . _

A Berlin paper fa-firms that French agents are busy
In the province of Posen buying horses for their government.
One agent Is reported to be under an ergagement to supply
no fewer than 1,600 holies by the 29th lust.

On Tuesday afternoon John Shields, aged eleven,
was sliding upon a quarry hole thirty feet de3p, near
Itutiheti glen, when the toe broke. Peter Cassel's, aged
eleven, having one arm, threw a small cord to Shields, but
he also fell in, and both boys were drowned. A boat being
procured the bodies vrt re recovered.
The schooner Margeurite, of Nowqaay, coal laden.
from Swansea to Newry, was wrecked on the back shore In
Dandrum Bay on Tuesday night, during a very strong gale
from the south-east, and in a heavy sea. The crew of fpur
men were saved by the lifeboat Reigate, belonging to the
N stional Lifeboat Institution.

A fire occurred on Tuesday in a ispinning-roill at
Dundee. One of the men employed on the premises who had
escaped ran back to recover his watch, and on again attempt-
ing to escape was overpowered by the smoke and st,ff jested.
Ills body, dreadfully charred, was found when the fire was
extinguished.
In a case heard at the Glasgow Police-court, the
method adopted in that city for drowning dogs taken off the
streets by the police was disclosed. At the bottom of a
large tank, filled with water, is a ring to which a rope with a
noose at the end is fixed. The noire is slipvd round the
neck of the dog, which is then pulled to the battom and
held there until it Is drowned.

A corresptndent of the Sanitary &cord calls the !Men.
Von of the authorities tx the dangerous practice of patients
in hospitals suffering from smail-poa being permitted to
communicate with their friends by letter, as there can be
bat little doubt that the germs of contagion can be thus
trsasmitted to the person oe persms to whom the communi•
cation is sent, and especially in tha early stages of conva-
lescence.

Notices have been issued by the St. Luke's Vt-sfry
and the iloli)orn District Board of Wuthr, to which the
chairman of the Metropolitan Asylum Board desires to c. 411
attentisn, and which are to the effect that as small-P',
scarlet fever, and other infections; diseases have been largely
spread through the medium of old and second-hand clothing
being sold hrthe streets of London, the public are cautioned
against buying such articles. Dealers are also reminded that
they are liable to a fine of £5 for expOslng bedding, clothing,
rigs, etc., for tale, which have not been thoroughly Wain.
fectcd.

All the reserves and Landmlr men in Gern*ny,
who have not yet been trained to the dee of the Manger -Me,
are to he called out for rifle practice immediately after the
New Year.

"The Treasurer of St. Saviour's Hospital, for the
Treatment of Cancer by the Michel and other Processes,
without the Knife, begs to acknowledge a donation oi five
pounds from E. W."—Advertisement in The Time&

After making all the awards in respect of the
Alabama Claims, the Commissioners find themselves with a
residuum of eight million dollars,
"G. S.—l read your letters with utmost pleasure
Think always and only of you. Hope you are quite happy
Am very well. Remember me. Write mueb."—Advertisemen
in The Times.

M. Gaston Boissier, Professor of Latin at the
College de France, bas been received at the French Academy
as the successor of M. Patin, who recently died at the age
of 83.

The Glasgow Water Committee have resAved to
extend "the meter system for detecting and reducing the
waste of water" over an area embracing SO,COO people.
"B.—Why have I not heard of you for so long?
Oh, pleare let mo have a word, and do by Lnd get to see me
somehow, soon. I am so lonely. Good bye.". Advertis-
ement in The Times.

The Army and Navy Gazette hears that consider Able
progress has been made at the War Office and Horse Guards
in a p7an for accelerating promotion and securing adequate
retirement in the army.

The declared value of paper imported for printing
and writing this year was £682,774 ; last sear in the same
period othl months, £N9,877.

Lord John Manners propuses increasing the number
of female civics in the Post-offloe. —Their pay ranges from
£l.O to £4OO.

Her Majesty the Qaeen has signified her intention
of opening Parliament in person. The ceremony to be
observed will follow in ants details the precedent of last
year.—Court Journal.

