The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-01-17 00:00:00

isallanenus

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL,

A SHARP CHICK—Lady Examiner: "Tell me what
is an average ? "—Child: "A thing to lay eggs on.
Mother says our old hen lays six eggs a week on an
average."—Fun.
AMERICAN AND CANADIAN FOOD.—The arrivals of
dead meat during the past week were considerably
below those of the previous week as regards beef and
mutton, though there was an increase in the number
of pigs imported. The Spain brought 150 head of live
cattle, and the steamers arriving with fresh meat in
the carcase were the Germanic, with 846 quarters of
beef and 250 carcases of mutton; the Indiana, with
1,180 quarters of beef, 103 carcase of mutton, and 188
carcases of pigs; and the City of Montreal, with 760
quarters of beef, 102 carcases of mutton, and 150 pigs,
making a total for the week-150 live cattle, 2,580
quarters of beef, 455 carcases of mutton, and 338 pigs.
MAKING ONE'S MOUTH WATER.—The Times has
been publishing some interesting statistics by Dr.
Reyer, in an Australian mining journal, on the subject
of "Straits tin," which has its deposit in the Bence
Islands. All this is very interesting, John Bull
knows little of tin in the Straits, but he knows a great
deal too much of straits in the Tin. If he could have
information how to get out of the Straits and into the
Tin he would be much obliged to Dr. Reyer. How he
would enjoy a run on the Banca Islands, with liberty
unlimited to draw on their deposits.—Punch.
A BRAVE DRUMMER.BOY.—Ameng the heroes of the
Cabul War must be ranked the drummer-boy of the
92nd Highlanders who refused to fall out on the march
to Cabul. As he was plodding wearily through the
sand of the Loger Valley an officer advised him to fall
out, but the reply came back prompt and stout, " Nae,
nae, I'll nae fa' oot till I've washed my hens i' the
.Caspian 1" The laddie's geography, it may be, was
rather at fault, but his heart was right enough ; and, if
the rumours now strengthening in India prove correct,
and the Army of Cabal marches next spring upon
Herat, the drummer-boy will be at any rate one step
nearer his Caspian. The rumours to which we refer
have, no doubt, come eastward from General Roberts'
camp, where it E. more than hinted that the programme
of 1880 has long been settled, and that Herat, vid
•Bamian, is to be the order of the New Year. Bandar,
sully. uv WCISI.
from Cabul, and, as a strategic centre, is beyond doubt
one of the very strongest positions in Afghanistan.—
Daily Telegraph.
THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS,—Young Farmer.
"Nice warm rain—bring things out o' the ground,
won't it ? "—Reprehensible Old Widower. "Don't
mention it! I've got two wives there already I"—
Punch.

ALL ALIICE.—An intelligent and observing Ame-
rican who has been spending several days in England
says that one of the objection, he makes to this country
is that the Queen's subjects, especially the educated
and refined, think, talk, and act just alike. If
"Quite right," " Yes, thanks,'' "No, thanks,'
'Great fun," Tremendously clever," "Fancy,
now," "Really, now," "I say," "Awfully jolly,"
"You know," • My dear boy,' "Do please," "The
proper thing." and a few other phrases, were taken
away from him, the American believes that he would
be reduced to absolute silence.

RARE RECIPE FOR THE NEW YEAR.—How to turn
people's heads. Come into church late with creaky
boots on.—Judy.
PHOTOGRAPHY UNDER WATER.—A remarkable dis-
covery has been made by Mr. William Morris,
photographer, of Gourock, by which he can photo-
graph underneath the water at a depth of ten
fathoms. Two of the negatives he has secured are
remarkably dietinct, but the others are rather dim
owing to defects in the apparatus, hut which he will
have improved. The camera is enclosed in a water-
tight glass case, suspended by the centre and enclosed
in a cover, which is drawn LOU after the camera—
which is fixed on a loaded tripod—has reached its
position. One of the views, taken in the bay fifty
yards west of the yacht Selene, shows a sandy
bottom, with a number of large boulders covered with
sea-weed, and an old anchor; and, in the shade, three
mooring cables belonging to small yachts close at
hand. When the weather calms down and the light
becomes stronger he intends to carry out his investiga-
tions with improved apparatus, when he expects is
achieve still greater results.—Glaspow News.

THE SEVERN TUNNEL WORKS.— One of the three
powerful pumps, each of which is capable of raising
150,000 gallons per hour, employed in endeavouring
to free the Severn Tunnel works from water, has
broken down, and it is believed that the contractor
will have to resort to the original intention of sinking
an ainshaft, as the divers have met with little success
in their search for the seat of the mischief. Since the
pumping commenced the water has been reduced 201 t.
to 401 t., but there still remain 3501 t. in the shaft.

