The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-02-07 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

A series of religious services kits been held at
Cardiff by the Earl of Cavan. On Tuesday he preached to
about 2,000 persons.
A firedamp explosion at Meissen, near Minden,
has caused the death of 17 miners, while four have been
seriously injured.
From Paris the death is announced, at the age of 72,
Itf C 4 roareior Aso th. ..0.11-krinsvp Etonapaa Oat,
and father of A. Paul its Cassagnac.
The Exhibition of the French Agricultural Society
In the Paleis de l'lndustrie, in Paris, attracts a large num!)er
of visitors. A very good show of cattle is brought together,
and the collection of poultry is particularly fine. The im-
plements and machines are shown in the open space at the
back of the building, most of the large English mikers being
represented.
President Hayes was recently arreoted in the
Washington Capitol by a zealous policeman. The President
had sat down on one of the seats in the Rotunda reserved
for ladies, awl on being requested to move, paid no atten-
tion, so the official at once arrested him and took him to the
guard-room, where the President's identity was soon estate-
much to his own amusement and the policeman's
horror.
The Agricultural Society of the County of Cork
have appointed a committee for the purpose of making experi-
ments with regard to potato culture, with the view of re-
commending to the agricultural class the best description of
seed for planting and the best class of manure On Saturday
at the monthly meeting of the Agricultural Society a com-
munication was received from the Commissioners of Educa-
tion, giving permission to have those experiments carried on
In the Cork Model Farm.
The fog of last Saturdry night was perhaps the
most disagreeable of all the fogs that have visited London
in this exceptionally foggy season. In some districts loco-
motion was not only difficult but impossible, so thick was
the darkness, so confusing the mist. Even in places where
the fog was not absolutely blinding, it was so dease that
cabs and omnibuses were driven on the foot pavements,
the drivers being unable to see above a few inches in front
of them.

-- -----
An epidemic of plenro-pnenmonfa has broken out
among the cattle of Eastern Switzerland, and the dairy
farmers of the district are in a state of great alarm. All
movements of cattle In the cantons of St. Gall. Thurgau, and
the two Appenzalls have been suspended by order of the
Federal Council.

The receipts on account of revenue from the let
April, 1879, when there was a balance of £8,915,756, to jay.
31, 1880, were £62,794,030, against £64,243,815 in the corre-
sponding period of the preceding financial year, which
began with a balance of £6,243 389 The net expenditure
was £89,755,483, against £70,453,339 to the same date in the
previous year. The Treasury balances on Jan. 31 amounted
to £1,402,462, and at the same date in 1879 to £2,216,277.

In London, on Tuesday evening, Lord Aberdare
presided at the fifty-sixth anniversary meeting of the Sir-
beck Literary and Scientific Institution, and after distri-
buting the prizes delivered an address on the progress of
educ.ttion. One of the speakers to a vote of thanks to his
lordship, while incidentally referring to his connection with
the Gladstone Government and alluding to the desirability
of his again serving the Queen under his former chief, if in
the course of events the Liberals again took office, was
Int6rropted by loud cheers as this hypothesis was being
made.

In Llndon last week 2,436 births and 2200, deaths
were ngistered. Allowing for increase of population, the
births were 51 below, whereas the deaths exceeded by 607
the average numbers In the corresponding week of the last
ten years. The annual death-rate from all causes, which
had been equal to 246 and 27 1 per 1,000 in the two prece3-
ing weeks, further rose to 31 3. The deaths included 11 from
small-pox, 33 from measles, 70 from scarlet fever, 10 from
diphtheria, 193 from whooping-cough,l9 from different forms
of fever, and 5 from dlariccs.

