The Express.
London, England, 1868-06-09 00:00:00

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

The public announcement that Mr. Clement
Markham, the able secretary of the society, who has acted
as the accredited geographer of the Abyssinian expe-
dition, would communicate all his additional observations
on the country between Antalo and Magdala, at the
meeting last evening, attracted more than usually nume-
rous meeting of members at Burlington-house on the
occasion. The chair was taken by Sir R. MIINCIITION, end
aofPßJ:nrtrabyl DAriorlT leneYt'vin been
317,3 n the sciendtific explorations
gg
a new exploring expedition of a cost of 21,and odd,
extending over 31 years, in favour of which the president,
Professor Dr. Neumayer and others spoke, Mr. Mark-
ham proceeded to read papers beyond those previously
presented, detailing the observations made by him during
the AD • expedition. The country between Antalo
and said was a mountanous region
entirely composed of volcanic rock. Ha then des-
exited geologically the formation of the coun-
try, and geographically the direction of the
several water sheds, the mountain, passes and
plateause—also the character of the serious tribes of people
by which the region is inhabited. He particularly dwelt
upon the excellence of King Theodore's road, which he
said was thirty feet wide, and owed its origin entirely to
the ingenuity, and its execution to the personal energy
of that monarch, adding that but for that road our troops
would have been at least ten days longer in reaching
Magdala. He further gave the particulars of Theo-
dore'. camp, which was very extensive. but with-
out canvas; tenth the soldiers being housed in huts
or bowers constructed of the branches of trees. Magdala
itself was a mass of columnar basalt 9,080 feet above the
level of the sea, and had been founded and fortified by
Theodore as his principal stronghold, end there he retired
in the hope of making terms with the English, or, failing,
with the determination of closing his career AR be did. He
next described Theodore's attempt to capture Colonel
Pliers, the attack on the baggage, the action of
the 10th, and the defeat of the Abymmun army,
of which 800 were killed and ,500 wounded,
amongst them most of the leaders and great men
in Theodore's service. The particulars of Theodore's
endeavour to obtain peace without complying with
the demand to give up the prisoners and surrender
himself and his stronghold to his conquerors—his first
attempt upon his life the day after the first defeat—the
letter he sent to the English general, giving
an account of his life and policy, written when
he had abandoned all hope, and had resolved upon self-
destruction—the presents sent by him to the English camp
—the arrival therein of the prisoners—the curious a -
anee of the sun on the morning of the 13th, which the
English regarded as a good, and Theodore as a bad omen
—the bombardment of Magdala—the assault and termini
of the fortress, and the death of the •
in the gate, all of which have been fully descri
in the letters of our special correspondent, were given by
Mr. Markham in a very amusing manner, and ho con-
cluded by referring to the important geographical, geolo-
gical, meteorological, archmological, and other scientific
results of the expedition.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Markham was moved by the
President, and carried unanimously, which closed the
procce dings.

Of the twelve candidates ordained deacons by
the Bishop of Chester on Sunday only five, and of the
nine ordained priests four, were graduates.
THE FORTHCOMING VOLUNTEER REVIEW AT
Wnensoa.—Preparations have been commenced in Wind-
sor Great Park for the review of volunteers by her Ma-
jesty the Queen on Saturday, the 20th inst. The review
ground selected is the plateau of greensward between the
Long-walk and Queen Anne's Ride, one of the most pic-
turesque portions of the park. In addition, it is understood
that the meadow between the model cottages
and the Long-walk, where the Berkshire volun-
teers recently , will likewise be need.
The Queen on the day o the review will, it is understood,
leave Windsor Castle by the principal or south entrance,
and drive, under an escort of the household cavalry, down
the Long-walk to the park. The burgesses of Windsor
are making arrangements for the comfort of the thou-
sands of visitors expected, and refreshment booths are to
be erected in the park under certain regulations.
NATIONAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION.—The an-
nual meeting of this association was held yesterday at
their rooms, Charing-area ; Viscount Hardinge presiding.
The report for the past year was of a satisfactory nature.
and contained a recommendation of the committee that
the prize-shooting should in future be limited to one
week, on the ground of the difficulties and ex-
Cgeattending the members being away from
homes for a longer period. Earl Spencer
said it had been for some years the practice of the National
Rifle Association, of which he was president, togivecertain
carbine prizes, but as that weapon was one which entirely
belonged to the artillery branch of the services it was the
uttentaon of the Council of the Rifle Association to trans-
fer thotre prises to the Artillery Association henceforward,
and they would be shot for at Shoelinryneas instead of at
Wimbledon. The Earl of Limerick announced that le
should give the same prize to be shot for on the forth-
coming es on the last occasion ; and after the election of
officers and the transaction of some other routine busineei
the prf ceedings terminated.
THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCLA-
now.—The regulations reeyecting the forthcoming
camp and rifle gathering on Wimbledon-oommon have been
leaned. The tramp is to be under the command of Colonel
the Hon. W. Colville, and will be ready for occupation
on the 1 lth of July, the shooting of the prize meeting com-
mencing on Monday, the 13th.
THE SOUTH LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.
Mr. Stare lii‘Arthur, in presiding at the annual dinner
of this institution at Willis's Booms, last evening, made
an earnest appeal for increased subscriptions towards its
maintenance. At least 1,0004 required before the hoopital
can be placed upon an efficient basis. Amongst the
gentlemen present were—Mr. J. Z. Laurence, the talented
surgeon of the hospital • Mr. E. Mills, the hard-working
secretai y ; Mr. T. Lambert, the treasurer; Mr. Chubb,
Az. The ineselees of the evening were interspersed with
more than usually good singing by Miss Julia Derby,
Mira Annie Cox, Mr. Chaplin Henry, and Mr. James, with
Mr. F. Kingsbury as accompanyist and director.
locoman AOCMENT TO A DIVER.—A man calling
himself Profaner Lubin dived, or rather jumped, from a
platform on the pier at Weston-super-Mare. on Saturday,
from a height of a hundred feet. It is said that be per-
formed the feet in mortal terror, and under the influent*
of drink. He fell into the water on his side, and was
taken out insensible by some prima swi=eraborat,
Ha sustained internal injuries of a serious
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