CALIFORNIAN ADVERTISING.—A romance in real life
has just come to light within the past ten days. A
gentleman of this country, well known for his talents
and acquirements, left the Pacific Coast two years ago
for a tour in Europe to bury his bitter disappointment
at his rejection by a splendid beauty. During his
absence the lady rejected five other admirers. Reach-
ing home three weeks ago, the traveller determined to
try his self-command by calling upon his fair enemy.
As he began to mount the steps of the house, she came
up, returning from a walk. Their eyes met, he
raised his hat, and they entered the houso. Two
hours after, he went forth an accepted lover. His
hat was made by Herrmann, 336, Kearny-street.
A PASQUINADE.—It is very seldom now that the
lomatis make use of their old system ef expressing
public opinion by means of pre3quinades, but the other
day the attention of the people passing along the Via
Giulia was arrested by a writing, attached to the door
of the church, entitled "La Morte," which read as
follows :—" Madame Death,—Toe undersigned poor
unemployed workmen, having learnt that the Charit-
able Committee of Rome have undertaken to collect
means for helping them, in order that they may not
fall victims to your sister Hunger, beg that you will
delay your arrival at their hovels until the intended
relief shall have been collected, so that the same may
not be entirely useless, The undersigned, counting
upon your well-known courtesy, render you appro-
priate thanks.—THE POOR UNEMPLOYED WORKMEN."
"DISTINGUISHED AMATEURS."-1. THE ETCHER.—
(Who thinks the Royal Academy ought to let him
have a room all to himself.) Distinguished Amateur
(commendable for his dinners, his pretty daughters,
and his exquisitely-appointed studio) : " There ! It's
easy eaough to draw, my friend! I etched that study
in five minutcs I —but the biting in' has taken me two
years That's the seventeenth state of the plate! '—Oar
Artist (naturally anxious to make hinosett agreeable)
" Excellent ! awfully good! That black kitten pawing
the air in front of the parlour grate is most lifelike,
and the texture of your Persian hearthrag is simply
admirable !—I should know it anywhere !"—Distin-
guished Amateur: " Hearthrug I Grate ! ! Kitten! ! !
Why, that's a windmill on a heath, man—against an
evening sky! "—[Collapse of our artist; collapse of
pretty daughters; collapse of everybody except Dis-
tinguished Amateur.] —Punch.
PRINCE BISMARCK'S TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS.—
Towards the close of last year it was repeatedly stated
that Prince Bismarck was on the point of leaving
Varzin. According te a communication sent to the
National Zeitung by some one who is said to write on
the subject with authority, no statement of this nature
Is worthy of attention. It teems that when Prince
Bismarck is in the country he never lets any one know
his intention to return to Berlin until he has taken his
seat in the train. He then sends a brief telegram to
his family informing them that he is "off." ne
adopted this plan because he disliked the bustle and
excitement which used to be caused in his household
by the announcement of his approaching departure.
The correspondent of the National Zeitung adds that
the prolonged absence of the Chancellor from the
capital is net the result of the doctor's orders, and that
hfi health Is excellent.—Pa/i Mal Gazette.

A MEDISON-MAN.-It is reported that Mr. Edison,
the indefatigable American inventor, has just dis.
covered a combination of chemicals which he calls
" polyform," by means of which he has been com-
pletely successful in curing rheumatic and neuralgic
affections. It indeed he is thus able to heal us of our
bodily infirmities, the best thing Edison can do is to
change his name at once to Medison, and act accord-
ingly.—Fun.
THE FROZEN MEAT SHIPMENTS PROM AUSTRALIA
—The Sydney Morning Herald of 25th November
gives the following :—The Strathleven, the first vessel
which is to convey fresh meat to England, by
the Bell and Coleman, or indeed any other process,
was the scene of festivity on Nov. 20, She
was visited by about eighty gentlemen, amongst
whom were many leading mercantile citizens,
several members of the Queensland and New South
Wales Legislatures, and a number of representa-
tives of squatting interests. The visitors were shown
through the refrigerating chamber in which the meat
is being frozen, and in which the atmosphere is re-
duced to many degrees below zero, and the practical
working of the freezing process was lucidly explained
to them. The meat in its frozen condition, when it is
as firm as wood, was also shown to them, and the effect
of the refrigerating process on fruit, showing that
oranges and apples could be frozen as firm' as cricket
balls. Artificial snow and frost were also produced

for their gratification.
WOLVES IN ILUNGARY, —The Pother Lloyd men-
tions several cases of depredations by wolves. A band
of these animals passed through one of the suburbs of
Temesvar, destroying any animal whieh was not
housed. A clergyman who was returning home in a
sledge from a neighbouring town was beset by a pack
of wolves. He bade the driver make all possible speed;
but at a sharp turning the sledge was upset, the
clergyman was thrown out, and torn to pieces before
the eyes of the terrified driver.—ln a country village
a few wolves came boldly at mid-day into the inn yard
and devoured an ass; and at Szalouta a shepherd was
killed and eaten as he was passing along the road at

night. _
A FOUNDLING,-At the meeting of the Mile-end
Old Town Board of Guardians the other day, the
master of the workhouse reported that a female child,
about two years of age, had been left on the doorstep
of the workhouse. The child was decently clad, and
with it wps a letter asking the guardians to take care
of the end, and stating that she would be called for
in about six or eight months' time. The little one
could talk a little, but not with sufficient coherence
for anything to be made out of it. She could also
walk, and the reason she did not run away was because
the bell was rung and the porter responded, and, find-
ing the child on the step, looked about, but could not
see any one. The guardians, after commenting upon
the heartless character of the desertion, resolved to
. .

