The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-31 00:00:00

A RAILWAY ADVENTURE.

Some time ago a lady, while on her way from Scotland
to Dresden with her two daughters and their governess,
met with the following curious adventure :—A few hours
before reaching their destination, the train stopped to
allow passengers to partake of refreshments. At this
time We ladies, not intending to move, were politely in-
vited by a gentleman from another compartment to alight,
but declining to do so he offered to bring them something
from the refreshment -room. The lady not wishing to be
indebted to a stranger, and, besides, not liking his appear-
ance, preferred that she and her party should, like the
other travellers, go by themselves. Having ordered an
extra cup of coffee, in case any of her party should wish
it, she was a little annoyed by the stranger coming to
their table and requesting to be allowed to take the dis-
engaged cup. Of course the lady could not refuse.
The stranger walked away and drank the coffee at an-
other table. In the meantime the lady, forgetting all
about him, paid for what she had ordered. A few minutes
afterwards he again came forward, and, thanking her, laid
down the price of his coffee. As they had still some little
time to wait ere the train started, the lades, accompanied
by this officious gentleman, walked up and down the plat-
form till the bell should ring. The ladies, returning to weir
seats, and being the sole occupants of a first class compart-
ment, did not well know how to get rid of their companion
without appearing rude, especially as he seemed desirous of
being invited to take his seat beside them. Fortunately
the wind solved the difficulty by slamming the door imme-
diately on their being seated, and they flattered them-
selves that they were now freed from hie attentions. At
the next station, however, he again turned up, and ear-
nestly begged to be allowed to take his seat beside them, as
it was now getting dark,. and he felt so lonely. Mrs
courteously consented to his wish, knowing, of
course, that she had no power to prevent his getting in.
The train had no sooner moved off than the stranger pre-
sented his card, and immediately began rattling away at a
complete history .f himself and his travels, mentioning that
he had his eyes on the ladies' party for a considerable time.
We may mention that the guard had been very attentive to
Mrs. and her daughters during the fore part of the
journey, and had frequently inquired after their comfort,
but since being joined by the stranger they had not again
seen him. To their dismay, the man told them that the
cause of the guard's non appearance for a length of time
was his having drugged him freely with strong liquor to
keep him out of the way. Mrs. —'s suspicions were
now thoroughly aroused, whilst her daughters and
their companion sat trembling, and fervently wish-

ing they were at their journey's end. Still talking inces-
santly, and the darkness increasing, he struck a light, and,
stooping dowa, took from his portmanteau a six-barrelled
revolver, which he informed the ladies was his only luggage.
They were hotrified ; but Mrs. - with admirable pre-
sence of mind, feigned a curiosity to examine the dangerous
weapon, blandly saying that she took a great interest in the
mechanism of fire-arms, and would like to look at it more
closely. Unsuspectingly he handed it to her, when she,
finding it loaded, immediately thrust it out of the window,
still holding it firmly in her right hand, indignantly telling
the fellow that he was a villain to terrify the ladies in such
a manner, and that he deserved the most severe punish-
ment. Astonished at the unexpected intrepidity of the lady
his former rattling loquacity completely forsook him, and

he sat mute till they reached the terminus, which they were
now rapidly approaching. Unfortunately their meagre ac-
quaintance with the language of the country prevented them
doing more than simply making known to the railway,
officials the imminent danger they had escaped. The culprit
had meanwhile v.nished in the crowd; but faithful pro-
mises were given that immediate steps should be taken to
discover and apprehend him. The reader will not be surprised
that the terrified ladies on reaching their hotel burst into
tears, and fervently thanked God for their providential
escape. It will probably be recollected that, about two
years ago, a great sensation was caused throughout Europe
by a French nobleman having 'been shot and robbed in a
railway carriage. These facts, which have only recently
been made known to us, occurring shortly before, lead us to
suspect that there is a close connection between the two
events.—Caledonian Mercury.