The j ,urneymen dyers at Bradford breve struck
work for a reduction of the hours of work from 60 to 54 per
week. An extension from 51 to 60 was made some months
ago when work was slack, and the men are now making an
effort to reduce the hours of work to what they had been
for some time previous to the reduction. The men, to the
number of 2,000, met on Monday, and declared their deter
mination to stand out. The master dyers also held a
meetibg, and it was resolved to maintain the hours of work-
ing at 60 per week, and to make no alteration in the wages
at present paid.
-

everel large organisations, including the Durham
Miners, the Cleveland Miners, the Northumberland Miners,
the Kent and Susses Agricultural Labourers, the Labour
Protection Lague, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Labourers'
Association various branches of trade societies, and a very
large lumber of metropolitan political associations, have
given their adherence to the movement for the promoticu of
Laud Law Reform, and a conference will be held on an early
day in London, for the purpose of agreeing upon a basis of
united action throughout the country. The conference will
be followed by a public meeting, at which the prozramms
of operations will he brought forward for ratification.
_ _

The correct get-up of a fashionable French dandy
of to-day, the Parisian tells as, conskts of a long black
overcoat reaching to the ankle, and ornimented with fur
collar and cuffs, Chfiviot tweed trousers, high waistcoat
showing one black pearl stud in the shirt, the collar upright
and meeting in front, yellow gaiters ova very pointed
shoes, chamois gloves stitched with blue, woollen gauntlets,
low-crowned silk hat with narrow brim, and scene with a
steel or silver knob. Men who respect themselves do not
wear flowers in their button-hole.

Mr. G. A. Sala, who is making a tour through the
United States, shortly after sailing from the shores of Erin,
deferentially asked an ancient mariner, who was swab:Avg
the Cunard steamer Scythia's quarterdeck, what he tbough
of the then weather outlook The reply of the ardent mtkr:ner
was oracular in its ambiguity, hut still it was mach to the
point, "Them as likes a good dinner,"
quo% he, "had tter
get it today."
Tuesday was the 73rd anniversary of the birth of
be
the Dake of Wellington, Lord-Lieutenant of Affd,dl;'
sex, who was born iu Harley•street, London, on
1807, at which time his illustrious fattier, the great
had just taken his seat in the House of Com ni"ead to
Member for St. Michael's. The present duke suecld
the title on the death of his father, which took P.`t,e'cd thane
Sept. 14, 1852, at the age of 83 years; and he Inbar!
the fifth
earldom of Mornington on the death of his notate.

earl, on July 26, 1.8-83.
"The severe weather which has brought winter
back to us brings pleasure of a healthful and wholesome
kind to those who are young and vigorous and free from the
petty cares of life; but is a messenger of want And suffering
and misery to thousands of unemployed poor; arid to the
elderly and feeble, whether poor or rich, it often brings a
last summons to depart. A crowded obituarY column is the
ot wanting to.
frequent memorial of Its power. it is 0
day. Tim wave has arisen and swept awaY ,ra%Y. every one
n A
of whom must have been a centre of private , affections and
have inspired personal regrets', while ot aew have filled
such a apace in public life that they can scarcely be allowed
to depart without a word of public recognition.,
Lord
Basshorough; tbe late Lord Chief Justice Brie ; Mr. John
wer,
Locke, the member for Southwark; and Mr. Edward Barry,
the architect and acadamiolau, e all bonottred ii nowt
eminent, in their several spheres, and it is', happily, rare to
have to chronicle the loss of such a combination to a single
day.'.—Yrom a leader in 2114 poem

When is a dog like an illogioal inference ?—Why,
when it don't follow.—Judy.

A member for Birnaingham'a favosrite adage :
Always look on the Bright side of ttdngs.—Fun.
A severe hurricane has occurred at Valencia.
causing considerable damage. It is feared that several ships
have been lost.

A. Chinaman has captivated an American belle in
San Francisco, who has horrified fashionable circles by an-
nouncing her engagement to the fascinating Celestial.

The unemployed of Brietol waited upon the Mayor
on Saturday, and asked him to start relief works or open a
distress fun& His-worship said he had no power to under-
take relief works, and no doubt their fellow•citizens would
read of the distress through the Press, and assist the
sufferers.

It is stated in a New Yorlutelep ram that the French
Minister in Washington has informed Mr. Evart!, the &ore.
tary of State, that France is In no way connected with the
Panama Canal project of IL de Lesseps, which is entirely
of a private character, and that she has no intention of
setting up a protectorate on the American continent.