advertise for person who left the child on the step.
A FLOWER WEDDING.—In Pane there were not
a few weddings in high life last month (says the Court
Journal). One of the moet interesting was a wedding
at which there was a great profusion of flowers; one
would have thought summer had come back again.
The bride wore orange blossoms, not only in her hair
and upon her dress, but even upon her satin slippers.
The marriage jewels were enclosed in a case formed
of natural flowers; the sides were made of the firm
buds of the Marechal Niel roses, crossed with a line of
tea-roses; the cover was composed of splendid white
roses • in the centre the initials of the bride were
formed of Permese violets; the inside was lined with
white satin, The fan was of sprays of lilies of the
valley and white heather blossoms, with the delicate
foliage of the tamaris, spread out, and the stems joined
together by a bow of white satin.
Mn. SPURGEON'S HEALTH.—The Rev. C. H. Spur•
geon continues to improve in health. He intends re-
maining at Menstone until towards the close of this
month, by which time he expects to be throughly
recovered. On Sunday morning the services at the
Metropolitan Tabernacle were conducted by Mr, C.
Spurgeon, jun., and the following letter was read from

the pastor :
"To my beloved Church and Congregation.—D ear friends,
—I have great pleasure in hearing of the success of the
various special meetings. The Lord will, I trust, make up
for my absence sevenfold by abundantly blessing the two
brethren who are labouring BO earnestly amongst you. I
fervently pray that it may be so. It is forced upon me to be
away from you. It would be far greater pleasure to be shar-
ing in the holy Rat you are now carrying on with so much
vigour and spirit. I trust I shall recover in time to gather
up the spoils. Our weather continues to be bright and
warm, like one unbroken summer, and this is the best of
medicine. Already, by God's grace, it has healed a mind
depressed, and it is making rapid restoration for a body
pained and weakened. In a short time I hope to see you
lace to face —Yours evsr most heartily, C. H. SPURGEON."
THE HAWKING OF MINERAL OILS.—The Practice
of supplying persons, in country districts especially,
with mineral oils for domestic use from carts and vans
prevails to a great extent throughouethe kingdom. In
some districts in Kent attention has recently been
called to the fact that the Sale of Explosives Ac'
renders the proceeding, as carried out, illegal,
as these oils can be moved about only in bottles
securely fastened, containing a small quantity each,
the aggregate bulk not to exceed three gallons. In
these circumstances, applications have been made by
persons interested in the sale of these oils for magis-
trates' licences in respect of carts and vans for the
storage of the articles in a manner similar to that for
storage upon premises. The clerk of the peace for the
county, however, who has been consulted in the
matter, has recently given an opinion that the Act
contemplates licences being given to persons only in
respect of fixed and permanent places of storage, and
that a movable vehicle, like a cart, cannot be con-
sidered as coming within the meaning of the word
"premises," This decision has already influenced
several magisterial benches, and the general opinion
seems to be that, unless the existing law is altered or
modified, immense inconvenience will result through-
out the country, not only to sellers, but to buyers of
et........e.x01.-sumel o.vtiolea
NEVER !—Three old gentlemen are sitting round a
table on a steamboat waiting to get another party to a
game of cards, Presently they espy a nice-looking
young fellow. One of the party goes up to him and
says: "Pardon me, young man, we want somebody
in a game of cards; would be happy to have you with
us." "Thanks, I never play cards.' "Take a drink
with us ?" "Thanks, I never drink." "Well, have
a cigar ?" " Thanks ; I never smoke." "Eh ! Now I
rather like that in a young man. Come into the cabin
and I'll introduce you to my wife and daughters."
" Thanks," said that demure young man, "I shall
never marry."—Pomeroy's Democrat.
MILL-STONES —Millers are probably almost the only
persons who know what a large amount of learning is
necessary to enable a man to distinguish between a
good and a bad mill-stone, A scientific writer gives
in the Gonstitutioenel a long and elaborate account of
the way in which these useful appliances are made,
and of the materials it has been found best to use in
the manufacture The amateur who braving
the discomforts of the ascent, climbs into a flour-mill
and looks with buperficial interest on the revolving
cheeses of stone perhaps thinks that any quarry
abounding in good hard rock would furnish a capital
mill-stone. Let such a careless person learn that
neither the calcareous nor the sandstone formations,
though they are employed for the purpose in many
countries, make really good grinding stones, inas-
much as they crumble more or leas as the process of
grinding goes on and give off a powder which mixes
itself with the flour, and affects both its colour and
its taste, The best stone of all is a kind of quartz,
made up of almost pure Ellice, having generally
a pale tint of red, or grey, or white, and containing
occasionally some fossils of animals or fresh water fish.
The most admired of all the qualities is said to be
found at Fertd-sous-Jouarre, in the Seine-et-Marne
depertment, a few miles from Paris; and from the
quarries at this place supplies of the far famed mill-
stones are sent, not only all over France, but also to
many other European countries, and even to America.
One of the most troublesome of operations to which
the mill-atone has to be from time to time subjected,
after it is made, is the re-cutting of the small-grooves
which are always made all over its working surface.
No machinery has yet been found to do this so well
as it can be done by band, so that there is a chance
for some inventor to disoover a convenient, apparatus
for the purpose.—Globe.
RIDDLE icueous.—When is the bloater you eat at
breakfast like a boat-race? When it is a hard-rowed
one. A-ha I—Judy.
A GERMAN OFFICER'S OPINION.—The other day,
Baron von Miinchausen, Captain in the Prussian
General Staff, delivered a lecture before the Association
of Science, entitled "The English in South Africa in
1878-9." In the course of his lecture, the Baron
said :—" England is accomplishing in South Africa a
great work of civilization. No power in those parts
of the world is able to resist England for any length of
time. With unrivalled skill England has accom-
plished her task of culture, both in the Cape and
in Natal, England had in this work been ably sup-
ported by German missionaries. But the Caffres have
up to this time resisted any attempt at civilizing
them, as they imagine that to be Christianized is the
same as being conquered. England, however, tries
more and more to surround the Caffre tribes. In
1868 Basutoland, and in 1877 the Transvaal were
annexed."—The lecturer also expressed his opinion
that, in spite of all difficulties, England would success-
fully carry out her programme on the coast of South
Africa. All the scientific bodies which were trying to
explore Central Africa accompauied the advance of
the English forces with the greatest sympathy."
ROYAL VISIT TO HUGHENDEN. •—• The Prince of
Wales travelled to Wycombe on Monday afternoon
in order to pay a visit to Lord Beaconsfield at Hue-
henden Manor. Though the visit was of an informal
character, some preparations were made by the station
authorities for the occasion, the booking office having
been carpeted and transformed into a reception room,
A few spectators, principally ladies, were admitted to
the platform, and a large crowd gathered in the etation
yard. The Prince was received by Mr. Montagu
Corry, Lord Beaconsfield's private secretary, and the
party proceeded at once to the marriage in waiting,
amid a hearty demonstration of cheers, which hie
Royal Highness acknowledged.
The other visitors at
M of Salisbury, Lord
Hughenden are the argate
Rosalyn, Sir W. Hart Dyke, 1‘1.P.. and Mr. Bernal
Osborne, Colonel Teesdale wee in attendance upon the
Prince,
A BIG WESTERN EAI3BIT HUNT.—The Salt Lake
City Herald gives the following account of a stirring
hunt after jack-rabbits on the plains, in which hunt
sides were chores"and a good deal of betting, as
well as chaff indulged in as to which team would come
,
er
out ahead at the end of the hunt. This reading may
seem like slaught out of the land of the battue. The
rabbit-hunts returned on the freight train last even-
ng withbringieg them to the city 741 dead jacks. The
whole n
timber, as near as could be estimated (ef course
unpoesible to give the exact figure), was 1,015,
it wheawsay it come about was this: As soon as the party
reached the hunting grounds, C. E. Wallin and G. A.
Black were chosen leaders to select the sides and the
arty divided into two squads numbering fifteen each.
. ilaall3', Messrs Harkness anti Hill were chosen see
he respective captains, and the slaughter commenced.
he line had not been formed twenty seconds when a
lively fusilade commenced, and continued from the left
to thu extreme right wings of the shot-gun army.
tray shots were very plentiful, and as a number of
hem found targete in the legs of one or the other
f the hunters, the line became demoralizel, and
ikireniehing became the order of the day. The shooting
was inceesaut, and the din continued until noon, when
the boys repaired to the :seotion-house to CObra up and
count jacks,