Madame Perron, an old lady who lately died at
Paris, has bequeathed 85,0001. to the Municipality of Mar-
seilles for foundkig an asylum for unfortunate dogs and
horses.

The "trump card" of the Government next SeEsion,
so far as domestic legislation is coneenied, will, it is said, be
a measure dealing with the appointment and Jurisdiction of
the unpaid magistrates, and with the method of proceeding
In our lozal Courts. —Court Journal

"If we are to trust accounts that have reached this
country, both the Turks and the Russians have for some
time past been busily engaged in planting torped-es in the
Black Sea and the waters of the Bavhorus."-7Daily Nam
The Whitehall Rai= learns by a letter from Rome
that Lord Rossmore, of the let Life Guards, was very severely
hurt on the 14th inst. While out with the Roman hounds
he fell from his horse and was dragged some distance ty his
foot getting entangled in the stirrups. He is, however,
roach better, and no serious results are anticipated.

At the Dearne Valley Paper Mills, Barnsley, last
Saturday morning, a lame wheel armed with knives, which
was need in cutting up old ropes, (tc , suddenly broke into
atoms, and the pieces flew in all directions, breaking a fly-
wheel, knocking down a wall, and doing other serious
damage. Ttre man in attendance was killed.
Churches should be inspected not less than theatres.
The other Sunday, Correspondent writes, r was at a church,
and the evening following a theatre; it would be cllfftanjt or
rather impeesible forms to say which was the most fashion.
able or tbe most crowded on this particular occasion; and
situated as I was, I should not have given my life half-an-
hour's purchase In tither place in the event of a fire, or an
alarm of such a thing.—Court Journal.

The Collectors of Customs at the various ports in
the trotted Kingdom have been furnished with lithographed
sketches and description of the potato beetle. It is said to
be yellow, with black spots on the fore part, and ten black
stripes, five on each side, on the wing covers, something like
a large ladybird, but rather larger, and is also striped, which
ladybirds are not. It is ordered, when recognised, to be
instantly slain.

A New York lady, being annoyed at some scandal
she had heard about herself, determined ta sift it to the
bottom. Accordingly she inquired of various friends till she
came to one lady who apparently had originated it. The
aggrieved one thereupon made her complaint, and inquired
where the supposed originator ot the scandal had heard it.
"Certainly," said the originator, in her sweetest tones, "I
heard it from your own husband." Fait the aggrieved one,
to take measures accordingly.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has published a list
of the times and places at which he will hold confirmations
next year. His grace desires it to be understood by his clergy
that they are at liberty to present for confirmation children
who are in their national schools or in service at fourteen
years of age if they seem prepared; but in the case of the
upper and middle classes he prefers that all candidates should
be fifteen years of age.

Mr. Waterhouse, the Board of Arbitration iron
trade accountant, has made his return, glidng the net
average selling price of rails, plates, bars, and angles for the
quarter Le Its. 6t, a reduction of 3s. id. on the previous
quarter. The great depresrion in the rail trade is exhibited
by its only forming 17i per cent, of the whole fiaished iron
trade, instead of over 60 per cent. when fully employed. The
employers have been awaiting this retnrn, and may propose
a reduction of wages, in accordance with notice.

Captain Thompson, of the National line steamer
Italy, haa been presented by the Austro-Hungarian Govern-
ment, through the medium of the Liverpool Local Marine
Board, with a faluable gold lever watch, as a reward for ser-
vices rendered in saving the Austro-Hungarian brig Stilicove
and her crew. The Ita'y fell in with the Stilicove in a dis-
abled condition at sea, having been in collision with an
unknown vessel, and towed her safely into Queenstown.
- - - - - - -

Speaking at Dundee, Mr. E. Jenkins, M.P.,iaid he
was not one of those who thought that it was the du!, of the
Government to protect working men against fraud. It had
been suggested that Government should undertake the
supervision of Friendly Socities, but such a course would be
treating working men as if they were babies. The affairs of
these societies should, Mr. Jenkins thought, be investigated
by the working men themselves.