An inquest has been held at Folkestone on the body
of a young German, who committed suicide by hanging. The
deceased has not been identified, but the initials "T. W."
were marked on his linen. Verdict, "Suicide while in a
state of temporary insanity."
Sir Dominic Corrigan, an eminent Dublin physician,
who received a baronetcy in recognition of his professional
services, died in Dublin on Sunday, after a long illness.
Sir Dominic was In the 77th year of his age. The title
descends to his grandson, a young man about seventeen
years old.

A singular accident occurred on the North British
Railway on Saturday to the passenger train which leaves
Edinburgh at 7.10 p.m. for Perth. When near Collessfe
Station the driving•rod of the engine broke, and, bursting
through the fire-box, killed the fireman, Charles
.51cDona1d,
and serimusly injured the driver, Donald Graham.

- -
A company has now been formed for the introduc-
tion of luminous paint. It is suggested that this paint
should be applied to the walls of cellars, ships' compart-
ments, powder magazines, and in any other situation where
theintroduction of more ordinary means of illumination is
difficult or dangerous.
- -

The School- Board of Leicester have adopted an
Important resolution with respect to the future treatment
of the wastrels. They have just completed the purchase of
a farm in the neighbourhood of Dastard, and have deter-
mined to utilise it for the purpose of industrial training.
The estimated cost of the project Is £20,000, and they have
obtained power to borrow the amount at reasonable rates
from the Loan Commissioners.

It is reported from Missouri that a meteoric skin
lately felt there, killing a man, and afterwards burying
itself En the soil to a depth of several feet. The atone was
the size of a bucket,

Some idea of the extent to which the silk•weaving
industry has grown in the United States may be gathered
from the fact that in Paterson alone about 12,000 hands are
employed, and that the annual product is valued at
£3,000,000.

At Greenock, early on Saturday morning, the com-
mon stairs of a large five-story tenement in Sugar House-
lane fell. The house was occupied by 38 families of the
.poorest class, who were mostly asleep at the time. A panic
ensued, and as fears were entertained of the safety of the
main building, the inhabitants were rescued by fire escapes
and by breaking through from the adjoining houses.

It is stated that the Duke of Bedford has informed
the Mayor of Dunstable that he will subscribe £lOO towards
the fund to be raised to compensate farmers for damages in
the event of the Easter Monday Volunteer review being held
in the neighbourhood of that town.

The Government have decided upon establishing
several stud farms for the purpose of breeding artillery and
cavalry horses.

"On Saturday Sir John Cowell attended the funeral
of the late Miss Emma Ward, of West hill Cowes, on the
part of the Qaeen. Her Majesty had made several inquiries
for Miss Ward during her illness. Miss Ward was univer-
sally respected and beloved for her great kindness and bene-
volence during her long life."—Court Circular, Feb. 2
The Empress of Russia left Cannes last Saturday.
Her Majesty, who looked very weak, ,was wrapped in rugs
and carried to the railway carriage In an armchair by two
Cossacks, Doctor &Urine never leaving her. The blinds
were then drawn down, and the Imperial train started very
slowly. The Grand Duke Nicholas and all the Russian
officers were In fall uniform, and saluted the departing
train. The strictest orders had been given to exclude spec-
tators from the station, an exception being made in the case
of the representatives of several large papers.
An official telegram received at Madrid announces
that a terrific hurricane has swept over the Philippine Is-
lands, causing great damage to life and property. Several
merchantmen, and also a Spanish gunboat were wrecked,
the latter going down with her crew.
The labour market continues to showi a steady im-
prowment, except in the building trades, which have In
many places been put back by frost and bad weather.
Generally the iron, coal, and allied industries are active, and
serious disputes between employers and employed, through
arbitration and otherwise, are not so common.

The Royal Geographical Society have received a
telegram from Mr. Chernside, at Mozambique, stating that
Mr. Thomson and his party, who have been sent out by the
Society, reached Bambe, at the south end of Lake Tan-
ganyika, on the 281 h of October. The distance from Lake
Nyasse is two hundred and fifty miles. The country,
says the telegram, is level, and the natives are friendly.

Intelligence received in Paris states that the ice on
the Loire began to break up on Monday, and, as the river ix
no longer flooded, no serious consequences are apprehended
from the dispersion of the ice-dam.
The death took place on Tuesday of the Rev, Henry
Moult), M.A., vicar of Fordington, In Dorset. His-name was
closely identified with the cause of sanitary reform, he
being the author of several pamphlets on drainage, water
supply, and the inventor of the dry-earth closets. He had
been ill only a week, and succumbed to a bronchial attack.
He had reached the advanced age of seventy-nine, lie was
a staunch teetotaller.