wing
• of

THE NATIONAL THRIFT SOCIETT.—The follow
resolutions were adopted at a committee meeting
this society, held on Monday evening at the London
offices, 14, Finsbary-circus a—" 1. That those inte-
rested in the extension of thrift and the various
means for its development be invited to attend at the
society's conference, to be held at the Mansion House,
on the 27th inst., under the presidency of the Right
Honourable the Lord Mayor ; 2. That large employers
Of labour be communicated with for the purpose off
establishing on their premises savings-banks for the
employs; 3. That deOts be formed in various
quarters of London where the society's thrift literature
for gratuitous distribution can be obtained; 4. That
prizes of the value of £5O be offered for the best essay
on the subject of thrift and its development among
the working classes of this country, and that a special
fund be raised for this purpose."
THE PIONEER RACKET.—" Yes, gentlemen," said a
seedy looking customer with a long beard, who had
rung in on a party of tourists in the Baldwin bar-room,
the other evening', "I was the first white American
that ever set foot on the :'-
ite of San Francisco. Many
the night I've roasted beare:f ak for supper and slept
with the sand for a blanket righi.here where this hotel
now stands. I owned the entire cbCutrY clear down
to San Jose and I traded the whole bmjnese one day
for ten pounds of tobacco." "Five pounds :" Put in
the bar tender sternly. "I guess I know how 0.71411.7
pounds," said the oldest inhabitant, somewhat abasheu.
" You said five pounds last night," retorted the bar
keeper; "and I've told you mor'n fifty times that if
you intend to work the pioneer racket in this 'ere bar,
you must stick to the same story. If you don't I'll
let Joe Barker work the house instead; you hear
me?" And the relic of the good old Argonautic days
drifted sadly off to the lunch-counter.--San Francisco
Post. _ _