Down to the end of Octobe,r the total amount of gold
exported from the colony of Victoria since the beginning of
the year has been 437,26 z, of which 6,3350 z was tran-
shipped from New Zaaland. Daring the corresponding
period of last year the export from New Victoria was
623913 z, and of this total 67,7650 z was from New Zealand.
The Leeds Triennial Musical Festival of 1877 is
fixed to take place in the Leeds Town Hall about the end of
September next. It is expected that two or three new and
important works will be produced. Professor Macfarren is
engaged in writing an oratorio for the Festival, the subject
being "Joseph."

The emigrant Clyde-buil ship Zamora sailed from
Queenstown on the 21st Inst., bound for Brisbane, Queens-
land, having on board the following number of emigrants,
under the charge of Dr. Hill Wray: 149 single men, 75 single
women, 68 married people, 27 children between the ages of
12 and 18; and 7 infants; making a total of 326 souls, equal
to 305 i adults. The single women are all under the care of
the matron, Mrs. Curry, this being her fifth voyage.

The passenger train due at eleven &m. on Tuesday
from Cookstown, on the Belfast and Northern Counties
Railway, came into collision with a goods train at Moylens, a
cutting between Danadry and Antrim. The shock was very
great. Mrs. Lowry, the wife of a jeweller in Antrim was
killed, and her tw2 children were seriously injured. Dr.
Killen, a medicallentleman, had his leg broken. The Rev.
Mr. Healey, a Roman Catholic clergyman, was also seriously
injured. Many other persons were wounded, but not
seriously.

German correspondents in Russia complain that
Englishmen and Italians settled In that country escape some
of the hardships of mobilisation to which Germans are sub-
ject. The governments of England and Italy have expressly,
stipulated in former treaties for the exemption of their sub-
jects from liability to surrender their horses to the govern-
ment for purposes of war. The horses of Englishmen and
Italians, if taken, have therefore been restored to their
owners, whereas Germans have been ligorously corrpelled to
give up theirs.

An _inquest has been held at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, London, concerning the death of Alice Web, aged
23, a barmaid, In the service of the proprietor of the "Ed-
tannia Tavern," Tooley-street. The unfortunate woman had
been arranging her hair in front of the glass in her bed-room
when it came in contact with the candle and caught flee, and
she was at once surrounded by the flames. Mt King extin-
guished them and tock her to the hospital, but she soon ex•
pired. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded.
Captain Hamilton, R.M., ParFonstown, is taking
steps to establish a club for reviving the ancient pastime of
falconry, and has already obtained a fine team of falcons and
hawks. The number of birds is thirty-five, and they vary in
species. It is proposed that hunts shall take place three Gays
In the week, and subacriptioLs are invited to maks the pro-
ject emcees. Some ot the hawks have been imported from
Norway, while others were obtained in this country. Tne
meets will commence immediately after Christmas.

Magnificent preparations are being made at Delhi
for the Imperial assemblage on the Ist of January next, when
her Majesty's pie of Embreas of India Is to be proclaimed.
Many native princes and chiefs, with their rainues, have
already arrived. The Delhi camp is stated to be the largest
ever formed in India, and, scattered over the environs of the
city, covers an area of not leas 20 square miles. On the 22nd
Inst. over 12,000 men, including contingents from the
BAnbay and Madras arm!es and the Paul tila frontier force,
were reviewed in the presence of an immense concourse of
people, on the plain near the dais from which the proclama-
tion will be made. & large number of civilians and chiefs
were present.
The Berlin Correspondent of The Times telegraphs
that two sons of the Ameer of Bokbara, ac:companied by a
numerous suite, have just bsen received by the Emperor of
Russia Sold Mir Nadjln Eddin, the elder of the two
brothers, said the object of his mission was to congtatulate
the Czar upon the annexation of Terghand, the last indepen-
dent remnant of the late Khanate of Khokand, lie had
brought with him a younger brother, iiirmansur, who would
have the advantage of being educated in a Government
academy at St. Petersburg The Czar, in reply, expressed
himself gratifi?d by what he had heard, after which, Metal
Hisam Toksaba, the special ambassador accompany ing the
Princes, assured his Majesty of the eternal devotion and
at:achment of the Khan.