At a special meeting of the shareholders of the Cale-
donian Railway Company, amongst other business, a Bill
to be introduced into Parliament for the establishment
of an Accident and Life Assurance Fund for the Caledonian
Railway servants was approved of In answer to a question,
the chairman said in the case of those already in the service
of the company it was not compulsory to join the fund, but
it was considered advisable, in the interests of the parties
themselves, that all new hands should join the fund.
The North British Railway Company have officially
notified that they intend applying to Parliament in the en-
suing Scanlon for leave to introduce a Bill for an Act autho-
rising the company to restore and improve the communica-
tion by railway across the Firth or River Tay.
Wait Whitman, the American poet, who was re-
cently reported to be lying dangerously ill at his brother's
house in t. Louis, has now returned home quite restored in
health.

The Broad Arrow blare testimony to the great
benefits which have been derived by our soldiers from the
establishm, nt of coffee-shops in eonnection with the can-
teens in some of the large military centres.

An arch wlogist has discovered in a mortuary
chamber attached to the Capncin Church at Modena the
tombs of eight princes of the House of Este—among them,
Francis 1,, who died 1855 Almeric, his son, 1660; Alfonso
IV., 1682 Cardinal Rinaldo, of Este; Benedict Philip
Armand, 1750; and a son of Hercules Rinaldo, 1753.
Mr, Thomas Crump, a farmer, of thcombe, a few
miles from Maidstone, was using a cutting b-oa to cut hay,
when he inflicted a severe gash on his arm. He died a few
hours afterwads.

-
"I was telling the other day some anecdotes of the
late Bishop Wilberforce. Here is one story concerning him
which in 'various forms is well known, but which is worth
repeating for the benefit of those who mayn't have heard it.
When Wilberforce became rector of Brighstone, in the Isle
of Wight, he was waited on ley an old farmer, whose one
desire in life was to rent the glebe acre. Why / ' asked the
Bishop. 'Well,' said the old fellow, with a look of business
shrewdness, 'when t' other parson was here he used to farm
it histelf, and there being so little of it he always got in his
hay before anybody else. Then he clapped on the prayer
for rain ! ' " Whitehall ,Review
"Uncle Dick," the biggest locomotive in the world,
weighs sixty-five tons and is sixty feet long from head-light
to rear of tender. His boiler is twenty-one feet long,
cylinder twenty by twenty-six inches, and he moves upon
eight forty-two inch driving-wheels, against which a brake
pressure of seventy-five tons can be applied. The grades of
the Atchisob, Topeka, and Santa Fe road which he climbs
are so heavy in some places that one end of "Uncle Dick"
will often stand three feet higher than the other. And yet
this monster, rejoicing in h s strength, will rush up the
Rocky mountains with ton loaded cars behind him.
The International Conference- on the subject of
Arctic exploration, which has just met at Hamburg, has
decided to send out no fresh expedition at present for the
discovery of the North Pole. The general opinion was in
favour of gradual and cautious advance, and accordingly it
has been neAded that a chain of stations for observation
shall be formed and steadily pushed forward, so that by
degrees the Arctic regions may be thoroughly explored in
an ever narrowing circle as far as may prove practicable.
The Cnief of the United States Bureau of Stathtics
reports, on the authority of flllaLreturns, that the number
of arrivals at the port of New York in 1879 was 176,325,
agaluilt 14,695 in 1878. Of these 138,945 were immigrants.
against 81,505 in the preceding year. The remainder were
returned citizens of the Untied States, or sojourners.
The Marquis of Anglesea died on Friday (30th ult.)
at ht. London residence, of bronchitis. He was born in De-
cember, 1821, and succeeded his father in the title and I
estates in 1565. He married In 1845 the second daughter of
the late Mr. James Eversfield, of Denoe-park, Horsham, but
leaves no istnie Ile ia succeed( dby his half-brother, Lord
Henry Paget, who was born in 1835 The late Marquis was
well known on the turf, and his death will disqualify several
of his horses from running in varlotui races in which they
are entered.
In London, Mr. Stansfeld, MX., presided at a
lecture given on Saturday night In connection with the
College for Men and Women, Bloomsbury, by Mr. Sonneu-
schein on "Elementary Education at Home and Abroad."
The right hon. gentleman advocated the institution of a
State training College for elementary teachers, and also some
reforms in the Government system of grants for results
(wbieh was vtroogly condemned by the lecturer) and exami-
nations. It had now oecome rgently necessary, not only to
the educational progreas of Cie country, but to its viral,
Industrial, and trading interest, that they should not shirk
the question of educational reform.
Aocordinß to Intelligence from Si, Petersburg
received in i3erlin, a new revolutionary proclamation has
been circulated by the stgdents in the former city, oomplain-
leg of the oppressive measures taken against them and of
the system of education. The proclamation is considered
important, as showing the formation of a new party among
the students against the Government.