EXCUSES AND INVITATIONS.—Some curious things
have been written in response to invitations, or con-
veying the invitations themselves. A man of letters,
travelling in the United States, responded to a literary
lady's invitation " to meet some minds at tea" at her
house, by expressing his sorrow at being prevented
from doing so through having already promised to
meet some stomachs at dinner. Whether his
excuse shocked American modesty, we do not
know; he would have been set down as a very
rude man by the English farmer's daughter
who, in acknowledging a feminine friend's invitation
to go with her to the races, wrote on behalf of her-
self and her sister "The energy of the races prompts
me to assure you that my request is forbidden, the
idea of which I had awkwardly nourished, notwith-
standing my propensity to reserve. Mr. T. will be
there. Let me with confidence assure you that
him and brothers will he very happy to meet
you and brethere. We girls cannot go for reasons.
The attention of the cows claim our assistance in
the evening."—An impecunious nobleman once dee
dined an invitation to dinner for very pressing
reasons. His note was concluded in the following
terms: "I cannot express my regret that it is quite out
of my power to dine with you. And you will pity me
when you hear thet lam in bed. A rascally creditor
has had everything I possess taken from me. I must
remain in bed till my lawyer comes, as I have not a
coat to put on. This is the reason, dear Lady Cork,
I cannot dine with you."—U. S. Globe.
"DE PROFUNDIB."—Pat (after a sip). "An' which
did ye put in first—the whisky or the wather ?"
Domestic, "The whisky, av coorse."—Pat. " Ab,
thin maybe I'll be coming to 't bye-'n-loye I "—Punch.
GORSE FOR LIVE STOCK.—Some time ago, in point-
ing out the merits of the gorse for cattle food (says the
Graphic), we added the warning that it would be
necessary to go to the trouble and expense of bruising
it before giving it to cattle. We are now happy to say
that a soft variety, known as the Irish gorse, has been
brought under our notice, and that this requires no
bruising. It grows well on poor soil, especially the
light dry soil which is found in many parts of Bent
and at parts all throughout the South and East of
England. The common gorse should be sown about
Lady Day, the seed drilled in, and weeds carefully
rooted out. The rows should be nearly two feet apart.
The Irish gorse should be propagated from cuttings
made in August, and placed in a sheltered position
until time for transplanting in the August following.
Dairy cows are greatly benefitted by gorse food.
THE GERMAN CENSUS.—This year the quinquennial
comma of Germany will be taken, The expenses of
the enumeration in the city of Berlin are estimated at
40,000 marks (22,000), and this sum has been inserted
in the municipal budget for 1880.
FORTHCOMING FUN.—A Collection of Saottish Pro-
verbs. By Saw.ney.—Purich-
No JoKE I—A. day's work with Herr Wagner is no
joke, to judge from the amusing account given by the
New York Christian Union, the result of M. Ruche,
the librettist's, experience, Herr Wagner joined M.
Roche at seven a.m., and they worked without intermision until mid-day, Roche bending over his desk,
writing and erasing, Wagner striding to and fro, bright
of eye, vehement of gesture, shouting, singing, striking
the piano, and constantly calling out, "Go on, go
on !" An hour or two after noon Roche, quite
exhausted, let fall his pen. "What's the matter?"
asked the,compoeer. "I am hungry." " True ; I had
forgotten all about that, Let us have a hurried snack
and go on again." Night came and found them still
at work. "I was fairly stupified," says M. Roche;
"my head burned, my temples throbbed, and I was
half mad with my wild search after strange words to
fit strange music, He was as erect, fresh, and vigorous
as when he began, walking up and down, striking his
piano, his eccentric shadow, cast by the reflection of
the lamp, dancing on every side, as he cried to me
ever, Go on, go on ! ' while trumpeting in my ears
cabalistic words and stipsrnatural experience!."
A BISHOP'S WORK.—The following statistics from a
Bishop's work book for 1879, in what is described as
by no means an exceptionally heavy year, show that
the episcopal chair is not one of ease :—Sermons
preached, 89; clergy ordained, 50; churches con-
secrated, 4; churchyarda consecrated, 2; churches
opened, 23 • confirmations held, 63; candidates cons _
firmed, 7,211 ; speeches at public meetings, 40; other
addresses given, 152; committee meetings attended,
46; interviews, 474; letters received, 6,744; letters
answered with his own hand, 4,529.
THE RAINFALL or 1879.—The Times says that dear.
jog the past twelve months the yield of rain and snow 1
amounted to 33in. which is more than 9in, in excess
of the average of the, same period, and is some 3in.
over the depth registered in 1878. More than a third ,
of the total quantity fell during the months of June, '•
July, and August. In each of these months the
amount was above 4in., the highest monthly total for
the year being 4.88 in. in August. For the last quarter
very little has fallen, the yield only reaching 2•251 n.
The smallest monthly fall was 0 70in. in September,
and the largest amount in 24 hours was that of 1•781 n.,
which occurred during the night of May 28-29.
DEATH OF A VETERAN.—On Saturday, at Bath, the
death was announced of M. Jean &outs Gardie, of
Westgate-buildinge, at the age of BE. Gardie, who
was born in Paris was by profession a chaser in bronze,
but in early life he volunteered into the 2nd Regiment
of the Voltigeurs of the Young Imperial Guard, and,
under Napoleon 1., paesed through the campaign of
1814, being severely wounded at the battle of Laon.
M. Gardie was an artist of ability, and assisted Count
d'Orsay for 15 years in the production of his works in
bronze.
WITHERING.—DriII Sergeant (to Young Recruit,
having extra drill) : "Stand at ease"—"'tention "
"heyes right"—" heyea left"—(wrong agin)—" bass
you were " ; and it's my opinion "ham you were,"
"bass you is," and "heats you'll be" through all
etarnity.—Judy
THE WRONG TICKET !—An American traveller
gives the following hit out of his autobiography, the
whole of which will shortly appear, price ten dollars. '
As the train leaves the depOt a young man leant over
the back of my seat and asked me what I paid for my
ticket. I tell him and he chuckles. He bought a
ticket of a scalper, and is a dollar and a half ahead of
the railway company. He pities me because Ido not
know how to travel, and I blush and feel cheap in the
presence of his superior sagacity. The conductor
comes along. He punches my ticket with a ready,
' unquestioning acceptance that makes me a honest
man, and I feel proud. He takes the shrewd young
man's ticket and gazes at it with awful scrutiny.
"Where are you going?" he asks the young man.
.The young man gazes at him with the unflinching
glance of a citizen who knows his rights and the rail-
road law. "I am going to Indianopolis," he said, de-
fiantly, "and that ticket is good until it is used." "Cer-
tainly," replied the conductor, apparently greatly ter-
rified by the young man's defiant attitude, "of course it
is, but it is to be used on its own road, and as this is a
Wabash excursion ticket of last summer, from Peru to
Lafayette you'll have to get on a Wabash train and
go to Lafayette to use it. Fare please.' And the
young man read the ticket carefully, and paid his fare,
and planked down the extra ten cents, for having no
ticket. He has gone into the smoking car now, and
has his head out of the window, but I can hear him
swearing with startling energy and appalling grammar.
THE FROST AND VIGETATION.—The damage to
vegetation by the frosts with which the winter com-
menced, has now become painfully apparent in the
whitening of the leafage of evergreen trees, and the
apparent death of many eubjects that until now have
appeared unhurt. We fear the spring will reveal a
very large amount of loss. For the present we advise
that the unsightly means of blanched leafage on ever-
green trees be left untouched. It will at least serve
to protect the sound wood that may yet be left in the
event of another severe frost, It will be early enough
to prune the trees when the spring is somewhat
advanced.—The Gardener's Magazine.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR ON CHURCH MISSIONS.—
The Lord Chancellor presided at the annual meeting
of the Bournemouth branch of the Church Missionary
Soc ety, on Monday, and said the end they had in
view in holding meetings of this kind was twofold—
objective and subjective. As regarded the first, their
ch hire was to show their fellow feeling with and
interest in those devoted men and women who
foreouk country, kindred, friends, and ease to go into
the remotest part of the earth and spread the
knowledge of the Gospel. Nothing could be
more refreshing to the hearts of those men
and women than to know that they were not
forgotten by those at home. The subjective end
of these meetings was that they heard of the
progress of mission work throughout the world, and
he was bound to say there was nothing upon which
they required to be instructed more than upon this.
There were many works at home which we were in-
terested in. We were anxious for the relief of distress
and of poverty, and we were anxious also to promote
the spiritual good ef our fellow-countrymen, but these
were matters the pressure, the exigency, and the
strain of which were ever forcing themselves upon
our attention, and there was, therefore, little danger
of our forgetting them or misunderstanding their im-
portance. But the operations of this Society were
conducted in all parts of the world. They were of the
most extended and complicated descsiption, and it
was absolutely necessary that those who were asked
to supply the funds should be put in possession of the
fullest information. His lordship, in referring to the
origin of the society eighty years ago, and to the diffi-
culty of first obtaining missionaries, said that when at
lest. two Germans volunteered to go out they were
sent to Sierra Leone, where they worked for eighteen
years without making a single convert. . Sierra Leone
Was now an Important mission- station, with a native
church containing over 5,000 communicants, a strong
native clergy, and colleges and schools.