The direstors of the Swedish Government railways
have turned their special attention to the frequent omit-
ranee of colour-blindness amongst thefr engine-drivers ltncl
other officials (says the Sanitary Rem*. Professor
llolmgren bas lately examined the whole staff of the Upsala-
Gen, Railway, and amongst the 2E6 persons examined has
found no lesa than eighteen who suffered from this defect, and
who therefore yore utterly useless and unfit for railway service.
This investigation proves that cares of colour blindness are
far more frequent than is generally supposed, and that our
railway companies would do'well to follow the example of
tie Swedish State railways, and investigate the sill j-ct as a
prcbable cause of the accideas so frequent on our railways.

The Constantinopleacorrespondent of the Pall Mall
Gazette, telegraphing from Athees, says: " Ilidhat Pasha, in
conversation with Lord Salisbury, said that the Turks have
decided to accept no terms giving exclusive administration
to the three pruvinces of Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.
`We intend,' eildhat said, 'giving large reforms to all our
Buhl cts, even to the ruder, who with yeu do not count.
Burets° asks us to cut our throats; we must trouble Europe
to do it for us, if they are to be cut. We came hare a small
ntuninr ; if we go away we go as we came, leaving to
England the care of covering the graves of those we leave
behind.''
In a leader, speaking of the comparative strength of
Russia and Turkey, The Times says :—" Whatever military
ariticism may be passed on one army or the other, the odds
must be against the Turks. R Issia has a Population of
nearly 80,000,000; the Mussalmen population available for
the conscription is about 18,000,000. The Ruesian nuances
may not be in the soundest condition, bat the resources of
the country are enormously greater than those of Turkey,
and in case of war they would be eqtrallY at the ditposal of
the C overnment. Any equality between the two Empires ap-
perent on a first campaign would gradually disappear as the
odds of five to one in pepulation began to manifest them-
selves. And, indeed, the odds would almost certainly be
still greater. it is quite possible that this time there would
really be a genexel movement of the aristian population.
The Rotimanianr who are 4,000,000, could hardly remain out
of the war • the Servians are being eget!' organized and
drilled; audit is eiorally certain that the Greeks would make
their long.meditated attack on Thetsaly and Epirus."
The con.t.wtly recurring feral of accident in which
a pauenger falls between the train and the platform should
Induce the railway courpanies seriously to ccasider the
urgent need of providiu a le °ad continuous footboard
ge
which would render it impotUble for persons to be pre-
cipitated in the manner described (remarks the Lancet)
There can be no temperable difficulties rig:sleet the
adoption of such a plan. It 'work' well on many of the
Continental line, and has been the means of greatly
diminishing the number of fatal accidents. A report issued
this week states that in the three month., July, August,
and September, 18 passengers were killed and 28 injared
by falling between trains and platforms; and three were
killed and 98 injured by falling ea to the platform while get.% g
into or alighting frem carriages. It is AO evident that a large
saving of life and limb wsuld be affected by an improvement
of the nature suggested, West It is somewhat sarpriaing the
subject has net been brougist before the notice of the Legis-
lature. Au independent member of the Ilona of Commons
has here an excellent question to work up for next Session.
Itcould not fail to cemmand attention, nor could the yetimatelY ancoessfurissue of so praiseworthy an tindertaking,be
doubted,

Twelve lives trw,e been lost by a collision at sea in
the Indian Ooean off Vingorla, near Goa;

The Christmas celebrations in Liverpool and the
surrounding districts passed dr very quietly. and 169 persons
—above the average number at any other time—were locked
up for being intoxicated.
A young man, has been founi lying on the pave.
ment in a street at Bolton frozen to death.

Christmas-day in Glasgow was celebrated by a
general suspension of business on the Exchanges, and a
dinner supplied to 1,803 poor persona in the City Hall, and
presided over by the Lord Provost

150 head of Spanish cattle were landed at Penryn
on Saturday, in prime condition, for the Christmas market.
In the last eleven months the value of unmanu-
factured tobacco Imported was £2,576,273, against £1,193,733
In the corresponding period of the preceding year, while of
manufactured tobacco and snuff it was £1,183,754 against
£1,026,563 last year.