Furs are cheap this year in the two great market',
London and Leipzig, and yet, curiously enough, the great
fur compani,a the New Yodc Times tells us, report a
macelble Aling,off in their supply, which might be ex-
pected ti have produced a contrary effect. The wearing of
thlek woolled jackets aud ulsters, however, has mach super-
seded the ute of fur, and indeed It is fortuns.te that the
demand has slackemd, as the fur-bearing animals were
being dr,von out of existence, amid to obtain peltries in any
number ills now necentsry to extend the hunting grounds
close up to the Ale tic Circle. Tha American journal strenu-
ousl9 urges the wed of strict rules for the protection of
creatures, declaring that othtrwite the prices will becol
prohibitory.

th.
ne

On Monday th, dock c metables statiAled at St.
Katharine Docks, r‘co re red the body of Charles Brown, who
had been missing since Saturday evening. ,The deceased
was a coustable at the docks, and during the fog on Saturday
evening he was waking along the edge of one of the basins,
when he missed his footing and fell into the water. The
splash was heard by some other constables, but notwith-
standing that the drags were used and every means taken to
recover the b-dy, they were unsuccessful until Monday
morning.

Mr. Chatnixrlain, Preeident of the National Liberal
Federation, presideft at the annual conference held at Dm..
lington, and, in his opening address, justified the Liberal
Federation &Vein as a valuable organisation, and traced
the ohjicts ot the Caucus, one of which, he said, was to find
out the views of the majority, and to meet the feelings and
even the prejudices of the minwity.

An inquiry has been htld at Guy's Hospital touch-
ing the death of sir. Charles Inns, aged 58 years, a gentle-
man of Independent means, lately residing at East Dulwich,
who suddenly expired on one of tho platforms of the
London-bridge Terminus last Saturday afternoon through
the bursting of a bloodvessel, brought on by the denseness
of the atmosphere It was stated in evidence that the de-
coated was seen,by the physicians at the above institution
within five minutes of his falling to the ground; the Brighton
Railway Company having an ambultvree within easy access
of all their servants for the rpeedv conveyance of persons to the
hospital in cases of emergency. The coroner said he was very
pleased to hear that such an excellent arrangement existed
at that station. He added that he hoped the various rail-
way companies would take steps to have ambulances placed
at their principal stations in and around Loudon, as an in-
jured perpon's recovery depended in A great measure an the
way in which he or she as the case might be, was comma-us;
to the hospit,al. The jury esclartfdanutural ammo,
and returned a verdict of " _
gu ma. lex •
;.J 14

.111d-4-1.f:r1M13:1

Rosa Bonheur, the famous painter, has just received
the Leopold Cross of Honour from the King of the Belgians.
She is consequently the first "Chevaisdre " of tho Order,
which has never before been bestowed upon a wom
Such mild spring weather has been enjoyed by the
fortunate Americans during the past month, that in New
the birds singing
gaily York I
nt hteh
egtrraesess lost
Cgreneetnralapnadrskpring_iike,

-
"It is, I think, worth noting that the present Parlia-
ment, should Lord Beaconsfield be still installed in Downing.
street at its close, will be the first since the accession of Her
Majesty convened and dissolved under the auspices of the
same Prime Minister.—Whiteltall Revieta.