THE TAY RIDGE DISASTER.
Writing on the nth fro—ni Dundee, the Correspondent
The Ttioves says :
" The search for bodies is being carried on with un-
dihninished activity, and the public interest in the
disaster continues unabated. To-day and yesterday'
more than 60 small boats and a large steam lighter,
',equipped in a most complete manner for tho work,
have been employed in the grappling operations; but
The efforts of the crews have been attended with very
little success. Only three additional bodies have been
found, making the total recoveries 25. The river to-
day is calm and favourable to the prosecution of the
search. Although the atmosphere is exceedingly cold,
crowds numbering several thousands of persons have
assembled on the Esplanade and at the Docks; and
have remained for hours eager spectators of the move-
ments of the blats.
"The following are some particulars respecting
those whose remains were found yesterday and to-
day :—Yesterday, shortly after ten o'clock, a whale-
boat under the charge of James Lyon brought to
the surface the body of a young man about 500
yards east of the third pier. On being brought to
the mortuary it was ienmediatel-r identified, by
means of a photograph, and sled by papers found in
the pockets, as that of DA
The deceased, :sd Cunningham, aged 20.
In a mae°,:, by trade, had been employed
the erection ot the Dundee Lunatic Asylum.
On Saturday
th
ja Loch- e 27th, Cunningham left his lodgings
--ee, with a fellow-tradesman named Robert
Both men belonged to Fifeshire' their parents
residing a few miles from Newport, and they had been
in the custom of spending Sunday at home. The
identification of the body was confirmed by the
sister of the deceased, who resides in Newport.
"About half-past twelve o'clock the crew of the boa
Star of Tayport, under the command of Mr. James
Duncan, hooked the body of a man about 300 yards
east from the third broken pier on the south side, It
wae brought ashore shortly after one o'clock and laid
out in the mortuary. Nothing was found in the
Pockets to lead to the identification of the remains,
but from the description furnished to the police the
body was believed to be that of John Lawson, a
plasterer, who was travelling from Newburgh to
Dundee. Lawson, who was twenty-five years of age,
hasleft a widow and two children. A sister of Law
Son's called in the afternoon and identified the body
NI that ot her brother. He had been out of work for a
„'oog time and had just obtained employment at
lay/port.'
At eleven o'clock to-day a volunt,er boat, in charge
of William Blyth, came upon the body of a man half a
mile east of No. 4 pier. From letters and other docu-
ments found in the pockets the remains were iden-
tified as those of Robert Frederick Byrne, clerk in the
Royal Hotel, Dundee. His watch had stopped at
„
34- The deceased had been on a visit to his father,
who resides in Edinburgh. He was married, and only
22 years of age.
"In the course of yesterday and to-day the body of
a woman was observed floating past the Esplanade,
but before a boat could be got ready it had passed out
of eight. The bodies of Walter Nees, Alexander
Robertson, George Johnston, James Foster Henderson,
Slid the boys Macdonald and Watson have been
bied; Ness, who was a member of the Dundee
—"glierY Volunteers, with military honours. Four
ladies' hair-combs were picked up. yesterday. Decom-
Position has made some progress in the more recently
recovered bodies. This afternoon a body was hooked,
but got off the irons. The bonnet, a Balmoral one,
Was recovered. Among other things found were a
gentleman's silk umbrella, a lamo and lampholder, the
seat of the guard's van, and the engine-driver's oil
can.