The Commigeionerg of Inland Revenue acknowledge
ha The Times, am " Ccancknee Money' the receipt of noted
for £4O for Income- tax from "Y. Z." The Chancellor of the
Exchequer acknowledges the receipt of £lO for unpais
Probate and Legacy duties from "&. L."

The Glasgow Herald as that a bill promoted by
the North British Builway Company contains a novel and
mod praiseworthy proposal. The company wish to establish
at all the stations on their lines savings banks for the use of
their eznploy6s, an arrangement which will doubtless be
found of advantage both to employers and employed.

The Daily Telegraph states that the Queen has sig.
alai her intention of opening Parliament in person. The
car aL ny to be observed will follow in all its details the pre-
cedent of lastyear, when the procession to the House of Lords
and th 3 reading of the Royal Speech were invested with the
dignity of "semi-state."
- -

- -
The Czar has;declin.d to accept an ()Mr made by
a number of rich merchants of St,. Petersburg to raise the
taxation levied from the guilds by voluntary grant. Ms
Majesty states in case of need he will call upon the several
estates and interests to increase their contributions. At the
present monr,nt no such need has yet arisen.

A Rnstchulc correspondent writes that everything
there wears a warlike appearance. Large quantitier, ct pro-
visions and munitions are arriving at the def nen,: -G-rts, and
the whole Mnssulman population is under arm. ffearly
120,000 men are assembled tbeie, and more are, he imps,
embarking at Smyrna, Constantinople, and Scutari.
The return of the Registrar-G-eneral for Scotland for
the eight principal towns of Scotland shows a diminished
mortality iu November. The 2,183 deaths registered in
November are 564 below the average for the corresponding
month during the last ten years,_allowance being made for
Increase of population.
Advices from Australia says that several daring
burglaries have been committed in the suburbs of Sydney. It
is stated that the robbers made use of some drug resembling
musk in odour, with which they appear to have fumigated
the rooms they entered, and which had the effect of tem-
porarily stupefying the occupants and brining about Un-
pleasant after consequences. •
A Renter's telegram from Teheran conveys the
intelligence that the Persian Government is attentively
watching events in,Europe, and that it is considered not im-
probable that the Persians will endeavour to occupy Bagdad
In the event of war.

At E iinburgh, last Thursday, the Earl of Mar an
Keine and Lord Balfour of Barleigh were elected represen-
tative peers of Scotland to till the vacancies created by the
death of the Marquis of Tweediale and of the Earl of Leven
and 11eIvi1le.

English artillerists are directing their attention to
the latest invention of Herr Krupp—viz., an armoured gun
which does away with the rec..ii of heavy siege, coast, and
naval guns. When fired, the new armour gun remains fixed
in its original position, so that when once pointed relaying
after every shot is entirely dispensed with and a rapidity of
fire-60 rounds in 16 minutes—is attained.
The executive of the English Sunday Closing
Association, encouraged by the majority of fifty-seven in
favour of Irish Sunday closing last session of Parliament,
has resolved upon a vigorous petitioning campaign seeking
the aid of all temperance organizations and Christian
Churches. A canvass of householders in the two hundred
towns and villages in England show over 885,C00 in favour,
and only 52,000 against Sunday closing.
The Grand Duke Nicholas, Commander-in-Chief of
the Russian Army of the South, has been lying for a week
past ill with an abdominal complaint brought on by a cold.
Up to Sunday night there was no improvement in his condi-
tion.
An inquest has been held at St. Thomas's Hospital,
London, on the body of Whomas Millington, aged 11 months,
who was scalded to death. From the evidence it appeared
the deceased's brother, aged three years, upset a large pan
of boiling water, and the infant was so trighttnily scalded
over its legs, chest, and face, that it expired when taken to the
hospital. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Complaint has been made in the French Chamber
that the cattle trade from Brittany to England had been re-
duced to a mere nothing, owing to the difficulties placed by
the latter in the way of the importation of Breton beasts.
The deputy who brought forward this matter was assured
that the French Government had endeavoured to establish
certain sanitary arrangements, with a view to satisfy the
Privy Council, and there was reason to hope that the trade
would be soon be revived.
The Rhode Island newspapers report that Mrs. Julia
Ward Howe conducted the Thanksgiving Day services at the
Unitarian Church in Newport. Her text was taken from the
story of the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not as
other men were. In her view, neither as a nation nor as
individuals can Americans properly thank God at ter this
fashion. We should rather, in view of his great gifts and
mercies, feel ourselves overcome with penitence, like the
publican, and cry, "God, be merciful to America, a sinner."
Mr. Frank Buckland writes in Land and Water,
under date Saturday :—"I understand that there is a very
laree whale jast now cruising off the entrance of Torbay;
that is pobanly. a fluter feeding on the pilchards which are
coming in in lage numbers. It anybody wants a shot at a
whale, now lathe time. I hape before the week 11 Out to
have the gentleman's head to cast."
The Sporting Gazette states that there is a likelihood
of another Polar Expedition being fitted out next summer.
It is to be a private undertaking, set on foot by the united
yacht clubs of the kingdom. E,ch yacht club has
guaranteed a subscription, and the scheme has advanced so
far that the distinguished geographer, Dr. Petermann, is
now in London for the purpose of consulting with the pro-
moters of the expedition on the belt route to be adopted.

