The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-10 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE HARVEST.

The past week has been slightly broken in point
of weather. Showers have fallen partially,but only sufficient
to impart to such few fermata as had not completely finished
harvest a timely hint to bring their operations to a close
without further delay. Practically speaking. harvest is now
completed in this district, and the result, so far as yet as-
certained, appears entirely to bear out the views so generally
expressed of late that the wheat, though presenting
many unusually and remarkably fine samples in
point of sire and quality, will not amount to
a full average crop. The yield on the well-farmed and
good lands, however satisfactory, will be " pulled down"
by the prevalence of thin plant on other soils. One great
and du,tiuctive feature of the present crop is its early ma-
turity in point of fitness for market and the miller. It is
rare to find corn so early ready for grinding as is the case
this year. Our farmers have in this respect an advantage;
and it is fortunate that it is so, fur they have far so lona
thus dragged along without being able to take any produce
to market, that the ability to turn their wheat into
money at a ,fair price will prove an important accom-
modation. Barley and cats are in the majority of instances
• gond crop, and both have been got up in fint-rate con-
dition. Oata aro remarkably tine this year, and few farmers
bare clause to find fault, either with quality or quantity.
Beans and peas have varied a good deal, but on the whole
have turned out vastly liott,r than was anticipated at one
period. Taking the harvest altogether, the result is highly
satisfactory. A finer time for it, it would be impossible to
wish for, for the heat has not been overpowering, but
I agreeably tempered by iefreahiug breezes, and harvest work
Las been carried on from first to last almost without break
or interruption.—Ssmse.c Adrcetiar.

THE BRAEDIAJI GATHEEINO.—Thin, the moot im-
of the so-adlsd Highland gatherings, took place in
rrostia:gof Braemar Castle on Thursday last. For • num-
ber of years back a great attraction to the gathering has
been the presence of her Majesty, Balmoral Castle being
within an easy drive of the place of meeting. Tourists also
"doing Scotland" generally contrive to make their route
include Braemar during the week of the pines, ready and
pleasant aid towards this cud beiug afforded by a run for a
greeter portion of the journey from Aberdeen by one of the
most beautiful lines of rade ay in the kingdom—the Dee-
side. This year, however, the numerous spectate,s had to
regret the absence of the Queen and Prince Consort, but the
Princess Alice, along with Prince Alfred, Prince Leopold.
and Prince Arthur were present, as were also, from Bal-
moral, Prince Louis of Hesse. 'General Grey, Sir Charles
Wood, Sir Charles and Miss Phipps, Lad Churchill, tic.
The noble party seemed much interested In the strength
of arm and lightness of foot displayed by the stalwart
highlooders who contested for superiority in tossing the
caber putting the stone, throwing the hammer, racing,
and dancing—though. singularly enough, • comparatively
small, but firmly-knit lowlander, lloaald Ginnie of
Aboyne, holds the champion medal of Useable. Donald
is quite a model athlete, being a. like Moodie in build as it
is possible to conceive. Ou the terrace, beside the royal
visitors, were distinguished parties from Mar Lodge and In-
vercauld House, including the Fort and Countess of Fife,
Lord Maoduff, Lord and Lady Braybrooke, Lord Powers.
croft, Lord Huntiogfield, Lady fitanielleld, Mr. and Mrs.
Farqubarsoo, Colonel Farquharson, Earl and Countess of
Qimperdown, Lord and Lady Tredecar Sit Thomas and
Lady Gladstone, &c. The day was favourable for the meet-
ing,and everything pealed off welL
THE IMPONITION ON SOMZDAZT FARMER!.—Par-
ticulars have already bees given of a gross case of fraud
practises' by 'lolllllm cattk dealer on Somer.etshire farmers,
he having purchased stock of them to the value of 1,200/..
paying by cheques, which have since been dishonoured, and
selling the stock in Islington Market, and pocketing the
proceeds. On Saturday he was brought up at the Taunton
Police-court, having horn apprehended on the day previous
in Exeer. Sweetly any money was found upon him ; but
it has been ascertained that the whole of the proceeds of
the sale of the sheep has found its way into a bank at
Exeter. Ha gave the name of John Windsat, cattle dealer,
York-terrace, New eattle•market, Holloway, London. Some
preliminary evidence having been given, be was remanded
for a week, in order to complete the numerous charges
against him, and to procure the attendance of witnesses
from a distauce.
V1CA.E101.73 PUNIRHMENT.—A man named Le-
grain, a mushroom grower, was, sorer time since eon.demeed to ,two cloys imprisonment for some
trifling
offence, and as he bad to undergo his punishment at •
moment when his mushroom crop required particular
attention, he offered a man named Bourdon 251 r. to go to
prison in his stead. Beurdon consented, and passed two
days in St. Pelagie, but after his liberation, be talked of
what he had done, and the fact came to the care of the
police, and as Bolrden had signed a priper in Leashes
lomat both of them were indicted as principal and accom-
plice in forging a public document. At the trial, which
took plain on Saturday, before the Court of Aube' of the
Seine, both the accused protested that they had meant so
harm, sod did not know that their °Deduct was illegal.
The jury seemed to admit this defence, for they acquitted
them both.