``lt will be learnt with some pleasure that the Wear
Commieeioners' diver Watts, who assisted in the ex-
Ploration of the carriages of the train, refuses to
accept any reward for his services.
The North British Company are making prepara-
tions for rebuilding the bridge.'

In continuation of his reports, the Dundee Correspondent
°I The Times. writing on Monday, says
"The existing arrangements for the search of the
river are now regarded as unsatisfactory. All admit
that the crews of the volunteer and other boats have
worked nobly, but the impression gains ground that
the grappling appliances at their command are not so
efficient as they should be. It is supposed that the
bodies are covered over with sand, and the North
British Company have accordingly decided to equip
two or more steam vessels with grappling irons of such
weight as would plough up the bed of the river to the
deth of a foot or so.
'Fewer boats have been out to-day, and only one
'9°4 has been recovered—that of Robert Fowlis,
a stonemason. The deceased, who was only 20 years
of age, was unmarried, in the company of a fellow.
tradesman, he left his lodgings in Lochee on Satur-
day, the 27th of December, to spend Sunday with
his friends in Fife, The body was recovered 200
Yards east from the third broken pier. In one of
the pockets was found a letter from his sweetheart.
The deceased was the chief support of his mother.
"This morning, in pursuance of the instructions of
the Court of Inquiry, Captain Robertson, with Fox,
the diver, visited the scene of the disaster. The steam
tti,g Unity was engaged, and the bridge was reached
:wont seven o'clock. A pontoon having been
made fast to No. 5 broken pier from the south
Bide, Fox made several descents to the bed of the
river. In the course of his examination he
found that the north end of No. 5 and the
south end of No. 6 girders are all broken. A
great mass of iron, evidently broken from the
damaged girders, is lying in the channel of the river,
but in such a confused heap that the diver could
niade nothing of it. About 50f I. south of No. 5 pier a
girder was found broken right across. In the neigh-
bourhood of No, 3 pier a girder was found broken in
seven places, within less than 100 ft., at dead low
rater. Parts of the fallen girders between Nos. 1 and
0 Piers on the south side rise above the surface
_ `Mr. John Waddell, who has received the contract
i_or the raising
poundee arrangements
the sunken girders, has been in
to-day making the necessary
!.r commencing operations. A good deal of (Macre-
son has been left with Mr. Waddell and others who
21!?: imPerintend the work in regard to blasting,
a general instruction has been given that the
girders shall not be broken up more than is found
necessary. .
beginning will, it is at present intended, be made
at south side of the gap, and the girders will be
raised in their order, one after another. The fourth
and. fifth, in which the wreck of the train is understood
to he, will be taken in turn."