A leading Paris grocer offers for sale small bits of
macaroni for use in soup which are stamped with the image
of Napoleon 111., instead of as ordinarily, with the le,t.rs of
the alphabet. When the macaroni swells the features enlarge
übtil the nose, moustache, and the profile of the late Emperor
stand out in startling relief.
Mr. Henry Coxwell writes concerning military
balloons :—lf the city of Paris experienced during a deeps.
rate emergency the priceless value of aerial communication,
who is to say that Constantinople may not be thrown upon
the like resource in less than six months from this date!
Secondly, if the Balkans are forced, what kind of look-out
Is there likely to be for observing the advance of a hostile
army? Thirdly, if England is compelled to draw the sword,
Is military science in this great country tally equal to the °c-
aution 2 If so, where are our war balloons?

At a literary society, comppsed of coloured folks, at
Memphis (Tennessee), the question as to which is the most
desirable travelling, by steamboat or rail, was discussed with
much Interest on each side. At the close of the discussion,
calls were made for "volunteer speeches." An old darkey
with great dignity mounted the rostrum, and with a look of
extreme wisdom addressed the audience thus :—" Ladies and
gentlemen, if you'se on de steamboat, and de biler busts,
whar Is you? And if you'se on do kars, and de engine runs
off de track, ditr you is "
- - - - -

,
The terrible catastrophe in the Brooklyn Theatre
has been followed by the issue of a memorandum to the
manager' of the London theatres by the Lord Chamberlain,
in which attention is called to the very serious responsibility
under which they must personally be held with regard to the
safety of the public in case of fire, and the importance to
them of carrying out the regulations for providing abundant
facilities of egress.
-

Wristlet parties are the latest. The ladies furnish
the wristlets, and each pair is numbered. One of each pair
with the number is put in a box and is sold to the gentlemen
by a committee, and corresponding wristlets with the num-
bers are worn by the ladies. The fun commences when each
gentleman buys a wristlet and finds the owner of the mate
to it, to whom he is to pay attention during the evening.—
Court Journal.

At the Chelmsford petty sessions the police reported
that five persons had been bitten by mad dogs in Chelmsford
and surrounding parishes; that four persons had destroyed
their dogs, and the owners of the others undertook to destroy
theirs. Tne bench instructed their clerk to publish an
cffi3lal notice warning people to beware of dogs, as a great
deal of canine madness is still believed to prevail In the
district.
A series of catastrophes occurred at Peterhead on
Saturday, the 23rd. In the morning a Norwegian brig, the
Sophie of Elolmstrand, s.ruck on the rocks and became a
total wreck. Not a soul was saved The barque A,ardie. of
Drammen, 400 tons, was wrecked at Rattrap Head. The
crew, 12 in number, were saved. Another foreign vessel
came ashore near the same place. The crew, seven in
number, were saved by the rocket apparatus. At st. Comb'
a Dutch galliot was lost; but the crew, four in number, were
taken off by fishing boats, About seven miles south of Peter.
head a barque, named the Palmetta, was totally wrecked,
with all hands. No information reapecting the vessel has
been learnt.

