The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-20 00:00:00

CANADA.

OTTAWA, MAT 9.
The Canadian House of Commons has appro-
priated 1,000,000 i. for fortifications.

SINiitLAR AFFAIR IS BIIROPSUIRE.—The mono-
tony of daily life in Shropshire is just now considerably
enlivened by the gossip arising out of an incident of which
the following is a brief recital :--A shorttime ago a gentle-
man named Wells, a Wolverhampton ironmaater, pur-
chased an estate at Eaton Mascott, near Shrewsbury, to
which he subsequently added some land adjoining the pro-
perty of the Hon. and use. Noel Hill, rector of Barring-
ton, and brother of Lord Berwick. This laud lies imme-
diately before the rectory, and a few weeks ago Mr. Wells
took it into his head to build two small cottages as near
Se the rectory as possible, and with the back premises
directly opposite the front windows of Mr. Hill's reel-
denoe, and in full view thereof. As there is no highway
or other road near the site, or any probable reason why Mr.
WeUa should select that particular spot for building cot-
tages upon, it wat generally believed that he had done it
simply " out of spite," and the popular feeling was very
strong against him. On Wednesday last the twin
aor.s of Mr. Hill, the elder of whom is heir
presumptive to the title and estates of his uncle, Lord
Berwick, came of age, and the occasion was made one of
great rejoicing by the tenantry and neighbours, upwards of
500 r. being subscribed to the celebration fend. Amongst
other festive gatherings a 'nucleon was given on the lawn
in front of the rectory, followed by a hall, at which about
1100 persons were present. Mr. Wells' unfinished cottages
standing alone in the middle of a green field form, as has
been stated, a prominent feature in the otherwise beautiful
landscape ; and the circumstances under which they had
been erected were freely discussed by the oompany, and,
singular to relate, it was discovered on the following
morning that the walls had been pulled down. A strict
inquiry is bring prosecuted, with a view to identifying the
offenders and bringing them to justice ; but though the
secret must be known to a large number of persons, it
has hitherto been faithfully kept. In the meanwhile,
Mr. Wells has commenced to rebuild the cottages.
REMARK AISLE MIRAGE AT DOVE:IR.—A mirage
was strikingly conspicuous on Sunday afternoon and even-
ing at Dover. The dome of the cathedral nod Napoleon's
Pillar at Boulogne were to be seen from the Crescent-walk
by the naked eye, but with a telescope of ordinary power
the entrance of the port, its lighthouse, its shipping, and
the surrounding houses, the valley of the hill aide of Cape-
cure, and the little fishing village of Portvl were distinctly
visible ; whilst on the eastern side the principal features of
the country, the lighthouse of Cape Griner, the adjacent
windmill, numerous farms and villages, with their win.
dews illuminated by the setting sun, stood out with extra-
ordinary clearness. Whilst these were under observation
a locomotive was seen to leave Boulogne, and travel some
miles in the Cahill direction by its puffs and wreaths of
white steam. Shortly after sunset the mirage subsided.—
Doter Chronicle.

THE New RICHMOND AND CITY RAILWAY. —At
Richmond, u well as aloog the entire route of this new
liar, much progress has been made in the works. The
new station for the service of the railway adjoins • portion
of the old Bouth Westera station, end its front will face the
Kew.road. The arrival and departure platforms and
other parts of the works are being well pushed forward.
ADMIRALTY, MAY 19. APPOINTMENTS.—Sub-
Lieutenant Marotaduke L. Hallam, to the Gnat.
GREENCASTLE, MAY 19. —The Canadian steamer
Hibernian, from Quebec on the 9th inst., has arrived here.
She landed "WU and pas urgers, and proceeded -for
LivorpooL •
Honest' MAIL.—MESAINA MAY 9.—The Mae-
.tn. passed Messina at 2 p.m. to:dag, en route kir Mar-
Halm Malta, May 19.—The Poonab, with the heavy
portion of the aborts mail, left at 7 p.m. today for Routh.
aas=where akietimay be looked for about the 28th inst.
ARD Miner blex.. —MALTA, MAY 19.
The lisseslees from Boutbempton, May 9, strived at
a in., and left at 8 p.m. yesterday for Alexandria.
FLEA Sole roaDoos.—Naldire's Tablet destroys
nests, closeout Me its, remorse sll we% Ores Riethlsr, to
eire6. Free tress ponce,
~—Prese .• of all cherolraa. MAIM*
Monday and Beta, IenHISSOINHOOL—(Advere/MINICS)