Lord Beaconsfield's health has greatly improved.
His lordship is able to attend to his Ministerial duties.

Speaking at Nottingham on Saturday evening, the
Duke of St. Albans said he was personally in favour of the
abolition of the law of entail, though he thought that a
poorer set of landlords could not improve their landed pro-
perty to the fullest extent.
The Queen and the Princess Beatrice and the mem-
ben of the household attended divine service at Whipping-
ham Church on Sunday morning. The Rev. Canon Duck-
worth preached.

The Prince of Wales, hack.; expressed a desire that,
in connection with the Norfolk County School, a larger
number of competitors for the Scholarships of the Royal
Agricultural Sodiety might be forthcoming from the sons of
tenant fanners, and especially from pupils of this school, it
has been resolved that steps should be taken to give effect
to his Royal Highness's wishes.

The Times says there is no truth whatever in the
report that Lord Lytton is desirous of leaving India, and
that 'there is a question of choosing his successor.
M. Ganahetta's favourite food consists of new-laid
eggs—at least, so says the Faris Figaro. Not common hens'
eggs, however, but the eggs of the lapwing are his pet
dainty; and as these birds are rare in France, M. Gam-
betta is stated to have rented a large furze-heath near
Osnabruck, in Hanover, where these birds will be specially
bred to supply his table.

The shipments of wheat from America to Europe
during the past week amounted to 214,600 quarters, of which
154,500 quarters were for the United Kingdom, and 60,000
for the Continent; and of maize to 143,000 quarter; of
which 43,000 quarters were for the United Kingdom. To
the latter destination were also shipped 34,600 sacks Sour.
The visible supply of wheat is now 20,750,000 bushels, and of
maize 12,250,000 bushels. .

Pontressa Bay, in the Lake of •Lugano, has been
covered with ice, a phenomenon, so far as Is known, without
precedent. Sledges and horses have been traversing daily
the Lake of Zurich in all directions, a circumstance which,
II not quite unexampled, is, at least, extremely rare.
Cremation is steadily increasing in favour in
Northern Italy. Within the last four years fifty cases have
taken place at Milan, and ten In the neighbouring town of
Lodi, while three fresh cams have already been reported
this month.

Canon Liddon occupied the university pulpit at
Oxford on Sunday, and in his sermon strongly denounced the
scepticism of the present day. He also made a touching
allusion to the late Mr. Philip Piney, whose conduct and
labours he pointed to as a pattern for the younger members
of the university.

The death returns in the city of St. Petersburg for
the week ending the 17th of January showed a very large
Increase in the number of deaths from infectious diseases,
the mortality thus occasioned being twice as great as usual,
or 19 per cent, of the total number of deaths during the
week. The Goias published an article upon the subject,
pointing to the necessity of taking timely measures to pre-
vent the spread of infectious disorders.
On Tuesday night a large meeting of ladies in con-
nection with the Women's Suffrage movement was held in
the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, Mrs. Duncan MiLaren
presiding. She alluded to the large assemblage as a proof
of the urgency of the demand of women for votes, and said
she thought they were not far from attaining it when the
two great leaders of political parties in the nation were so
much in sympathy with regard to the true position of
women.—Vicountets Harberton read a memorial praying for
the enfranchisement of women householders and ratepayers,
and this was adopted.

• It is a,sign of the times, and of the revolution that
Is impending in matters agricultural, that, in reply to the
offer of a prize of £l,OOO by the Government of South
Australia, no fewer than twenty-nine entries of combined
reaping and threshing machines have been made. Reaping
and tying machines are comparatively old and familiar
appliances, but a machine to reap and thresh is of necessity
a complicated apparatus, and the fact that so many examples
have been entered is a striking proof of the rapid march of
improvement.—Echo.