The Archaeological Institute of Great Bri-
tain and Ireland,

On Wednesday evening a special meeting of the Se,stion
of History was held in the County-hall, Rochester, un ter
the pre3iden( y of the Very Rev. the Dean of Chichester,
when there was again a numerous attendance. The first
paper was read by Mr. W. B. Rye,assistant keeper of printed
books at the British Museum, on " Visits to Rochester and
Chatham by Royal and Distinguished Personages,English
and Foreign, between the years 1300 and 1733." In the
description of the Royal and other visits paid to Rochester,
Mr. Rye gave interesting details of the visits of Edward,
Henry V., Henry VIII., Queen Elizabeth, James I.,King
Christian IV., Prince Henry, the King of Bohemia,Charles
I. and 11., Peter the Great, Hogarth, and De. Johnson, the
last-mentioned of whom spent some time in the city a short
period before his death. After an interesting discussi non
the subject of the paper, in which the names of other Royal
and illustrious personages were given as having visited the
city prior to the period not included in Mr. Rye's papor,the
Rev. J. L, Warner read a paper on " Some hitherto unpub-
lished passages in the life of John Warner, Bishop of
Rochester." This estimable prelate lived in the early por-
tion of the 17th century, and was chiefly distinguished
for his uncompromising fidelity to the Royal cause, and
remarkable as being almost the only bishop who held his
see both before and after the Commonwealth. Yesterday
the members of the Institute proceeded by special train
from Rochester to Sevenoaks, and the day was occupied
in visiting the Mote, at Ightham, the residence of Luard ;
St. Leonard's Tower, the ruins of Malting Abbey, and
Leybourne Castle and Church. By special invitation of
the Marquis Camden, president of the Institute, the
members partook of luncheon at Wilderness-park, the
hospitable mansion of the noble marquis. Last evening
a conversazione was held at the museum of the Institute,
Corn Exchange, which was attended by the principal
erase ilogists of the country, and most of the members
of the Institute. The programme for to-day (Friday) in-
cludes meetings of sections of history, antiquities, and
architecture at the Guildhall, at 10 o'clock ; after which
Prof. Willis will deliver a discourse on Rochester Cathedral,
at the termination of which he will accompany the visitors
in an examination of the structure, explaining its remark-
able features, conventual arrangements, &c. In the even-
ing the meeting of sections will be held in the County Court
Hall. To-morrow (Saturday) is set apart for a visit to
Leeds Castle, the hospitable Mansion of Mr. C. Wykeham
Martin, after which the Institute will visit Maidstone, and
inspect the fine old church—the architectnral features of
which will be explained by Mr. Beresford dlope—together
with the ancient college, Chillington House, the Charles
Museum,and the museum of the Kent A.rchmological Society.

FASHIONS FOR AUGUST.

(From Le Follet.)

In the same degree as the season advances, so the Telma
establishes itself with undoubted authority, and we expect,
that in another month it will reign almost exclusively. It
must of admitted that its form is equally convenient and
graceful.
The talma if often made of he same material as the dress,
or in white or black woollen lace, black taffetas, and even
tulle. The black lace talma must 13," trimmed with a gar-

niture of guipure. The tulle talma, so suitable for very
warm dap, is covered with several rows of caduated laces,
each headed with a narrow ruche or passemente:ie• Care
should be taken not make these frills to full.
Before writing about gauze dresses, which constitue, more
less, a visiting toilette, it is well to enter into some particu-
lars relative to la mode of the present time, the distinguish.
ing style of which is in some years the classical, in others
the picturesque.
The fashionables of this day have adopted the Louis XV.
style—the raised skirt over a coloured petticoat. The long
trains no longer sweep the dust or mud from our streets :
shoes, boots, and stockings, must, therefore, form an essen-
tial part of our toilette. Some ladies have been seen in Rus-
sian leather boots, laced up the front with leather tassels,
and high heels. The petticoats, also, should suit in colour
the dresses with which they are worn. The most useful
petticoat is of white English wool, with a band of bright
plaid.
Pardessus are made to fit the back, and open in front,
trimmed on the shoulder with floating ribbons, jockeys of
passementerie, black lace, or guipure.
Robe of taffetas, of the new shade of brown, trimmed with
insertions placed zigzag, and in each hollow a chou of nar
row brown velvet. Cursage a basque postillon, edged with
insertion. Sleeves with elbow. Bows of velvet on the front
of the body, and others up the seam of the sleeve, between
rows of insertion. Bonnet of crinoline, with crape curtain
covered with blace lace, Wheat-ears and corn, tied with
black velvet ribbon, and long floating ends of the same,
ornament one side of the crown.

Robe of corn-fl)wer blue taffetas, trimmed with pink
flounces, separated by broad chicorees. The body is trimmed
with narrow chicorees.