Writing from Dundee on Tuesday night, the Correspondent
Of The Times says :
Of "Today the North British Company made a trawl
01 a considerable portion of the bed of the river to
the eastward of the fallen girders. The tug Unity was
employed for the purpose, and attached to a spar,
401 t. long, wire fifteen heavy grappling irons. The
result of the trawling operations was the re-
covery of one body about 300 yards east of the
third broken pier. It was identified as that of Wil-
liam Veitcb, a cabinet-maker, 18 years of age. The
deceased, who was the son oiNathaniel Veitch, gas
inspector, Dundee, went on a visit to his grandfather,
Who resides at Cupar, on the Saturday evening, and
was returning home when he met his death. His left
leg had been broken and decomposition had made
some progress.
"A few small boats were again engaged in the
Beard's and they were successful in getting hold of
two bodies late in the afternoon. The first was found
about 300 yards east of the second broken pier
on the south side, and was brought ashore by a
Whale boat, under the charge of David Wood. It
Was identified as that of David Macbeth, the guard
of the ill-fated train. Macbeth's eyes were fixed
and staring, and his features were firmly set, as if he
had met with instantaneous death while at his post in
the van. In none of the other bodies recovered were
the eyes open. The deceased, who was 44 years age,
was unmarried, and lived in Dundee. tle had been a
guard between Dundee and Edinburgh for many
Years, and was well known and highly esteemed.
The exact time the accident happened is shown by
his watch, which had stopped at 7.15. The second
body, that of George Ness, was found by a boat
under the charge of James Cummings, about 400
yards east of the second broken pier. Ness, who was
a cleaner in the locomotive shed at the Tay-bridge
station, had been staying over the Sunday with his
family at St. Andrew's. He has left a widow and one
child. He joined the train at Leuchars, and travelled
on the engine, Twenty-nine bodies have now been re-
t overed.

" to7day the tide was very low, and it Was possible
to walk on the fallen girders from south to north for a
distance of some 600 ft. or 700 ft. Diving operations
were carried on at the bridge to ascertain the exact
Position of the remainder of the submerged girders.
"The bcdies of David Cunningham and Robert
P9wliB were interred to•day in Kilmany churchyard,
Fifeshire. The two young men were of the same ago,
were companions in boyhood, served their apprentice-
ehip together as masons worked and lodged together,
died together, and have' now been buried beside each
other. The funeral of William Peebles, late land
steward in Inverneseshire, also took place to-day. A
lady's umbrella was taken from the river this after-
noon."

The relief fund now amounts to £3,870. On Mon-
day a meeting of the Dundee Harbour Trustees was
held. Provost Brownlee, who presided, explained that
he had called the meeting because there was is proposal
on the part of the North British Railway Company to
ask Parliament to suspend the standing orders to
enable theta to introduce a Bill next session for there-
Construction of the bridge, and he desired an expression
Of opinion from the members of the Board which might
be useful to the railway company and strengthen their
hands. Plans of the proposed reconstruction had
been drawn; and, so far as he could make out from a
description of them given by Mr. Waddell, contractor
to the company, it was proposed to build the fallen •
piers of brick up to the height of the underside of ths
girders which are standing on each Bide; that the
Spans be bowstring girders, that the rails run 17ft,
above the lower boom, and that all the piers be stayed
by malleable iron stays tixed to malleable iron piles,
one either side of the bridge. After some conversa-
tion the following motion was unanimously passed
"That the Harbour Trustees desire to record their sense
of the great and dreadful calamity which occurred on the
evening of Sunday, the 28th ult., by the fall of the centre
Portion of the Tay-bridge, along with a passenger train
Which was passing over it, and to express their deep sym-
pathy with the relatives and friends of the sufferers. That
regarding the Tay. bridge as forming an essential part of the
great route of railway communication by the east coast be-
twixt England and Scotland, and as of the utmost import-
ance to the town and trade of Dundee, especially as regards the
facilities thereby afforded for the transmission of traffic to
and tram the harbour, this meeting would express their
earnest hope that the directors of the North British Railway
Company would without delay proceed to take steps for the
reconstruction of the bridge with a double line of rails, and
that the Harbour Trustees would be prepared to consider
aavonrably a plan for its reconstruction at a considerably
aower level than the present."
It was agreed to vpte £lOO to the relief fund.

An idea of the immense destruction of property
caused by the accideut may be formed from the fact
that fully 300 loads of wreckage have been already
collected on the beach seven India btlow Dundee.
By the time that the whole of the Mils hem been
Sathered together, there will be about 400 loath!, The

greater portion has been piled at the North British
Railway Company's _pier at Brought; Ferry. All the
wood of which the carriages were composed, including
the roofs, doors &o.,have been despatched to the
North British Railway Company's works at Glasgow.