The ship Clyde, 1,140 tone. Captain Hoyle, char.
tered by the Agent-General for New South Wales, sailed
from Plymouth for Sydney on Thursday in last week, with
384 emigrant&

Lecturing on Sunday afternoon at St. George's
Hall, London, under the auspices of the Sunday Lecture
Society, on the subject of the "Social Uses of Automatic
Telegraphy," Mr. Matthew Macfie referred to the need
which existed for rapid communication by means of a
generally adopted system of automatic telegraphy, with one's
doctor in case of illness, with the nearest police-station in
the event of burglary, or with the nearest fire-engine station
when an outbreak of fire occurred. Concerning the latter
emergency he said that, whereas in Chicago there is one
point to every 870 inhabitants, from which an outbreak of
fire can be signalled, in London there is only one) point to
every 62,935
eLmoorrdialGHe George n Hijoanmdiolnto, nson
Thtreibpuritinzegganadt
cethre
l
tificates awarded to .scholars by the College of Preceptors
ast Christmas, argued that the instruction of every child,
11Mo.Pnd'ai yd,
whether of peer or peasant, ought to be regulated by the
length of time he could spend at school. To a large extent
it was not so regulated, owing very much to the system of
ant
beingtive
connected w
with
secondary
yts
cbhyoolsre,shneits.advisHieds
hearers ItelGoally
them to promote reform on this subject themselves, as he
was pretty confident that for many years to come no inter-
ference with secondary education would be attempted by
any party in the State.

As Master of the Stationers' Company the Lord
Mayor of London, on Tuesday night, entertained at a ban-
quet the members of that guild, and many other gentlemen
connected with the trade, among the guests being the
Right Honourable W. H. Smith, M.. 2., who, in returning
thanks for the toast of the Navy, said that the greatest pain
he had to endure as First Lord of the Admiralty was that of
being absolutely unable to grant admission to the navy to all
the brave lads who desired to enter it.

Overhead telegraph wires have multiplied in New
York to such an extent that it is very generally felt there
that development cannot be tolerated much longer. An
overhauling of the whole system has been made and plans
have been drawn up for carrying the greater part of the
various lines underground. There are about 5,000 miles of
telegraphic and telephonic wires in New York, and by far
the greater part of them are stretched over the housetops
and along the streets, which are disfigured by some 9,000 or
10,003 poles. It is proposed that three great trunk lines
shall be carried through the city from North to South, and
that from these main lines wires shall be carried through
the streets east and west,these subsidiary lines being carried
underground wherever there are more than twenty in a
street.

Count Moltke, in reply to a request that he would
use his influence with the Emperor William in order to
obtain a reduction in the German army, 1," written a
letter in which he says that neither Princes nor Govern-
mente desire other than to reduce the heavy military burdens
Germany is compelled to bear, but that a happier condition
of affairs cannot be attained until nations are convinced
that every war, even though victorious is a national mis-
fortune.

Signora Lanfranche, better known as the "Mamma
de Can" (the mother of dogs) has just died at Milan. She
had acquired, says Live Stock Journal, a great notoriety in
Italy through her affection for the canine race. She was BO fond
of dogs that she had as many as 200 or 300 in and about her
house ; and she was several times compelled to change her
residence owing to the complaints raised by her neighbours.
The has left the whole of her fortune to be vent upon
building hospitals for dogs in various parts of Italy.

Macmillan for February contains a paper of great
value and interest, being Cetywayo's account of the Zulu
nation and the war. It has been taken down from the lips
of Cetywayo by Captain J. Ruscombe Poole, who con-
ducted the ex-King from Zululund to Cape Town, and Is now
in charge of him there. The history and traditions of the
Zulus are handed down by word of mouth, and this chiefly
by the kings and indunas. But as Cetywayo is not capable
cf giving a long consecutive narrative, the narrative given is
the result of many weeks' interviews and Interrogation.

In London, on Monday, Dr. Hardwicke held an
Inquest at 26, Leinster•square, Hyde Park, on the body of
Mr. •Aldborough Henniker, Q.C., aged 58, who had died
from the effects of falling down the staircase at the King's-
cross Station of the Metropolitan Railway on the evening Of
the 19th ult. Mr. Richard Phillips, F R.C.S., stated that
the deceased was a tall man, and no doubt in going down
the statrcase he was seized with a Si, to which be was
subject, and fell, the injuries, which were very extensive,
causing death, Several witnesses on behalf of the railway
authorities proved that the staircase was safe, and that de-
ceased, in hurrying down to catch a train, appeared to
suddenly turn round, lose the use of his legs, and fall.
The jury returned a vezdict of "Death from accidental
causes."