Robe of taffetas, in checks of black and white, trimmed
over the hem with a broad guipure insertion over white rib-
bon. The body is trimmed to match. Belgian straw bon-
net, with a fanchon of spotted black tulle, forming a Marie
Stuart point in front, trimmed with small rosebuds.
Robe of white takou, with a broad band of violet taffetas,
trimmed with a wide braid placed above the hem. Collet
to match. Crinoline bonnet, with curtain to match the
trimmings on the robe; tufts of violets,anemones, and green
grass, placed on the summit.
Robe of mohair,of the geratda shade, crossed with threads
of black. A goffered flounce, about 6 inches wide, with a
band of blue taffetas edged with black braid ; above this is
a row of pattes of taffetas, about 3 inches apart. The body
has a basque behind, and waistcoat front trimmed to imitate
an open jacket with ruches of the same material as the dress,
surmounted by an ornament of taffetas much narrower than
that on the skirt. Straw bonnet, trimmed with blue bells.
This last dress is suitable for a very young lady.
Another, of the same description, is of grey takou,
trimmed with five rows of black velvet above the hem.
The body trimmed to match, forming a postilion jacket.
The sleeves are cut with an elbow and drawn in at the bot-
tom. The collet is trimmed to match the dress.
An exceedingly pretty dress is of pale drab or lemon-
coloured mohair, trimmed with graduated velvets on the
bottom of the skirt and collet.
Narrow stripes and checks are not much used for young
ladies' dresses. lhe bodies are cut low and square in front,
with bouffant sleeves, and worn over a chemisette of tucked
muslin with puffed sleeves.
White dresses are much worn. Plain musline are made
with three goffered flounces, or one broader with a bouil-
lonne above, or, still more fashionably, with ornaments of
black guipure.
_ _

Muslin dresses over blue, lilac, or pink taffetas, are be-
coming quite in demand. These robes are made high, and
the camail, or scarf, is lined with the same colour as the
skirt. The bottom of the skirt is trimmed in various styles,
sometimes with fluted flounces with a heading, or with a
simple hem, an insertion of Valenciennes, or guipure mixed
with narrow frills of muslin. These robes of organdi,
lined with colours, are worn for carriage drives, wedding
visits, or evening dress. A broad sash of taff_tas, fringed
at the ends, is now worn with this toilette.
White alpacas, or foulard Shanghai, are trimmed with
coloured flounces, or braided in colours. Plaid taffetas is
also used as trimmings on white alpaca.
The burnous, the camail, and the paletot are made of the
same material as the dress. These should be accompanied
by the postillon hat of grey straw, with coloured feathers.
The organdi dresses over coloured silk are always worn
with rice-straw, crinoline, chip, tulle, crape, or Italian straw
bonnets, lightly and elegantly trimmed.
We have noticed a very elegant sea-side dress of leather-
coloured taffetas, trimmed with a band of real leather, with
steel edgings, below which was a deep fringe of thick silk,
nearly reaching the bottom of the skirt. The body, which
was ornamented with leather bands to match the skirt, was
opened over a waistcoat of plaited cambric, with a jabot of
lace placed on the edge of a rich insertion. Flat sleeves,
open to the elbow, trimmed to match. A leather purse, or-
namented with steel studs, was suspended to the leather
belt. A Coligny hat, of Italian straw, with the edge covered
with velvet of the same shade as the dress. A feather to
match, turned round one side, was attached to the crown
by a band of leather, fastened with steel clasps in front.
The following is very elegant and suitable for full dress.
A robe of mauve taffetas, trimmed on the skirt with bou-
quets of mauve and white feathers, mixed with chenille.
These bouquets appear to be fastened on the skirt by an in-
sertion of Chantilly lace, tied like a ribbon bow, a Louis
XV., at the bottom of each bouquet. The insertion is
edged with white taffetas. Corsage Senorita, open over a
plain body, buttoned up the front. A spiendid. burnous of
Chantilly lace is we
boronnnoevt, erttrhimisintoeidlewttiet,hwwhihcithe:sancdommplaeutevde
by a mauve crap
feathers and black lace.
Grenadines are much admired both for their excellence
and lightness.
A simple and elegant dress is composed of pearl-grey
taffetas, with long train, and the indispensable goflered frill
at bottom ; plain high body. and scarf of the same material,
with the plaits at the neck fastened down with ribbon bows,
and edged round with guipure ; a deep frill of guipure all
round tha scarf.
A second robe, of maize-coloured tussu Mexicain. The
bottom of the skirt is trimm d above the hem with a broad
insertion of antique guipure, placed over white taffetas. A
burnous of the same material, with an insertion all round ;
the hood composed of guipure, lined with white taffetas. The
tassels of floss silk are placed at distances up the coif, so as
to fall over the back of the hcad when raised. Shaded
feathers are much used as ornaments on bonnets. Flowers
are generally adopted.

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In diseases of the skin and its glands the functions of the
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mend Holloway's ointment and pills to the consideration of
all fellow-sufferers. Atter fomentation tae ointment should
be rubbed twice a day on the affected parts, The pills
should be taken while the unguent is applied—they assist,
in the work of purification, and facilitate the removal of all
poisonous and obnoxious :natters iron the body.