The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-27 00:00:00

FIELD FIRES.

Tun common practice of carelessly throwing
away, without extinguishing, the match or fusee
with which a pipe or cigar has been lighted, will
frequently lead to serious consequences should the
present hot dry weather continue. On Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday, the grass in several large
fields near Whetstone, between the Colney Hatch
and Barnet stations of the Great Northern Rail-
way, was entirely consumed by fire. In ordinary
summers a grass-fire does not spread to any
considerable extent, but in the present
season such conflagrations are only re-
stricted by incombustible barriers. Even hedges
are just now so sapless as to feed rather than stay
the flame, two such fences being insufficient at
Whetstone to prevent three consecutive fields
falling a prey. A broad road recently made
by a building society prevented extension of the
fire in one case, and prompt removal of a portion
of a hedge in another. Had not these fires been
thus extinguished, they would soon have sur-
rounded some valuable hayricks. Yields which
have been on fire present a peculiar appearance,
the grass not being burnt to a grey or red ash, but
only to charcoal. The body of fire at any
One spot
would seem to be insufficient to favour
thorough combustion—the siliceoue coating of the
stems of grass possibly also preventing that free
access of air necessary for the complete burning of
the charred material. To see every trace of green
in his fields replaced by brown was enough before
to produce concern in the mind of the farmer;
to prevent the brown being turned into black will
now demand his utmost vigilance. Farm labourers,
loiterers, and persons using footpaths should
observe extreme care in igniting or extinguishing
their pipes or cigars, and railway companies may
be expected to adopt every reasonable precaution
likely to prevent burning coals escaping from the
furnaces of their engines.

An official programme of her M•raerr's journey
through France appears in the Paris journals.
According to this the QUI= will arrive in Cher-
bourg on the evening of August 6, and will leave
immediately for Paris, which she will reach at six
o'clock in the morning. She will spend that day
in seeing Paris, and will be privately received
by the Empress. At half-past 7 • special train
will convey her IdAnurrY and suite to Geneva.
The most complete incognito will be observed.
No apparent preparation will be made at the
railway stations, and no official authority or depu-
tation will be admitted to the presence of the
illustrious traveller.

Cite etrurt.

MORITA Joie 26.

The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon,
accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Coburg and
Princess Louis of Hems. Her Majesty and the royal
family walked in the grounds this morning.
The Due and Duchess of Coburg took have of her
Majesty to-day on their return to the Continent. Their
royal highnesses were accompanied to Trinity Pies, East
Cowes, by Prince Arthur, Prince Louis; of Hesse, and
Prince Christian. Major-General Francis Seymour, C. 8.,
and Major Von Rinke, were in attendance upon the Duke
and Duchess of Coburg.

Prince Arthur, attended by Colonel Elphinstone, arrived
at Osborne yesterday from Chatham.

JULY Vi.

The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accompanied
by Princes' Christian.

Prince and Princess Louis of Reese, Princess Louise,
Prince Arthur, and Prince Christian. also drove, and
Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice walked in the
grounds.:
The royal family attended divine service at Osborne this
morning.
The Rev. George Prothero officiated.
The Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting were in }Mend-
MOS.

The Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli arrived at Osborne
yesterday, and had the honour of dining with the Queen
and the royal family.
Him Bowatea has arrived at Osborne.

The Prince of Wales, acanapanied by the Dube ef
Edinburgh, and attended by Colonel hares, Oripteds
Ins; and the Hon. Viet Yorke, weed be Wimbledon en
Saturday, and wan present at the yoked.. review.
♦ committee of the Lords of her Majesty, Meet Boa.
Pitvy Cloand met on Friday ea mat.= seat to the
cattle playa. The lords preesss vemi—the Lard Pee&
dent, Lord Hobert Mont*" sad Oehosei tie Ai& Us.
Mica Puttees.

DeepateLeo were teethed ea &towlap at the Colestal-
take beat the governors el the aye et Geed Bops,
Netel, sad et. Bekaa. Deepatehee woe teat to lie
Governer-General of Cemacte, sod Se tie peenteee et
British Oelembta and Malta

The Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Oobure and
mite, attended by Major-Gang Preside Seymoue,
C.D., 7.41uen7 to bar ataiwBY, arrived as tie Palace
Hotel, Baokingbam-gate, on Saturday afternoon from
Meeting the Queen at Osborne. After dating, the Duke
and Dueller left for Dover at 8 p.m. on them Mum to
Germany. _ _ _

The Archbishop of York and Mrs. Thomson
have left their residence in Grosvenor-place for Bishops-
Morpe, near York.

Tim Duke and Duchess of Richmond will en-
tertain a numerous and distinguished party at Goodwood
House during the week for the races.

The Duch of Buceleo& and the LArliee
Margaret and Mary Scott have left Montagu House
for Hiseengen. The duke ham gone to Dalkeith House,
near Edinburgh.

Viscount Caatleroese, M.P., has gone to his seat
in Ireland. Her ladyship has gone visiting.
Lord and Lady Walter Scott have left town for
Switzerland.