The Bombay Gazette of the 4th inst. contains the fol-
lowing items of inteliigence. Amongst the presents brought
from England by Sir Saar Jung for the young Nisam are a
handsome clock striking the minutes, an album containing
pictures of celOrated personages and pa'aces, a valuable
diamond ring, rick elks and velvets embroidered with gold,
a gold tea set, two marble tables, two singing birds, and a
number of watch charms and pendant!. Altogether, it is
said, the articles cost about 50,000r5. It appears that a
machine tor coining money was also brought for the young
Nizim. "A more appropriate present could scarcely be
given," says the Deccan Times, "and we should not at all be
surprised if the astute Minister took this way of gently
hinting to his master that the currency in his dominions re-
quires improvement."
Captain Tyler has reported to the Board of Trade
that the accident that occurred on the 22nd November to the
Pullman car express train from Si.. Pancras for Bc,tland,
near Sheffield station, on the Midland Railway, was clearly
caused by fhe failure of the fastening between the chairs and
the sleepers under the weight of an engine and tender
weighing together 70 tons when fully loaded. The accident
Illustrates the necissity of constantly maintaining in high
condition any portion of permanent way on welch trellis are
run at high speed.
The receipts for the three first quarters of the current
year on the 12,668 miles of French railways now open amonnt
to L 25,240,000, or £210,030 more than for the corresponding
period of 1876; hilt the averarze receipts per mile have some-
what decreased, being only £7BB per mile this year, as against
£3ll in 1875. In the year 1869 the total length of French
rattwasa open for traffic was 10 319 miles, the total receipts
£20,160,000, or £770 per mile, so that there has been an addi-
tion during the seven years of 2,319 miles ef railway, accom-
panied by an increase in the total receipts of £5,080,000, and
on the mileage aeoeipts of £lB.

The British Medical Journal says that notices have
been sent to all the metropolitan and provincial hospitals that
the attention of the council of the Royal College of Surgeons
of England having been drawn by the General Medical
Council to the defective character of the cerilficateirof pro-
ficiency in vaccination rereived by some of the licensing
bodies, khe council have resolved that in future the certifi-
cates of proficiency in vaccination to be received by the Col-
ldge shall be such as will entitle their holders to contract as
public vaccinators under the regulations at the time in force
of the Local Government Board. This new regulation will
take effect In the case of all eandidatea presenting them-
selves for the final examination, whether for the member-
ship or fellowship, on and after May 1 next.
An inquiry has been held in the Alfred Ward at St.
Thomas's Hospital, London, touching the death of Mrs.
Alice Mottished, aged 74, the widow of an officer in the Army,
who was burnt at her residence, No 9, Burnett-street, Lam-
beth. From the evidence of Miss Agnes Raw Union, grand-
daughter of deceased, it appears that on Saturday afternoon
witness left deceased sitting near the table On the return
of witness into the parlour she found the deceased lying on
the floor with her clothes in a sheet of flames. The fire was
extinguished by Mr. Rossiter. Mr. Reginald Maples, one of
the house surgeons, said he admitted the deceased into the
hospital on Saturday, the 15th. She was extensively burnt
all over her legs and body, and she expired on the following
morning. The jury returned a verdict of " Accilental
death.'

A contrast drawn between the British and Chinese
seemen, in a report by Consul Lay on the trade of Chef on, is
much to the disadvantage of the former. It is a noticeable
feature, he ea} s, that the crews of nearly all vesselsempleyed
on the coast, whether steamers or eeiling vessels, are eimezt
exclusively compcled of Chin:re. Tte only Europeans on
board a Railing vessel, for instance, are the captain, chief
me:e, anti a boatswain, the rust being Chinese. It is a very
rare thing indeed to see a British vessel there with a crew of
Englieh seamen on board. The reason for this is not so mach
what it might at first sigiat be supposed to be—viz., that
Chinese can be got for lower wages, the average rate of
wages for able-bodied seamen being AS 101. to Le a month—
as that shipmasters find less trout?le in dealing with them
than with Europeans. There is less of bringing them nefoas
the police-counts for drunkenness and disorderly condact, or
absence' without Iwo,

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